Abstract

Objectives: To give an update on topical depigmentation by cosmeceuticals for melasma Introduction: The effective and sustainably successful management of melasma is a difficult task. An advanced understanding of the pathogenesis of melasma and the signaling routs of melanogenesis is required. Topicals such as cosmeceuticals can play an important role not only as pre- and post-treatment tools Materials / method: In melasma, hyperactive melanocytes not only overproduce melanin but they also accumulate melanin resulting in unwanted hyperpigmentation and dermatological diseases such as melasma. Complex scientific data shows today that there are several signaling pathways by which different cell types upregulate or downregulate melanogenesis. But also that there are other contributors to this unwanted skin discoloration such as e.g. new vessel formation, inflammation and oxidation etc.. Therefore, modern concepts of treating melasma topically must target all the various and different pathway causing this Results: Cosmeceuticals can act on melanogenesis by regulating and controlling before, during and after it`s synthesis. Conclusion: Modern concepts for treating melasma topically have to target all the various and different pathways causing this disease. This said, cosmeceuticals are an indispensable tool especially to be combined in e.g. pre- and post-procedure protocols but can be very useful also in treating especially light melasma or in managing recurrent melasma on the long term.