Clinical brightening efficacy and safety of Melasolv™ (3,4,5‐trimethoxy cinnamate thymol ester, TCTE) in Southeast Asian women

Abstract

Background Skin darkening because of increased and irregular synthesis of melanin causes melasma, solar lentigo, and freckles. Melasolv™, produced in the early 2000s, shows potent depigmenting effect and has low cytotoxicity. It has been used as a brightening agent in cosmetics for decades. Aims This study was conducted to investigate whether Melasolv™ is effective for the skin of ASEAN (Southeast Asia) women. Methods We recruited ASEAN women in Singapore and divided them into two groups (active group vs. placebo group). Melasolv™ and placebo formulations were applied twice a day for 12 weeks. The changes in the pigmented spots were visually evaluated by an expert and assessed using a spectrophotometer and Mexameter at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Results The visual evaluation revealed significant improvements, in both size and color intensity, in the active group compared with those in the placebo group at 12 weeks. In the spectrophotometric evaluation, the L* value of the pigmented spots in the active group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group at 12 weeks. Similar results were obtained in the evaluation using the Mexameter. After 12 weeks, the melanin index of the pigmented spots significantly decreased, and it was significantly higher than that in the placebo group. There was no significant change in the erythema index. In the image analysis, there were no significant differences in skin color brightness and evenness in the active group compared with those in the placebo group. Conclusion Melasolv™ can be effective used for skin brightening.

Melasma hyperpigmentation: An overview of current topical therapeutics

“…160 Similarly, the melanin index showed a statistically significant reduction in subjects treated with TCTE only (240.312 ± 54.159 to 228.710 ± 54.849, p < 0.05). 160 Orchid extract has antioxidant, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory properties and is commonly used in cosmeceutical products. 161 In a split-face, 8-week study of 48 Japanese female volunteers with facial dyschromia including melasma and lentigo senilis, twice daily 5% orchid extract was compared to 3% vitamin C. 162 The study reported that at the conclusion of treatment, both orchid extract and vitamin C treated volunteers had comparable improvements in dyschromia.…”

“…160 At the conclusion of the study, visual improvement in size and color of the facial pigmentation was seen in the TCTE-treated group compared to placebo. 160 Similarly, the melanin index showed a statistically significant reduction in subjects treated with TCTE only (240.312 ± 54.159 to 228.710 ± 54.849, p < 0.05). 160 Orchid extract has antioxidant, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory properties and is commonly used in cosmeceutical products.…”

“…Cinnamates are derivatives of cinnamic acid and are known to exert antioxidant and antimicrobial actions 159 . In a 12‐week, randomized, double‐blinded trial of 63 Asian female subjects with facial pigmentation comparing 0.1% lotion containing trimethoxy cinnamate thymol ester (TCTE) with placebo 160 . At the conclusion of the study, visual improvement in size and color of the facial pigmentation was seen in the TCTE‐treated group compared to placebo 160 .…”

“…In a 12‐week, randomized, double‐blinded trial of 63 Asian female subjects with facial pigmentation comparing 0.1% lotion containing trimethoxy cinnamate thymol ester (TCTE) with placebo 160 . At the conclusion of the study, visual improvement in size and color of the facial pigmentation was seen in the TCTE‐treated group compared to placebo 160 . Similarly, the melanin index showed a statistically significant reduction in subjects treated with TCTE only (240.312 ± 54.159 to 228.710 ± 54.849, p < 0.05) 160 …”

Erythematous reactions to two ultraviolet excimer therapy devices with different irradiance levels: Reconsidering the reciprocity law

“…To clinically verify differences in the erythematous reaction in this study, we measured the change in EI depending on the irradiance for the same irradiation dose by using a melanin/erythema-measuring instrument for primary evaluation, [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] as well as the change in erythema values by using a spectrophotometer 25 and dermoscope for secondary pilot evaluations. 4 EI obtained by melanin/erythema-measuring devices is widely used to objectively and quantitatively evaluate the shade of erythema occurring in the skin.…”