Microneedling boosts melasma treatments: could metformin or tranexamic acid outperform standard creams?

NCT ID NCT07696806

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION Disease control Sponsor: Sameh Sarsik Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 14, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study compares three topical treatments—metformin, tranexamic acid, and a modified Kligman's formula—delivered via microneedling for facial melasma in adult women. Eighty participants are randomly assigned to one of four groups, including a saline control. The main goal is to measure changes in melasma severity and skin appearance over the follow-up period.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Metformin 30% topical lotion, tranexamic acid 0.5% topical solution, modified Kligman's formula (topical combination)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could offer a more effective, minimally invasive treatment option for melasma, potentially reducing pigmentation and improving skin appearance.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 80 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Melasma often recurs, and the treatments may cause skin irritation or other side effects.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Melanosis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

MELASMA (FACIAL MELASMA)

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Faculty of Medicine

Tanta, Egypt

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