A Pilot Study Testing Salicylic Acid Peels Versus Glycolic Acid Peels for the Treatment of Melasma

A Pilot Study Comparing the Efficacy of Glycolic Acid Peels vs. Salicylic Acid Peels for the Treatment of Melasma: A Randomized Control Trial

The purpose of this study is to find out the safety and effectiveness of Glycolic Acid Chemical Peels compared to Salicylic Acid Chemical Peels for the treatment of melasma.

Participants in this study will be patients who are clinically diagnosed with at least a 2 x 2 cm patch of melasma on each side of their face (forehead or cheek). One half of the subject's face will be randomly selected to receive 4 treatments of 30% glycolic acid peels and the other half of the face will receive 4 treatments of 30% salicylic acid peels/ weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12. Follow up visit will be at week 16. This study is a pilot study designed to determine feasibility of these procedures.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects aged 18 years or older
2. Subjects with at least a 2 x 2 cm patch of melasma on each side of the face (forehead or cheek)
3. Subjects in general good health
4. Subjects must be willing and able to understand and provide informed consent for the use of their tissue and communicate with the investigator
5. Subjects must be willing to not apply other treatment options for melasma during the course of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects under 18 years of age
2. Subjects who are pregnant and/or lactating
3. Subjects who are unable to understand the protocol or to give informed consent
4. Subjects diagnosed with mental illness
5. Subjects who have concurrent active uncontrolled disease to facial area (i.e uncontrolled acne)
6. Subjects who have had a chemical peel in the past 3 months
7. Subjects who have used a prescribed retinoid in the past 3 months
8. Subjects with a bleeding disorder
9. Subjects with a history of abnormal wound healing
10. Subjects with a history of abnormal scarring