mesoestetic Pharma Group evaluates the efficacy and safety in depigmenting treatments based on tranexamic acid applied by microneedling

Pigmentation concerns are a growing, global issue. As a matter of fact, they affect more than 90% of adults over the age of 50, regardless of skin color. Because of their unattractive appearance, they trigger a negative psychological and emotional impact, affecting the patients’ quality of life. Consequently, the treatment of hyperpigmentation generates a high social demand among dermatologists and aesthetic doctors.

Skin hyperpigmentation is caused by abnormal production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, and is a consequence of uncontrolled, localized overproduction of melanin by the melanocytes, causing irregular skin coloration and dark spots.

mesoestetic Pharma Group’s reputation as a global leader in the aesthetic medicine industry has a strong bond with depigmenting methods such as dermamelan®, used by thousands of doctors and patients around the globe. Tirelessly, the laboratory conducts constant research to evaluate new treatments to correct skin hyperpigmentation and other signs of ageing.

The following prospective study was performed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the application of a combination of 4 active substances with a depigmenting effect through the microneedling technique.

Patients, protocols and methodology

Seven Caucasian women (phototypes III and IV) aged between 33 and 54 years participated in the study. The etiology of the treated hyperpigmentation reported by volunteers was varied: idiopathic, secondary to cosmetics use, post-inflammatory and hormonal, among others.

The treatment took place in 5 sessions at intervals of 15 days between each session, in which patients were treated with c.prof 210 depigmentation solution. The solution was applied using the microneedling technique at a constant speed of 700 cycles per minute and with a head of 11 microneedles of 1 mm.

The study results were evaluated by the mexamater® MPA 580 and Janus II® facial skin score system.

In order to evaluate the depigmentation effectiveness, melanin index measures were taken during the day of diagnosis and two weeks after the end of the treatment, and then the percentage of depigmentation was calculated.

To evaluate the improvement of wrinkles, the pictures taken the day of diagnosis and 2 weeks after the end of treatment were analyzed and compared.

About c.prof, the material used:

c.prof are cocktails of active ingredients to treat specific cosmetic conditions. They are part of mesoestetic’s meso.prof product line, the most complete range of specific solutions and active ingredients in sterile ampoules for transdermal application.

c.prof 210 has been designed to offer a corrective action on pigmentation alteration. It unifies the skin tone and helps inhibit melanogenesis, thereby reducing melanin synthesis. Its formula is based on tranexamic acid, nicotinamide, N-acetyl glucosamine and Vitamin C.

Mechanism of action of tranexamic acid

Tranexamic acid inhibits plasmin and plasminogen, therefore promoting a reduction of free arachidonic acid and the synthesis of prostaglandins and endoteline-1, which trigger melanogenesis, angiogenesis and the inflammatory process typical of some resistant hyperpigmentations such as melasma.

Conclusions and results

Tests with Mexameter® performed 15 days after the end of the treatment show an inmediate improvement in the treated hyperpigmented area in 100% of the patients and an average reduction of the hyperpigmentation of 18%.

Results were reevaluated 3 months after the end of the treatment to analyze longer-term efficiency: the reduction in melanin index 90 days after the last session at the consulting room remained stable, with an average reduction of 18%. The photographic follow-up still showed a reduction in the melanin index.

In conclusion, the protocol with c.prof 210 formulated with 4 depigmenting agents and applied via microneedling with the m.pen[pro] device proved to be safe and effective. Moreover, the treatment showed a secondary benefit in terms of the reduction ogf wrinkles, with an average of 20.7% less of wrinkles according to the analysis with Janus II.