Comparative evaluation of glycolic acid and salicylic acid peels followed by PRP for treatment of hyperpigmentation-A split face study

Abstract

Hyperpigmentation is a medical term used to describe darker patches of skin from excess melanin production. This can be caused by everything from acne scars and sun damage to hormone fluctuations. The first-line treatment for hyperpigmentation involves topical formulations of conventional agents such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, and glycolic acid followed by oral formulations of therapeutic agents such as transexamic acid, melatonin, and cysteamine hydrochloride. Despite the availability of multiple treatments for the condition, hyperpigmentation continues to present clinical management challenges for dermatologists. The study aims to compare the therapeutic efficacy, to compare the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of glycolic acid peels and salicylic acid peels for hyperpigmentation treatment. 200 patients were selected and graded on Fitzpatrick scale. A split face peel on right side by Glycolic Acid and left side by Salicylic Acid was done and procedure was repeated after 2 week and then third sitting of PRP was done. Patients were scaled on Fitzpatrick scale at baseline and after 3 sitting (PRP). Salicylic recorded a mean value of 3.10 at baseline while glycolic acid recorded 2.92 at baseline. After 3 sitting Salicylic Acid recorded a mean reduction value of 0.29 while that of Glycolic Acid mean reduction value was 0.71and this was stastically significant reduction. Patients with Salicylic Acid peels showed significantly better response than Glycolic Acid peels.