Acidified Amino Acids in the Management of Melasma

Melasma is an acquired hyperpigmentary disorder that primarily occurs in sun-exposed facial skin of darker-skinned women. A variety of topical treatments, including hydroquinone, retinoids, kojic acid, and glycolic acid, are available for treatment, but results are variable; lesions are notoriously stubborn and difficult to remove, and recurrence is a frequent problem. We report the use of a novel combination of standard outpatient treatments and an emerging in-office acidified amino acid peel in a patient with melasma.