Efficacy and safety of intralesional steroid injection in the treatment of melasma.

Background: The etiopathogenesis of melasma is not yet completely elucidated; however, certain inflammatory cytokines are involved in its pathogenesis as interleukin (IL) 1a, IL 1b, IL6, prostaglandin (PG) D2and PGE2. Corticosteroid suppressive effect on these cytokines may explain its therapeutic effect in the treatment of melasma.

Aims: To assess the efficacy and safety of intralesional triamcinolone versus Kligman's formula in treatment of melasma.