| pubmed-article:15098972 | pubmed:abstractText | Corticosteroids have been combined with other agents in the treatment of melasma for years. In early studies by Kligman and Willis, topical dexamethasone as monotherapy produced little depigmentation even after 3 months of therapy. A significant concern is that topical corticosteroids used alone in this setting, especially on the face, may result in epidermal atrophy, telangiectasia, rosacea-like erythemas, acne, and perioral dermatitis. Topical corticosteroids, however, including low-potency fluocinolone acetonide, also exert an anti-metabolic effect, resulting in decreased epidermal turnover, and, thus, may produce a mild depigmenting effect. When used in combination with tretinoin and hydroquinone in the treatment of melasma, fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% suppresses biosynthetic and secretory functions of melanocytes, and thus melanin production, leading to early response in melasma, synergy among the three agents, and no significant side effects over an 8-week period. | lld:pubmed |
