Energy-based devices (EBDs) employed to treat melasma include various types of lasers, intense pulsed light (IPL) and radiofrequency (RF). 

A new article published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology aimed to review EBDs-based augmented treatment for melasma and to suggest practical pathogenesis-oriented treatment regimens. 

This study entailed a systematic Pubmed search, acquiring information from various studies on combination treatments of melasma involving EBDs.

Overall, 286 retrieved articles were filtered by title to contain at least one type of energy-based modality such as laser, IPL or RF along with at least one other treatment method. Combinations were further categorized into the subheadings – laser plus medication, laser plus laser and IPL- and RF-containing treatment methods.

In inference, it was stated that there exist many energy-based combination treatments that have been explored for attenuation of melasma including – laser therapy with medication, multi-laser therapies, IPL, RF and microneedling devices. Choosing the appropriate treatment combination based on patients’ characteristics can improve the final outcome.

Source: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021 Apr 1. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14110.