No one is really certain exactly what causes melasma, but there are many factors that can trigger it including pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone therapy, cosmetics, and anti-seizure medications. Because melasma is so common during pregnancy, it is sometimes referred to as “the mask of pregnancy.” Sun exposure is also a major melasma trigger because ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun can increase melanin production.
Lazma is the only FDA-approved melasma treatment with 3 active ingredients, uniquely combined and more effective then treatments containing only two of the ingredients.
Lazma cream is available in 15gm (Pink) and 30gm (Blue) pack sizes
Lazma Cream is a unique triple-combination topical therapy for the short-term (8-week ) treatment of the dark spots associated with moderate-to-severe facial melasma.
1.
Fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% is a mild corticosteroid that reduces inflammation.
2.
Hydroquinone 4% is a depigmenting agent that interrupts the formation and synthesis of melanin to help lighten the skin.
3.
Tretinoin 0.05% works by increasing the skin cell turnover rate, which helps exfoliate the skin.
Lazma Cream should always be used in conjunction with sun-avoidance measures, like using sunscreens and wearing protective clothing. Lazma improves the appearance of melasma but continous therapy is required for sustainable results.
Lazma® Cream (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) should always be used as instructed by your doctor. To use the medicine correctly, follow these steps:
Use a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 and a wide-brimmed hat over the treated areas. It requires only a small amount of sunlight—not just a sunburn—to worsen melasma. If you do get sunburned, stop using Lazma Cream until your skin is healed. After stopping treatment with Lazma Cream, continue to protect your skin from sunlight.
Only your doctor knows which other medicines may be helpful during treatment and will tell you about them if needed. Do not use other medicines unless your doctor approves them.
You should not use Lazma Cream (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) if you are allergic to sulfites, as you may have a life-threatening allergic reaction. You should also not use Lazma Cream if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please refer to the full prescribing information for a complete list of ingredients.
You should also be aware that the use of Lazma Cream in pregnant women may carry the chance of causing birth defects in the baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.
Your doctor will talk with you about the benefits and risks of using Lazma Cream during pregnancy to help decide if the benefits for you are greater than the risks. You may decide to delay treatment until after your baby is born. Using Lazma Cream early in pregnancy may be more likely to produce birth defects than using it later in pregnancy.
The safety and efficacy of Lazma Cream in people with darker skin (Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI) has not been studied. In addition, Lazma Cream contains a corticosteroid that may produce reversible effects on the adrenal gland called hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, so tell your doctor if you have any condition that may affect your adrenal function, such as Addison's disease.
Only your doctor can determine if Lazma Cream is the appropriate treatment option for you.
Lazma Cream (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) may improve your melasma, but it is not a cure.
In studies, after 8 weeks of treatment with Lazma Cream, most patients with moderate-to-severe melasma had at least some improvement. Some had their dark spots clear up completely (38% in one study and 13% in another). In most patients treated with Lazma Cream, their melasma came back after treatment was discontinued.
If the underlying causes of melasma—such as the use of certain birth control pills or too much exposure to sunlight—are not removed, melasma will come back when you stop treatment.
You should avoid sunlight and ultraviolet light. Lazma Cream (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) can make your skin more likely to get sunburned or develop other unwanted effects from natural or artificial sunlight (as from a sunlamp or tanning bed). Dark skin patches may also become darker when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Any level of sun exposure can contribute to or trigger melasma—you don't have to be sunburned to make your melasma worse.
It is important to protect your skin from the sun to help prevent further darkening of existing dark patches and the formation of new ones.
Staying out of the sun is especially important for women who take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, and for people who have had dark patches in the past.
Your doctor can recommend ways to manage your melasma under these conditions.
These may include soaps and cleansers that are rough or cause dryness; certain astringents, such as alcohol-containing products, soaps and toiletries containing alcohol, spices, or lime; or certain medicated soaps, shampoos, and hair permanent products.
The medicines and products you have used in the past may cause redness or peeling when used with Lazma Cream.
Some patients may have very severe allergic reactions to Lazma Cream (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) due to the sulfites contained in the product. In some cases, these allergic reactions may result in severe asthma attacks, which can be life threatening.
While you use Lazma Cream, your skin may develop mild-to-moderate redness, peeling, burning, dryness, or itching.
Lazma Cream contains a corticosteroid medicine as one of its active components. The following side effects have been reported with application of corticosteroid medicines to the skin: itching, irritation, dryness, infection of the hair follicle, acne, changes in skin color, inflammation around the mouth, allergic skin reaction, skin infection, skin thinning, stretch marks and sweat problems. In addition, Lazma Cream contains a corticosteroid that may produce reversible effects on the adrenal gland called hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, so tell your doctor if you have any condition that may affect your adrenal function, such as Addison's disease.
Some patients using Lazma Cream develop dark spots on their skin, tingling, increased skin sensitivity, rash, acne, skin redness caused by a condition called rosacea, skin bumps, blisters, or tiny red lines or blood vessels showing through the skin. Lazma Cream may also cause a gradual blue-black darkening of your skin; if this happens, stop using the product immediately and speak to your doctor.
If you are concerned about how your skin is reacting to Lazma Cream, call your doctor.
Stop using Lazma Cream (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) and contact your doctor if you experience:
You should discuss the chances that your baby may be harmed. Using Lazma Cream early in pregnancy may be more likely to produce birth defects than using it later in pregnancy.
Additionally, Lazma Cream is indicated for the short-term (up to 8 weeks) treatment of moderate-to-severe melasma of the face. It is not indicated for long-term use (more than 8 weeks) or for the maintenance of melasma symptoms.
Only your doctor, dermatologist, or other licensed health care professional can determine ifLazma Cream (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) is a good treatment option for you. If you and your doctor decide onLazma Cream for the treatment of your moderate-to-severe melasma, you can obtain your prescription either through your doctor's office or at a pharmacy.
Lazma Cream (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) is indicated for the short-term (up to 8 weeks) treatment of moderate-to-severe melasma of the face. It is not for long-term use (more than 8 weeks) or for the maintenance of melasma symptoms.
In studies, patients experienced improvement of their melasma with the use ofLazma Cream as early as 4 weeks. After 8 weeks of treatment withLazma Cream, most patients had at least some improvement. Some had their dark spots clear up completely (38% in one study and 13% in another), but most subjects had their melasma recur after treatment was discontinued.
If the underlying causes of melasma—such as the use of certain birth control pills or too much exposure to sunlight—are not removed, melasma will most likely come back when you stop treatment. In studies, most patients treated with Lazma® Cream (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) over 8 weeks saw their melasma come back after concluding treatment.
Lazma® Cream (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) may improve the appearance of your melasma, but it is not a cure.