Topical retinoic acid (tretinoin) for melasma in black patients. A vehicle-controlled clinical trial.

Background And Design: Melasma is an acquired, masklike, facial hyperpigmentation. The pathogenesis and treatment of melasma in black (African-American) patients is poorly understood. We investigated the efficacy of topical 0.

Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) therapy for hyperpigmented lesions caused by inflammation of the skin in black patients.

Background And Methods: Irregular disfiguring skin hyperpigmentation due to inflammation may develop in black persons. We investigated the treatment of this hyperpigmentation with topical tretinoin (0.1 percent retinoic acid cream).