McKesey J, Tovar-Garza A, Pandya AG (2020) Melasma Treatment: an evidence-based review. Am J Clin Dermatol 21(2):173–225

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Neagu N, Conforti C, Agozzino M, Marangi GF, Morariu SH, Pellacani G, Persichetti P, Piccolo D, Segreto F, Zalaudek I et al (2022) Melasma treatment: a systematic review. J Dermatolog Treat 33(4):1816–1837

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Del Rosario E, Florez-Pollack S, Zapata L Jr., Hernandez K, Tovar-Garza A, Rodrigues M, Hynan LS, Pandya AG (2018) Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of oral tranexamic acid in the treatment of moderate-to-severe melasma. J Am Acad Dermatol 78(2):363–369

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Torbeck RL, Schilling L, Khorasani H, Dover JS, Arndt KA, Saedi N (2019) Evolution of the Picosecond laser: a review of literature. Dermatol Surg 45(2):183–194

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Wong CSM, Chan MWM, Shek SYN, Yeung CK, Chan HHL (2021) Fractional 1064 nm Picosecond Laser in Treatment of Melasma and skin rejuvenation in asians, a prospective study. Lasers Surg Med 53(8):1032–1042

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Feng J, Shen S, Song X, Xiang W (2023) Efficacy and safety of picosecond laser for the treatment of melasma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lasers Med Sci 38(1):84

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Searle T, Ali FR, Al-Niaimi F (2022) The versatility of azelaic acid in dermatology. J Dermatolog Treat 33(2):722–732

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Baliña LM, Graupe K (1991) The treatment of melasma. 20% azelaic acid versus 4% hydroquinone cream. Int J Dermatol 30(12):893–895

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Verallo-Rowell VM, Verallo V, Graupe K, Lopez-Villafuerte L, Garcia-Lopez M (1989) Double-blind comparison of azelaic acid and hydroquinone in the treatment of melasma. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh) 143:58–61

CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Dayal S, Sahu P, Dua R (2017) Combination of glycolic acid peel and topical 20% azelaic acid cream in melasma patients: efficacy and improvement in quality of life. J Cosmet Dermatol 16(1):35–42

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Malik F, Hanif MM, Mustafa G (2019) Combination of oral tranexamic acid with topical 3% tranexamic acid versus oral tranexamic acid with topical 20% azelaic acid in the treatment of Melasma. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 29(6):502–504

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Pandya AG, Hynan LS, Bhore R, Riley FC, Guevara IL, Grimes P, Nordlund JJ, Rendon M, Taylor S, Gottschalk RW et al (2011) Reliability assessment and validation of the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) and a new modified MASI scoring method. J Am Acad Dermatol 64(1):78–83 83.e71-72

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Abdel Hay R, Mohammed FN, Sayed KS, Abd El Fattah NA, Ibrahim S (2020) Dermoscopy as a useful tool for evaluating melasma and assessing the response to 1064-nm Q-switched nd:YAG laser. Dermatol Ther 33(4):e13629

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Ardigo M, Cameli N, Berardesca E, Gonzalez S (2010) Characterization and evaluation of pigment distribution and response to therapy in melasma using in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy: a preliminary study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 24(11):1296–1303

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Chung JY, Lee JH, Lee JH (2016) Topical tranexamic acid as an adjuvant treatment in melasma: side-by-side comparison clinical study. J Dermatolog Treat 27(4):373–377

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Sheth VM, Pandya AG (2011) Melasma: a comprehensive update: part II. J Am Acad Dermatol 65(4):699–714

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Kwon SH, Na JI, Choi JY, Park KC (2019) Melasma: updates and perspectives. Exp Dermatol 28(6):704–708

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Wang YJ, Lin ET, Chen YT, Chiu PC, Lin BS, Chiang HM, Huang YH, Wang KY, Lin HY, Chang TM et al (2020) Prospective randomized controlled trial comparing treatment efficacy and tolerance of picosecond alexandrite laser with a diffractive lens array and triple combination cream in female Asian patients with melasma. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 34(3):624–632

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Manuskiatti W, Yan C, Gulfan MCB, Techapichetvanich T, Wanitphakdeedecha R (2022) Combination of a 755-nm picosecond laser and hydroquinone 2% cream versus hydroquinone 2% cream alone for the treatment of melasma: a randomized, split-face, and controlled trial. Lasers Surg Med 54(10):1245–1250

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Thiboutot D, Thieroff-Ekerdt R, Graupe K (2003) Efficacy and safety of azelaic acid (15%) gel as a new treatment for papulopustular rosacea: results from two vehicle-controlled, randomized phase III studies. J Am Acad Dermatol 48(6):836–845

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Kim EH, Kim YC, Lee ES, Kang HY (2007) The vascular characteristics of melasma. J Dermatol Sci 46(2):111–116

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Kaur A, Bhalla M, Pal Thami G, Sandhu J (2020) Clinical efficacy of Topical Tranexamic Acid with Microneedling in Melasma. Dermatol Surg 46(11):e96–e101

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Shakeeb N, Noor SM, Ullah G, Paracha MM (2018) Efficacy of intense pulse light therapy and tripple combination cream versus intense pulse light therapy and tripple combination cream alone in epidermal Melasma treatment. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 28(1):13–16

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Hassan AM, Elfar NN, Rizk OM, Eissa NY (2018) Pulsed dye laser versus intense pulsed light in melasma: a split-face comparative study. J Dermatolog Treat 29(7):725–732

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Nazzaro-Porro M (1987) Azelaic acid. J Am Acad Dermatol 17(6):1033–1041

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar