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NCT Number: NCT01976286

A Pilot Study Testing Salicylic Acid Peels Versus Glycolic Acid Peels for the Treatment of Melasma

The purpose of this study is to find out the safety and effectiveness of Glycolic Acid Chemical Peels compared to Salicylic Acid Chemical Peels for the treatment of melasma.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Melanosis Hyperpigmentation Pigmentation Disorders Skin Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Northwestern University Department of Dermatology

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

About this study

Participants in this study will be patients who are clinically diagnosed with at least a 2 x 2 cm patch of melasma on each side of their face (forehead or cheek). One half of the subject's face will be randomly selected to receive 4 treatments of 30% glycolic acid peels and the other half of the face will receive 4 treatments of 30% salicylic acid peels/ weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12. Follow up visit will be at week 16. This study is a pilot study designed to determine feasibility of these procedures.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Subjects aged 18 years or older
  • Subjects with at least a 2 x 2 cm patch of melasma on each side of the face (forehead or cheek)
  • Subjects in general good health
  • Subjects must be willing and able to understand and provide informed consent for the use of their tissue and communicate with the investigator
  • Subjects must be willing to not apply other treatment options for melasma during the course of the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Subjects under 18 years of age
  • Subjects who are pregnant and/or lactating
  • Subjects who are unable to understand the protocol or to give informed consent
  • Subjects diagnosed with mental illness
  • Subjects who have concurrent active uncontrolled disease to facial area (i.e uncontrolled acne)
  • Subjects who have had a chemical peel in the past 3 months
  • Subjects who have used a prescribed retinoid in the past 3 months
  • Subjects with a bleeding disorder
  • Subjects with a history of abnormal wound healing
  • Subjects with a history of abnormal scarring

Treatment and study plan

Salicylic Acid Peels

Other

Glycolic Acid Peels

Other

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in best overall cosmetic appearance (right side or left side better)rated by a blinded dermatologist from baseline to week 16

    Time frame: 1 hour at baseline and week 16

    The primary outcome was a blinded rating of the treatment area (Salicylic Acid Peels Versus Glycolic Acid Peels) with the best overall cosmetic appearance. A dermatologist will blindly evaluate the treated areas of each side from live subjects at baseline and on the final follow up visit (week 16).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northwestern University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Pilot Study Comparing the Efficacy of Glycolic Acid Peels vs. Salicylic Acid Peels for the Treatment of Melasma: A Randomized Control Trial

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2028
First posted
Nov 5, 2013
Registry last updated
Jul 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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