Comparison of Efficacy of Oral Tranexamic Acid Versus Glycolic Acid Peels in the Treatment of Melasma

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of oral tranexamic acid versus glycolic acid peels in the treatment of epidermaland mixed-pattern melasma.Methodology: A total of 88 patients, aged 20 to 50 years, diagnosed with epidermal or mixed-pattern melasma, wereassigned to two treatment groups based on their treatment choice or eligibility criteria. Group A received oraltranexamic acid (250 mg twice daily), and Group B underwent 50% glycolic acid peels every two weeks for 12 weeks.MASI scores were recorded at baseline and at 12 weeks to assess the extent of improvement, and side effects weremonitored.Results: The baseline MASI score for all patients was 14.74 (SD = 3.09). At 12 weeks, the mean MASI score significantlydecreased to 2.45 (SD = 1.70). Both groups showed substantial improvements in MASI scores. Group A had a meanMASI score of 15.5 at baseline, which reduced to 3.2, while Group B showed a mean reduction from 14.9 to 4.8.Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in efficacy between the two treatments (p-value =0.05).Conclusion: Both oral tranexamic acid and glycolic acid peels are effective in treating melasma, with comparableresults. Future studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up are recommended to assess long-term outcomes and potential combination therapies.Keywords: Glycolic acid peels; MASI score; Melasma; Oral tranexamic acid; Treatment efficac