ORIGINAL ARTICLES
IMAJ | volume 27
Journal 6, June 2025
pages: 358-362
Topical Tranexamic Acid-mediated with Non-insulated Microneedling Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Melasma
1 Clalit Healthcare Services, Petah Tikva, Israel
2 Department of Dermatology, Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson Campus), Petah Tikva, Israel
3 Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson Campus), Petah Tikva, Israel
4 Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
5 Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
6 Assuta Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
Summary
Background:
Radiofrequency-skin interaction is considered self-limited for treating acquired pigmentation such as melasma. Alternatively, skin perforation with microneedling radiofrequency (MNRF) may increase skin bioavailability for depigmenting-mediated ingredients or drugs for the treatment of melasma.
Objectives:
To examine the clinical feasibility of topical tranexamic acid (TA) mediated with MNRF-assisted transepidermal delivery in patients with mixed melasma.
Methods:
The study protocol included 14 women with centrofacial or malar pattern of distribution of melasma (skin types II-VI; age 35–48 years). Patients underwent four treatments at 3-week intervals between treatments. Treatment protocol included non-insulated MNFR (Intensif, EndyMed Ltd, Caesarea, Israel) followed by TA (hexakapron 4%) solution application. The improvement was evaluated based on clinical photographs (Quantificare, Biot, France) and modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) scores. Baseline Photographs were analyzed 3 months after the last treatment.
Results:
In
13 patients (
93%), mMASI scores were significantly lower after 3 months (mean 3.6) than at baseline (5.22). In one patient, mMASI was higher at 3 months compared to baseline. Overall, mMASI improved by 31% (
P < 0.01). Physician and patient satisfaction was high. Minimal adverse reactions were recorded.
Conclusions:
MNRF-assisted transepidermal delivery with topical TA is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of melasma.