Evaluation of sunscreen plus α-arbutin in photoexposure-induced melasma in Peruvian workers

Abstract

Introduction. Agricultural workers are highly exposed to UV radiation, increasing the risk of photoaging, cataracts, immunosuppression, carcinoma, and melasma. The latter is chronic, costly, and prone to frequent relapses, aggravated by hormonal factors and skin type. Although sunscreens and depigmenting agents reduce its intensity, they have adverse effects. α-Arbutin shows promising results but with limited evidence. Objective. To determine the effect of sunscreen plus α-arbutin on photo-induced melasma in workers at an agricultural company in Chilca in 2021. Materials and method. The design was quantitative, an open clinical trial, with a sample of 36 workers. Observation and interviews were used as data collection techniques, and the MASI index was used to assess melasma, which was measured at two points in time, on days 1 and 30 of treatment with SPF 50+ sunscreen plus 6% α-arbutin. Results. It was observed that the density of melasma decreased significantly 30 days after application of SPF 50+ sunscreen plus α-arbutin (13,1 vs. 9 median MASI score, p=0.000). 44,4% of workers had moderate MASI on day 1, and this category was reduced to 22,2% on day 30. 69,5% of employees did not experience any adverse events, and when they did, the most frequent was burning. Conclusion. A significant decrease in photo-induced melasma was observed with the combined treatment of SPF 50+ sunscreen plus α-arbutin for 30 days.