Journal of

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Background and Aim: Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a fungal infection of the skin that is caused by Malassezia species in tropical and subtropical areas. Various treatments such as ketoconazole 2% shampoo are effective in the treatment of PV. In this study, the therapeutic effects of ketoconazole 2% shampoo and Octopirox 1% shampoo on PV were compared. Methods: Fourty-two patients participated in the study. Twenty-five patients were treated using Octopirox 1% shampoo and 17 patients were treated by ketoconazole 2% shampoo. Each shampoo was administered for 5 minutes after daily showers for three weeks. At the end of the treatment period, patients were evaluated on the basis of the results KOH test and clinical examinations. Results: At the end of the treatment period in ketoconazole 2% shampoo group, 64.7% of patients were cured. In Octopirox 1% shampoo group, 44% of patients were cured. The detected difference was not statistically significant (P=0.187). Conclusion: Both shampoos were effective in eliminating the symptoms, but ketoconazole 2% shampoo was more effective in improving the associated hyperpigmentation and erythema than Octopirox 2% shampoo. No side effects were observed in either group.

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Background and Aim: Melasma is a common disease affecting quality of life. Available treatments result in the gradual and partial clearance of melasma, and are accompanied with high risk of recurrence after discontinuing treatment. Tranexamic acid has been successfully evaluated in several studies. In addition, laser has been proposed as an enhanced drug delivery method. This study is designed to evaluate this enhancing effect.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with bilateral epidermal and mixed type melasma were recruited in the study and applied tranexamic 5% gel bilaterally on face two times a day and randomly underwent fractional CO2 laser treatment on one side of the face monthly. They were evaluated before starting treatment and then every 4 weeks by measuring modified melasma area severity index (mMASI) and melanin index by Dermacatch (Colorix, Switzerland). Also, quality of life was measured and compared in a subset of patients with MELAS QoL questionnaire before and after treatment. The results were analyzed by SPSS software version 18 and the results were compared by paired t test. Due to multiple comparisons, p value of 0.0125 was considered significant.

Results: The mMASI and melanin index were not significantly different between two sides in each follow up (P>0.0125). The mMASI and melanin index significantly decreased after treatment with tranexamic acid with or without fractional CO₂ laser (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively)

Conclusion: Although tranexamic acid 5% gel is effective in the treatment of melasma, however, our study did not show additive therapeutic effect by adding fractional CO₂ laser to it.