Dermatologist Rates Melasma Treatments

@drsamanthaellis

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SoundTikTok sound · original sound - drsamanthaellis

Promoted product

Oral tranexamic acid

Why it worked

The video provides a clear, concise, and visually engaging rating system for common melasma treatments, leveraging the authority of a dermatologist to offer valuable advice. The use of on-screen text and numerical ratings makes the information easily digestible and shareable.

Summary

A dermatologist rates various melasma treatments, giving oral tranexamic acid a 7/10, tretinoin a 2/10, hydroquinone an 8/10, azelaic acid a 6/10, pico laser a 4/10, chemical peels a 5/10, and a triple combination cream a 9/10. The video emphasizes that prescription medical therapies generally outperform in-office treatments.

Structure

1Introduction of oral tranexamic acid and its rating
2Discussion of tretinoin and its low rating
3Review of hydroquinone and its effectiveness with a caution
4Assessment of azelaic acid and its safety profile
5

Original caption

And don’t even think about skimping on sun protection. It is the number one factor in maintaining results after treatment. #melasma #melasmatreatment #hyperpigmentation #chemicalpeel #melasmatips

More from @drsamanthaellis

Product placement

Oral tranexamic acid (acts - it is a medication used to treat melasma, and the video rates its effectiveness) 7/10. Tretinoin Cream (acts - it is a topical medication used to treat hyperpigmentation, and the video rates its effectiveness) 2/10. Hydroquinone 4% Cream (acts - it is a skin bleaching cream used to treat melasma, and the video rates its effectiveness) 8/10. Azelaic Acid Gel 15% (acts - it is a topical treatment for melasma, and the video rates its effectiveness) 6/10. Pico Laser (acts - it is a type of laser treatment for melasma, and the video rates its effectiveness) 4/10. Triple Combination Cream (Hydroquinone + Tretinoin + Mild Steroid) (acts - it is a compounded prescription cream used to treat melasma, and the video rates its effectiveness) 9/10. Cosmelan (appears - it is a type of chemical peel mentioned as an example) 5/10. VI Peel (appears - it is a type of chemical peel mentioned as an example) 5/10. TCA (appears - it is a type of chemical peel mentioned as an example) 5/10. Jessner's (appears - it is a type of chemical peel mentioned as an example) 5/10. Glycolic Acid (appears - it is a type of chemical peel mentioned as an example) 5/10. Taro (appears - it is a brand name on the Tretinoin Cream tube, removing it would not change what happens in the video) incidental. Acella (appears - it is a brand name on the Hydroquinone cream tube, removing it would not change what happens in the video) incidental. Glenmark (appears - it is a brand name on the Azelaic Acid Gel tube, removing it would not change what happens in the video) incidental. Trulieve (appears - it is a brand name on the Triple Combination Cream tube, removing it would not change what happens in the video) incidental. Prequel Skin (appears - it is the founder's brand, mentioned in the bio, removing it would not change what happens in the video) incidental.

On-screen text

Dermatologist Rates Melasma Treatments Oral tranexamic acid 7/10 THIS IS AN 7/10 INCREDIBLY EFFECTIVE AND UNDERUTILIZED INTERVENTION WHEN IT COMES TO TREATING MELASMA. THE ORAL VERSION WORKS WAY BETTER THAN THE TOPICAL BEEN A GAME CHANGER FOR SO PATIENTS. Tretinoin 2/10 SHOCKINGLY UNIMPRESSIVE TO TREATING MOST FORMS OF HYPERPIGMENTATION. Hydroquinone 8/10 THIS IS THE MOST STUDIED SINGLE INGREDIENT WHEN IT COMES TO TREATING MELASMA. HOWEVER, IT CAN BE ABUSED AND LEAD TO LONG TERM SIDE EFFECTS, SO ALWAYS USE GUIDANCE OF A DERMATOLOGIST. Azelic Acid 6/10 MELASMA TREATMENTS THAT'S SAFE IN PREGNANCY AND WHILE BREASTFEEDING. IT WORKS BEST AT A 20% CONCENTRATION USED TWICE A DAY. Pico Laser 4/10 DESPITE WHAT YOU MAY SEE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, LASERS FOR MELASMA IS ACTUALLY PRETTY INCONSISTENT AND UNDERWHELMING. YOU ALWAYS NEED MULTIPLE TREATMENTS TO SEE RESULTS, REAL RISK THAT THEY CAN FLARE INSTEAD OF MAKING IT BETTER. Triple Combination Cream (Hydroquinone + Tretinoin + Mild Steroid) 9/10 THIS COMPOUNDED PRESCRIPTION IS THE GOLD STANDARD IN DERMATOLOGY. IT HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 1970S AND STILL NOTHING HAS PROVEN MORE EFFECTIVE IN HEAD TRIALS. Chemical Peels 5/10 THIS INCLUDES COSMELAN, VI PEEL, TCA, JESSNER'S, GLYCOLIC ACID. CHEMICAL PEELS CAN GIVE A DRAMATIC AND FAST IMPROVEMENT, BUT IF YOU ARE NOT PUT ON MAINTENANCE THERAPY, RELAPSE IS ALMOST INEVITABLE AND PATIENTS FIND THIS VERY DISAPPOINTING. PRESCRIPTION MEDICAL THERAPIES TIME AND TIME AGAIN OUTPERFORM IN-OFFICE TREATMENTS LIKE LASERS AND PEELS.

Transcript

Oral tranexamic acid. 7/10. This is an incredibly effective and underutilized intervention when it comes to treating melasma. The oral version works way better than the topical. It's been a game changer for so many of my patients. Tretinoin. 2/10. Shockingly unimpressive to treating most forms of hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone. 8/10. This is the most studied single ingredient when it comes to treating melasma. However, it can be abused and lead to long term side effects, so always use guidance of a dermatologist. Azelaic Acid. 6/10. Melasma treatments that's safe in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It works best at a 20% concentration used twice a day. Pico Laser. 4/10. Despite what you may see on social media, lasers for melasma is actually pretty inconsistent and underwhelming. You always need multiple treatments to see results. Real risk that they can flare instead of making it better. Triple Combination Cream (Hydroquinone + Tretinoin + Mild Steroid). 9/10. This compounded prescription is the gold standard in dermatology. It has been around since the 1970s and still nothing has proven more effective in head to head trials. Chemical Peels. 5/10. This includes Cosmelan, VI Peel, TCA, Jessner's, Glycolic Acid. Chemical peels can give a dramatic and fast improvement, but if you are not put on maintenance therapy, relapse is almost inevitable and patients find this very disappointing. When it comes to melasma, prescription medical therapies time and time again outperform in-office treatments like lasers and peels.