The use of visia-evolution^® to measure pigmentation changes in melasma to assess quantitatively the efficacy of treatment

While it is pertinent to assess quantitatively the effectiveness of treating melasmic skin discoloration, the use of erythema and melanin index at fix points has been the conventional technique to determine the efficacy of treatment rendered. Attributable to uneven patterns of discoloration, unique manifestations of melasma, planimetrical measurements of pigment distribution instead of a fixed point measurement, is preferred for determining the changes induced by treatment. We utilized the planimetrical measurements and defined Melasma Index in order to quantify the melasmatic discoloration which were dependent on the subjective impression of observers. The correlativity between the therapeutic impression by examiners and the improvement of Melasma Index was statistically validated. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 adult women who had shown to have melasmic lesions of the face participated in the study. They were treated with (put the name of medicine) orally and 5% hydroquinone topically for a period of three months. The lesions were photographed and recorded by using the VISIA-Evolution Image System^® before and after the treatment. The images were analyzed by utilizing the Photoshop ^® with the changes expressed as the image indecis; The magnitude of pigmentation assessed in a melasma is expressed as a "Melasma Index" and is the ration between the brightness assessed in the lesion and in the surrounding skin without pigmentation changes. The gross findings were furthermore, inspected by independent examiners and the findings were compared with Melasma Index. Findings: The improvement of brightness of the melasmatic area and surrounding nomai area were statistically validated and significant differences were showed. The correlativity between the therapeutic impression by examiners and the improvement of Melasma Index was also statistically validated and significant differences was partially showed between compared groups. Conclusions: While the treatment was noted to be effective in lightening the melasmic discoloration, an objective documentation of color changes utilizing a mechanical image system is essential in order to assess both the efficacy of the therapeutic regimen utilized and the progress noted. The "relative" assessment as Melasma Index is important in order to follow the melasmic condition in the long term. While we reported the significant differences about relativity between visual impression and Melasma Index, it need to be increased accuracy of as-sesement.