Triple combination as adjuvant to cryotherapy in the treatment of solar lentigines: investigator-blinded, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a frequent concern when treating solar lentigines.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of a triple combination cream with fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4% and tretinoin 0.05% as adjuvant to cryotherapy in the treatment of solar lentigines in hands dorsum, and in the prevention of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after cryotherapy.

METHODS: This prospective, randomized, controlled, investigator-blinded, single-centre study enrolled 50 patients. Twenty-five patients received a 2-week daily triple combination cream plus sunscreen pre-treatment and 25 received sunscreen alone. After that, cryotherapy was performed in all patients followed by a 3-week recovery period. After this period, patients received the same initial treatment and were followed up for 8 weeks. Melanin and erythema levels of a target and a control lentigo were objectively measured using a narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer. Lentigines count, colour homogeneity and global improvement were also assessed.

RESULTS: The number of solar lentigines reduced in the first 2 weeks only in patients who used the triple combination 25 ± 7 vs. 22 ± 8 (P < 0.0001), and reduced at the end of the study for both groups (P < 0.0001). The melanin levels also reduced in the first 2 weeks only in patients who used the triple combination 297 ± 69 vs. 273 ± 66 (P < 0.0001) and reduced at the end of the study for both groups (P < 0.0001). Erythema and residual blisters from cryotherapy were the reported adverse reactions.

CONCLUSION: Triple combination cream can be used to enhance the resolution of solar lentigines, and to significantly reduce melanin levels and lentigines count, improving treatment results. It was well-tolerated and did not increase the occurrence of neither erythema nor other side-effects after the cryotherapy.