NIACINAMIDE

Description

Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture

Scientific paper review

A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial of Niacinamide 4% versus Hydroquinone 4% in the Treatment of Melasma
n Participants Interventions Punchline
27 Twenty-seven female patients with melasma were included, 12 (33%) were of skin phototype IV, and 13 (48%) of type V. The pattern of melasma was centrofacial in 13 (50%), malar in 10 (37%), and mandibular in 4 (14%). The exclusion criteria were pregnant and nursing women, patients with history of hypersensitivity to some of the components of the formulas of the study, and coexistence of associate diseases and other pigmentation diseases. Participants received two containers labeled right or left with 4% niacinamide (Nicomide-T cream 4%, DUSA Pharmaceuticals Inc.) or 4% hydroquinone (Eldoquin cream 4%, Valeant Pharmaceutical). All patients were instructed to apply the correct amount of both treatments and to use a SPF 50+ broad spectrum sunscreen every 3 hours during day time. Treatment was administered for the period of 8 weeks, with basal evaluation and followup at 4 and 8 weeks. The average decrease in the melasma area and severity index was 70% for hydroquinone and 62% for niacinamide. Colorimetric assessment was performed initially and at the end of the study; we evaluated the luminosity as well as erythema. The lightening effect of HQ and niacinamide was apparent at 4 weeks of treatment, whereas it was more evident at 8 weeks. Colorimetric measures showed no statistical differences between both treatments. The erythema was more intense on the side treated with HQ than with niacinamide, but it was not statistically significant. Our results indicate that 4% niacinamide was effective in approximate 40% of patients, showing outstanding clinical results.

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