A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF KOJIC ACID AND

HYDROQUINONE 2% CREAMS FOR THE

TREATMENT OF MELASMA
P E M B I M B I N G : D R . B O W O W A H Y U D I , S P. K K
KEPANITRAAN ILMU PENYAKIT KULIT KELAMIN
RSUD KOTA BANJAR
FAKULTAS KEDOKTERAN DAN KESEHATAN
UNIVERSITAS MUHAMMADIYAH JAKARTA
2016

INTRODUCTION
Melasma is an acquired increase in skin
pigmentation on face and is found mostly in
women, often as a physiological change due to
pregnancy.
Etiology :
The use of compound contraceptive pills.

Another factor :
Contact with UV
rays

use of cosmetics

liver function
disorders

use of
anticonvulsive
drugs

nutritional deficits

and genetic factors

upper lip,
cheeks, forehead, nasal bridge, and chin.
Hyperpigmentation is most frequently seen on the

Therapeutic management of melasma

hydroquinone

Tretinoin
Isotretinoin
Adapalenes
azelaic acid
Arbutin
Licorice
sodium ascorbyl phosphate (an activated form of vitamin c),
mandelic acid
magnesium ascorbyl phosphate
hydroxy acid

and kojic acid

METHODS
Analyzed by a

Wilcoxon nonparametric statistical test.

Subject : 100 non-pregnan woman with moderate to severe melasma

3 month period
The dermatology department of 22 Bahman Hospital in Mashhad in 2005.

Kojic Acid 4%

hydroquinone cream 2%

Every night
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RESULT
The average age of the studied cases was 26.91 and their average
duration of disease was 28 months.
28%
before
pregnancy

72%
after
pregnancy

positions of melasma lesions :

The severity :
57% moderate

43% severe

33%
nose, cheeks, and forehead
31%
nose and
cheeks

19%
both cheeks

17%
nose, cheeks, forehead, chin
and upper lip
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DISCUSSION
The positive response of kojic acid cream 4% on melasma lesions, at
the end of the first, second and the third month were 7%, 24% and
53%.
The positive response to treatment with hydroquinone cream 2% at
the end of the first, second and the third month were 10%, 22% and
32%.

CONCLUSIONS
kojic acid is potentially more
for the treatment of melasma based on the

This study shows that

duration of treatment. And than, it can be considered as an

alternative in the therapeutic protocols for this pigmentation
disorder.

THANK YOU

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