The Efficacy in Treatment of Facial Melasma Combined With Thulium 1927-nm Fractional Laser and Topical H2R Antagonist: a Split-face, Single-blind Study

Melasma is a common hyperpigmented skin disorder presented with light to dark symmetrical brown macules on face, malar and forehead areas in women with Fitzpatrick type III-IV. Compared with normal skin, histologic features of melasma include the enhanced activity of melanocytes, higher solar elastosis in upper dermis, basement membrane disruption which promotes melanocytes and melanin into the dermis, increased vascularization, and an increased number of mast cells1. As a result, melasma is often difficult to treat and is prone to recurrence.

The pathophysiology of melasma is complex and has not been fully elucidated. Possible pathogenesis of melasma includes ultraviolet (UV) exposure, genetic factors, sex hormones2, chronic skin inflammation, skin barrier disfunction also contributes in the onset of melasma1. Albeit melasma represents as melanin overproduction, multiple cell types are implicated in the pathogenesis of melasma.

Mast cell number is increased in the dermis of melasma skin, especially in the areas with solar elastosis3. Studies shown that the number of mast cells may be related to refractory and recurrence of melasma treatment4. Though the role of mast cells in the development of melasma remains unclear, based on the previous studies, among the bioactive mediators released by mast cells, histamine plays a pivotal role in UV-induced activation of melanocytes5. There are 4 subtypes of histamine receptors (HR1-4)6. Among the 4 subtypes of HRs, histamine stimulates melanocyte activation through H2 receptors on melanocytes7.The function of H2R activation has been verified in vivo by a UV-induced pigmentation in guinea pig5. Some therapeutic drugs for melasma such as tranexamic acid, corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors can inhibit the recruitment and maturation of mast cell by inhibiting mast cell proliferation3. These drugs inhibit melanocyte activation by reducing inflammation in melasma skin, while H2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) suppress pigmentation by inhibiting histamine-mediated melanogenesis and dendricity rather than preventing the inflammation induction. Thus, H2- blockers such as famotidine as a potential treatment strategy for melasma should be valued. The latest clinical trials have shown possible benefits of the oral H2-blocker famotidine combined with H1-blocker ketotifen for melasma8. This report provides more evidence for the efficacy of H2RA famotidine in melasma. However, the function of famotidine should be evaluated. Moreover, topical administration of famotidine may offer greater benefits than oral medication, but the effect should be evaluated further.

Lasers and light-based devices such as low-fluence Q-switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser have been considered as an effective modality for the treatment of melasma by directly targeting melanosome9,10. The non-ablative 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser targets water instead of melanocytes and conferring greater ability to target superficial layers of the skin11, thus has less risk of PIH than melanosome targeting lasers. Also, the fractional laser induced microscopic treatment zones (MTZs) can promote local drug absorption and bioavailability while reducing the undesirable effects associated with systemic absorption.12

In the present study, The investigators attempted to verified role of H2R inhibitor in the treatment of melasma by combining famotidine with 1927nm fractional laser-assisted drug delivery13. The investigators performed a split-face, single-blinded study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1927nm fractional laser with topical famotidine for the treatment of facial melasma.