ASCP Skin Deep

JULY | AUGUST 2021

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Listen to the ASCP Esty Talk podcast at ascpskincare.com/podcasts 35 INGREDIENTS Tranexamic Acid by Ella Cressman TRANEXAMIC ACID (TXA) IS TAKING its spot (pun completely intended) as an industry contender for pigment management. TXA is a synthetic form of lysine, an amino acid that was originally intended as a drug for the treatment of hemophilia to prevent excessive blood loss in surgeries and for heavy menstrual bleeding. It is now gaining enthusiastic popularity as a pigment- management agent, because it works by blocking the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin by inhibiting an activator. This results in less free arachidonic acid production, which reduces prostaglandin (PG) levels. By reducing PG levels, TXA reduces melanocyte tyrosinase activity. And we know that tyrosinase is the culprit of many unwanted pigment spots! This makes it an effective ingredient in addressing hard-to-treat melasma, sun (UV- induced) damage, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). TXA can be taken internally, applied topically, or even injected intradermally. But just how effective is it? TXA TAKEN INTERNALLY (PRESCRIPTION) Physicians noticed a fortunate side effect of TXA on patients suffering from melasma (TXA was originally prescribed for blood clotting as an antifibrinolytic), so research ensued for the use of TXA as an oral method of application. In a 2016 study, researchers noted that TXA taken internally helped with refractory melasma as a standalone (not used in conjunction with other pigment therapies, such as laser, topical lighteners, peels, etc.) treatment. 1 Researchers included data from 561 participants (513 female, 48 male), 94.5 percent of which had previously used topical depigmentation creams, and 35.5 percent had received IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy or laser treatments. Participants took an oral dose of TXA twice daily for at least four months, and 89.7 percent of patients indicated improvement in their melasma after eight weeks taking TXA internally. 2

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