We will assess whether oral supplementation with Polypodium leucotomos, a commercially marketed fern extract, improves facial melasma in Hispanic women with moderate to severe melasma. Subjects will be randomized to either Group 1, which will receive oral Polypodium leucotomos extract plus topical sunscreen, or Group 2, which will receive oral placebo plus topical sunscreen. The study will last 12 weeks, and we hypothesize that the Polypodium leucotomos group will have more improvement in their melasma compared to the placebo group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
40
240 mg capsule of Polypodium leucotomos extract will be taken orally three times daily
This placebo capsule will be taken orally three times daily
Mexameter score
Using rapid, non-invasive, narrow-band reflectance spectrophotometry (Mexameter), we will assess change in intensity of pigment in affected skin versus unaffected skin at 12 weeks
Time frame: 12 weeks
MASI Score
We will use the standardized Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score, assessed by blinded physician investigator, to assess change in severity of melasma at 12 weeks compared to baseline
Time frame: 12 weeks
Melasma-Related Quality of Life
We will use a validated questionnaire tool to assess change in melasma-related quality of life at 12 weeks compared to baseline
Time frame: 12 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.