Melasma: Treatment modalities and response to treatment

Melasma of the forearms seems to be a relatively common sign. It may be more common in older people and especially in postmenopausal women on supplementary oestrogen. The pigmentary change is macular and may be confluent or speckled. Like facial chloasma there is a sharp line of demarcation at the margins. In some there seems to be an element of erythema. A detailed history was elicited with reference to the duration, onset, progression, family history, obstetric history, gynaecologic history, cosmetic history and previous treatment. The adverse effects were seen in Regime-I. Common side effects were erythema (16.7%). burning (16.7%). Desquamation (6.7%) and pruritus (6.7%). Common side effects in Regime-II were erythema (30%). burning (10%), Desquamation (13.3%) and dryness (23.3). Common side effects in Regime-III were erythema (33.3%), burning (10%) and Desquamation (6.7%).Common side effects in Regime-IV were erythema (40%), burning (23.3%) and Desquamation (26.7%) pruritus (6.7%).