Abstract:
Melasma is hyperpigmentation of the skin resulting from an increased level of
melanin. It results in the formation of dark brown or grayish brown spots. It is more
common in women and can have a psychological impact on their lives. Melasmatreatment aims to lighten the lesions and reduce the affected areas and the treatment
can be pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Pharmacological treatment
commonly uses hydroquinone, corticosteroids and tranexamic acid topically, being
used as monotherapy or associated with azelaic acid, tretinoin and alpha
betahydroxy acid. Non-pharmacological treatments include photoprotectors, lasers,
microneedling and chemical peeling. This study sought to analyze the treatment
pathways for melasma in human skin, identify current drug and non-drug therapies
for the treatment of melasma. An integrative review of the literature on melasma and
current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments was carried out. The
collection was carried out through books, articles and periodicals in a database.
According to the literature reviews carried out in this study, treatments with ablative
and non-ablative lasers are effective in treating melasma. The combination of the use
of lasers with microneedling and vitamin C can enhance melasma treatment, bringing
better effectiveness. The knowledge and learning of health professionals who are
involved in melasma treatments is extremely important, and they must always remain
up to date in theoretical and practical courses to provide effective and safe
treatments for their patients.
