| Problem: Cutaneous hyperpigmentation is a common and clinically important dermatological condition which can lead to significant psychosocial distress for patients of all ethnicities. Hyperpigmentation can result from melasma, solar lentigines or post-inflammatory conditions. Also, in many regions of the world, having a light and even skin color is highly valued. There are numerous topical skin care products containing skin lightening agents available commercially but there is a constant search for safer, better tolerated and more effective alternatives. Recent studies have recognized the cutaneous effects of topical niacinamide, including decreased appearance of aging and reduction in erythema, sallowness and hyperpigmentation. This is a review of the human clinical studies performed to investigate the efficacy of niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation in all Fitzpatrick skin phototypes. Methods: A manual search was conducted using PubMed for relevant human clinical studies that have been conducted on the use of niacinamide, as the sole skin-lightening agent or in combination, for the treatment of hyperpigmentation in various skin types. Results: Query resulted in seven human clinical trials investigating the efficacy of niacinamide alone or in combination with other agents to reduce cutaneous hyperpigmentation. Conclusions: Multiple clinical studies have researched topical niacinamide's efficacy in reducing hyperpigmentation in Caucasian and light-skinned Asian subjects (Fitzpatrick skin phototypes II--IV) and one study conducted using Indian subjects, but no studies have been directed toward cutaneous pigmentation disorders specifically in subjects with darker-skin types (Fitzpatrick skin phototypes V--VI). |
