Recent clinical studies have found an innovative new use for a well-known ingredient. These studies have shown that hyperpigmentation, including melasma, can be significantly reduced with the topical application of niacinamide. Niacinamide is a natural ingredient that is better known as vitamin B3. Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, has been proven to work as well as hydroquinone, without many of the side effects, and has been proven as an effective, well tolerated option for the treatment of hyperpigmentation, or melasma.
Melasma, a type of hyperpigmentation, is a frequently reported aesthetic skin concern. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) defines melasma as follows: “It causes brown to gray-brown patches on the face. Most people get it on their cheeks, bridge of their nose, forehead, chin, and above their upper lip.” This overproduction of melanin sometimes looks like large splotches of freckles and can even cover entire areas with a brownish, uneven skin tone. The AAD goes on to add that, “Women are far more likely than men to get melasma. It is so common during pregnancy that some people call it the mask of pregnancy. Hormones seem to trigger melasma.” Though less prevalent, it is possible for men to have melasma as well. As with many skin conditions, melasma can be worsened by sun exposure.
There are a variety of treatment products available to treat hyperpigmention, including melasma. Examples of other topical treatments are tretinoin, hydroquinone, kojic acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid. These can have varying degrees of success, as well as side effects. Some typical side effects from these treatments range from flaking or peeling of the skin to redness and swelling in the applied areas. Hydroquinone is especially problematic, because not only does it cause skin irritation in numerous users, it has been shown to be a potential carcinogen. As such, it has been banned in many countries.
Niacinamide, on the other hand, has been proven to reduce hyperpigmentation, or melasma, safely and effectively. A recent article from “Dermatology Research and Practice” titled, “A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial of Niacinamide 4% versus Hydroquinone 4% in the treatment of Melasma” stated that, “Good to excellent improvement was observed with niacinamide in 44% of patients, compared to 55% with hydroquinone.” The article went on to add that, “We propose niacinamide as an effective, integral, and safe therapeutic alternative in the melasma treatment, since it not only reduces pigmentation and inflammation, but also may reduce solar degenerative changes with minimal adverse events.” The article also reported that, “Treatment with niacinamide showed no significant side effects and was well tolerated; therefore, it could be used for longer periods, as part of the initial hyperpigmentation treatment and as a maintenance drug.” This is exciting because not only is niacinamide effective in treating hyperpigmentation as compared to hydroquinone, it is also safe to use long-term, whereas hydroquinone should only be used for a short period of time.
Hyperpigmentation, or melasma, is a commonly reported aesthetic skin concern. Traditional treatments for melasma can have irritating and even potentially harmful side effects. Topically applied Vitamin B3 Niacinamide cream is a safe, clinically proven, long-term alternative for the treatment of melasma.
Article cited:
“Dermatology Research and Practice”, Volume 2011, Article ID 379173 , “A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial of Niacinamide 4% versus Hydroquinone 4% in the treatment of Melasma”, by Josefina Navarrete-Solis, Juan Pablo Castanedo-Cazares, Bertha Torres-Alvarez, Cuauhtemoc Oros-Ovalle, Cornelia Fuentes-Ahumada, Francisco Javier Gonzalez, Juan David Martinez-Ramirez, and Bejamin Moncada
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