Therapeutic effect of topical application of linoleic acid and lincomycin in combination with betamethasone valerate in melasma patients.

Melasma is an acquired symmetric hypermelanosis characterized by irregular light-to gray-brown macules and patches on sun-exposed areas. Many therapeutic agents are available but are unsatisfactory. Recently, it has been demonstrated that lincomycin (LM) and linoleic acid (LA) can inhibit melanogenesis in vitro.