To compare the effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TA) combination serum with hydroquinone, the gold standard in whitening agents for healthy populations. This was a three-arm randomized controlled trial. The subjects were divided into three groups: the first group received 3% TA combination serum (3% TA, 4% galactomyces ferment filtrate, 2% niacinamide, and 4% alpha arbutin), the second group received 2% TA combination serum, and the third group received 4% hydroquinone. One milliliter of each serum was applied on three holes: Hole A, which was located 4 cm from the left cubital fossa, Hole B, which was located 4 cm from the first hole, and Hole C, which was located 4 cm from the right cubital fossa. The skin brightness and pigmentation intensity were evaluated each week for 4 weeks using a chromameter. A total of 44 subjects were recruited for this study. All groups showed a significant improvement in skin brightness and pigmentation intensity after 4 weeks (p < .001). There were no differences between the treatment groups and hydroquinone (p > .05). TA serum (2 and 3%) combined with 4% galactomyces ferment filtrate, niacinamide, and alpha arbutin is an effective depigmenting agent.
Keywords: depigmenting agent; topical tranexamic acid.
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