Topical 10% Zinc Sulfate Solution for Treatment of Melasma

Abstract

BACKGROUND Multiple modalities have been used in the treatment of melasma, such as bleaching agents, chemical peels, and antioxidants. Topical zinc sulfate has peeling and antioxidant effects. OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical 10% zinc sulfate solution in the treatment of melasma. PATIENTS & METHODS This study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology & Venereology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital. Twenty‐eight patients with melasma were treated with 10% zinc sulfate solution. Every patient was instructed to apply the formula twice daily and to be seen every 2 weeks for 2 months. The severity of melasma was assessed before, during, and after treatment with the melasma area and severity index (MASI). All patients were instructed to apply a broad‐spectrum sunscreen with SPF>30 before sun exposure during treatment and for the 3‐month follow‐up period. RESULTS Fourteen patients were treated with 10% zinc sulfate solution. The mean MASI score before treatment was 9.45, which changed to 4.70 after therapy. This corresponds to a percentage improvement of 49.78% and was statistically significant (p<.0005). No side effects were reported apart from a mild stinging sensation reported in a few patients. Most patients maintained improvement 3 months after cessation of therapy. CONCLUSION Topical 10% zinc sulfate solution is a new effective, safe, and noncostly formulation in the treatment of melasma.

Topical Therapy of Acute Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Using Zinc Sulphate Solution 25% versus Podophyllin Solution 25%

“…Topical zinc sulphate had been used successfully in the treatment of a wide variety of skin disorders such as: plane warts [36], recurrent herpes simplex [37], superficial fungal infection [38], melasma [39], and others. Intralesional zinc sulphate had also been used effectively for basal cell carcinoma [40] and in treatment of CL with (97.8%) cure rate [8].…”

Gazelle Eye like Facial Melanosis (Clinico-Histopathological Study)

“…Gazelle eye like facial melanosis although is not un common pigmentory problems among Iraqi population but unfortunately often confused and mixed up either with melasma especially dermal type [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] or with frictional melanosis [13][14][15].…”

“…The skin is darkly pigmented thickened In addition there is not uncommon facial pigmentation that is locally known as Gazelle eye like facial melanosis that is commonly encountered in clinical practice but often misdiagnosed and commonly confused with melasma and does not respond to ordinary therapy options for melasma [1][2][3]6,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

“…It could be defined as chronic disfiguring dermatological disease of females and males ,although much more common among females that appear during the active reproductive period with the presence of provoking factors like hormonal changes and sunlight that induce brown hyperpigmentation of the face .This may take many shapes but much more commonly a butterfly and a mask appearance [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

“…The management of this type of facial pigmentation is often very difficult as all bleaching agents might give only temporary relieving effects [1][2][3][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]16]. Accordingly, we suggest doing deep dermabrasion as an effective mode of therapy for this condition similar to the dermabrasion that could be carried out for dermal melasma which is resistant to the standard treatments [29].…”