MICRONEEDLING IN THE TREATMENT OF MELASMA: UPDATE

Abstract

Due to the negative impact of melasma on patients' quality of life, researchers' attention is focused on discovering new therapeutic options due to its recurrent and refractory course. In view of this, the aim of this study was to present the evidence available in the literature on the therapeutic efficacy and clinical safety of the microneedling technique for the treatment of melasma, in an attempt to expand knowledge about recent discoveries. To this end, a bibliographical research was carried out, through searches in the databases Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Spanish Bibliographic Index in Health Sciences (IBECS) and International Literature in Health Sciences (MEDLINE), adopting a time frame between the years 2014 to 2024. The available evidence confirmed the efficacy and therapeutic safety of microneedling in the treatment of Melasma, either as monotherapy or combined with topical tranexamic acid, vitamin C and fractional CO₂ laser, with indication of subsequent use of tretinoin, hydroquinone and fluocinolone acetonide and sunscreen. These findings are consistent with the results of previously conducted systematic literature reviews, which used validated instruments to assess the decrease in the hyperpigmentation severity score.