What are the comparative efficacy and safety of different administration methods of tranexamic acid (TA) for treating melasma?
Topical Tranexamic Acid Serum, a network meta-analysis (J Cosmet Dermatol 2023, PMID 38059683) — compared to placebo, oTA showed statistically significant differences at Week 4, while tTA, iTA, and MNsTA showed statistically significant differences starting from Week 8. No numeric effect size is reported for Topical Tranexamic Acid Serum in the source abstract.
Source: J Cosmet Dermatol 2023, PMID 38059683 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: low
J Cosmet Dermatol · 2023 · PMID 38059683 · DOI 10.1111/jocd.16104
Oral tranexamic acid combined with routine topical agents is the most effective treatment for melasma, with oral TA alone showing faster short-term effects.
The question
What are the comparative efficacy and safety of different administration methods of tranexamic acid (TA) for treating melasma?
What they tested
The study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of various TA administration methods for melasma.
How they did it
A network meta-analysis was conducted by collecting research from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The severity of melasma was evaluated using the Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI), and the curative effect was assessed by comparing the change in MASI (ΔMASI) after treatment with different TA administration methods at specific time points.
What they found
At Weeks 4, 8, 12, and the last follow-up, oral TA combined with routine topical agents (oTA + RTA) showed a higher ΔMASI than intradermal TA (iTA), topical TA (tTA), and microneedling TA (MNsTA), with statistical significance. At Week 8, oral TA (oTA) had a statistically significantly higher ΔMASI than iTA. Compared to placebo, oTA showed statistically significant differences at Week 4, while tTA, iTA, and MNsTA showed statistically significant differences starting from Week 8.
| Oral TA | 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Topical TA | 8 | |
| Intradermal TA | 8 | |
| Microneedling TA | 8 |
This chart illustrates the earliest week at which each tranexamic acid administration method showed a statistically significant difference in ΔMASI compared to placebo.
What it means
Among the various TA administration methods, oTA + RTA has the best effect on melasma. In the short term, oTA's curative effect is better than iTA's, and its onset time is faster than tTA, iTA, and MNsTA. In the long run, the curative effect of TA alone is independent of the administration mode.
Limitations
The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study.
Where the published abstract does not list limitations, we say so rather than inventing them. Read the full paper on PubMed before drawing conclusions.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for melasma by different administration methods: a network meta-analysis |
|---|---|
| Journal | J Cosmet Dermatol |
| Year | 2023 |
| PMID | 38059683 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1111/jocd.16104 ↗ |
| Topic | Skin, hair & photoaging |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
This citation sits behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are set from the research and are independent of affiliate commissions.
Topical Tranexamic Acid Serum
In randomized controlled trials and multiple meta-analyses, topical tranexamic acid significantly lowers melasma severity scores (MASI/mMASI and melanin index) and performs comparably to the long-standing standard agent hydroquinone, frequently with fewer irritant side effects;
Topical tranexamic acid (TXA; trans-4-aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid) is a synthetic lysine…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). What are the comparative efficacy and safety of different administration methods of tranexamic acid (TA) for treating melasma? [Plain-English summary of J Cosmet Dermatol 2023, PMID 38059683, DOI 10.1111/jocd.16104]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38059683.html@misc{magellan_d38059683,
title = {What are the comparative efficacy and safety of different administration methods of tranexamic acid (TA) for treating melasma?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38059683.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 38059683; DOI 10.1111/jocd.16104; J Cosmet Dermatol 2023. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
}https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38059683.htmlRelated studies in the Magellan library
- Effectiveness of laser and topical tranexamic acid combination therapy in melasmaLasers Med Sci · 2023 · PMID 37326860
- What are the various delivery methods of tranexamic acid (TXA) for treating melasma, and how…J Cosmet Dermatol · 2023 · PMID 36606378
- Collagen supplementation in skin and orthopedic diseases: A review of the literatureHeliyon · 2023 · PMID 37064452
- A clinical evaluation of a topical antioxidant formulation featuring vitamin C, astaxanthin…J Cosmet Dermatol · 2023 · PMID 37608511
- Can the EmbracePlus wristband accurately measure peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) using…Front Digit Health · 2023 · PMID 38111608
- Efficacy of Treatments in Reducing Inflammatory Lesion Count in RosaceaJ Cutan Med Surg · 2024 · PMID 38807451
Prefer the interactive version? Open this summary in the Magellan app → · Browse all 314 study summaries →