Oral Supplementation in the Treatment of Melasma: A Systematic Review

Background: Melasma treatment poses a significant challenge due to its propensity for relapse despite initial clearance success. Given this, there are three important pillars: topical treatment, oral medication, and treatment with energy-based devices. Purpose: This systematic review aimed to investigate the efficacy of various oral supplementation regimens in improving treatment outcomes for melasma. Methods: Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic literature search spanning December 2023 to May 2024 was conducted. Seventeen studies meeting inclusion criteria underwent rigorous analysis. Results: The review encompassed 17 articles, examining a range of supplements including Polypodium leucotomos , glutathione, probiotics, tomato extract, pycnogenol, red orange extract, astaxanthin, coenzyme Q10, collagen hydrolysate, and pomegranate extract. Conclusion: The findings underscore the potential benefits of these supplements in conjunction with conventional treatments for melasma, emphasizing the need for continued investigation and clinical validation.