Clinical and epidemiologic features of melasma: a multicentric cross-sectional study from India.

Background: Though melasma is a common skin condition in India, epidemiological studies are few and geographically confined. The present study was designed to gain insights into factors involved in causation and aggravation of melasma, demographic distribution, clinical presentations, and treatment patterns.

Methods: A cross-sectional multicentric study was conducted in 10 centers distributed across the four regions of India.

Glutathione for skin lightening: a regnant myth or evidence-based verity?

The recent hype surrounding the antimelanogenic properties of glutathione has resulted in physicians frequently administering it as a "wonder" drug for skin lightening and treatment of hyperpigmentation, especially in ethnic populations with darker skin tones. This phenomenon has seen a recent surge owing to aggressive marketing and capitalization of pharma-cosmeceutical companies. However, the unbridled and prodigal use of it, especially as a parenteral formulation, seems unjustified, given the lacunae in our knowledge about its antimelanogenic potential, limited clinical evidence favoring its role in skin lightening, and the statutory ban/advisory issued by certain federal agencies.