Journal of Asia Pacific Aesthetic Sciences

Abstract: Melasma is a prevalent pigmentary disorder in the Philippines, with an estimated prevalence rate of 1.32%. The recurrent nature of melasma poses a significant therapeutic challenge among dermatologists in the country. This study aimed to evaluate the current practices in managing melasma among dermatologist who is a members of the Philippine Dermatological Society PDS). The cross sectional online survey was conducted to evaluate the current practice in the management of melasma patients among 350 Filipino dermatologists. The survey was carried out from April 1, 2022, to September 30, 2022. The majority of respondents (71.4%) diagnosed melasma based solely on clinical examination. Among those who assessed melasma severity before treatment, the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score (50.7%) and the Melasma Severity Scale (25%) were the most commonly utilized methods. Regarding management, 49.1% of respondents opted for topical treatments alone, while 47.7% preferred combination therapies. Sunscreen was identified as the first line topical treatment (96.3%) followed by Kligman’s cream, hydroquinone and tretinoin. For procedural methods, chemical peels ranked first (34.73%) as the preferred method. Approximately 62% of the respondents prescribed oral medications, with tranexamic acid (68.7%) being the most commonly prescribed, followed by glutathione (39.14%), vitamin C (37.39%), polypodium leucotomos (32.17%), and procyanidin (23.48%). Majority (56.9%) of the respondents considered shifting to alternative modalities after 4 to 6 months of treatment. Furthermore, 47.4% of the respondents preferred a maintenance duration exceeding one year. This study's findings delineate the current practices of 350 Filipino dermatologists in managing melasma patients. The outcomes will likely serve as a valuable reference for future melasma guidelines and treatment algorithms in the Philippines and neighboring countries.