Comparison of the efficacy of cysteamine 5% cream and hydroquinone 4%/ascorbic acid 3% combination cream in the treatment of epidermal melasma.

Cysteamine was confirmed to be an effective treatment for melasma, with equivalent results to HC in reducing mMASI score and improving quality of life, despite lesser melanin index reduction observed. Cysteamine and HC efficacy was confirmed in patients recalcitrant to previous treatments, by a significant reduction of mMASI and melanin index.