%0 Journal Article
%T Imiquimod Cream in Low Concentrations as a New Topical Therapy for Melasma
%J Scientific & Academic Publishing
%D 2019
%R 10.5923/j.ajdv.20190804.03
%X <b>Background</b>: Melasma is the major cause of facial melanosis where there are many topical therapies which end with high recovery rate but the relapse of disease is often also high. Imiquimod has been introduced as topical therapy of genital warts and skin malignancy where leukoderma and vitiligo were reported as side effects. <b>Objectives</b>: to evaluate imiquimod cream in low concentrations in treatment of melasma. <b>Patients</b> <b>and</b> <b>Methods</b>: This is an interventional, single-blinded, comparative outpatient study carried out in the Department of Dermatology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital during the period from July 2014 to October 2015. Thirty-four patients with melasma were included in this study. The patients were divided into three groups. Every patient was instructed to apply the treatment twice daily and to be seen every 2 weeks for 2 months and also instructed to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF >30 before sun exposure during treatment period. <b>Results</b>: Only twenty-four patients with melasma completed the study and all patients in group (A,B and C) were females. In group A, nine patients were treated with imiquimod cream 0.1612%. The percentage of improvement was (2.98%) and was statistically not significant (P value = 0.833229). In group B, eight patients were treated with imiquimod cream 0.3125%. There was a (3.49%) of improvement and was statistically not significant (P value = 0. 903421). In group C, seven patients treated with imiquimod cream 0.5882%. There was a (3.68%) of improvement and was statistically not significant (P value = 0.909153). The comparison of the percentage of improvement among the 3 groups showed no significant difference (P value = 0.966763). No side effects like leukoderma and vitiligo reported apart from slight burning sensation and irritation reported in few patients. <b>Conclusions</b>: Imiquimod cream in low concentrations (0.1612%, 0.3125% and 0.5882%) was useful as mild bleaching agent for treatment of melasma with no significant side effects. Further evaluation of this drug in treatment of other pigmentary diseases is highly needed to have more wide objective therapeutic results
%K Imiquimod
%K Melasma
%K Treatment
%U http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.ajdv.20190804.03.html