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A randomized and placebo‐controlled study to compare the skin‐lightening efficacy and safety of lignin peroxidase cream vs. 2% hydroquinone cream
Author(s) -
Mauricio Tess,
Karmon Yoram,
Khaiat Alain
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of cosmetic dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.626
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1473-2165
pISSN - 1473-2130
DOI - 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00581.x
Subject(s) - hydroquinone , medicine , placebo , randomized controlled trial , dermatology , traditional medicine , pharmacology , chemistry , surgery , organic chemistry , alternative medicine , pathology
Summary Background Historically, the most effective treatments for skin lightening have contained hydroquinone. However, there is a need for an effective alternative. Aims The purpose of this study was to evaluate the skin‐lightening efficacy and safety of lignin peroxidase (LIP) creams using a regimen of both day and night products compared with twice‐daily application of 2% hydroquinone cream and placebo in Asian women. Patients/Methods This was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, split‐face, single‐center study of 51 patients. Patients were randomized to receive day and night LIP cream on one randomly selected side of their face and either 2% hydroquinone cream or placebo on the other. Results A statistically significant change from baseline in the melanin index was observed in LIP‐treated skin, with a mean reduction of 7.6% ( P < 0.001) on Day 31. Conversely, hydroquinone and placebo did not provide a statistically significant lightening effect when instrumentally measured. Dermatologist scoring demonstrated a significant improvement in overall fairness as early as 8 days after treatment initiation in the LIP‐treated group, which was not observed in the other groups. Overall, patients preferred the LIP creams. Conclusions The application of day/night LIP cream provided a significantly more rapid and observable skin‐lightening effect than hydroquinone 2% cream or placebo.