IPL plus hydroquinone for refractory melasma (RCT, 2004)

In this trial, 33 Asian patients with hard-to-treat melasma used either IPL plus hydroquinone cream and sunscreen, or the cream and sunscreen alone. The IPL group faded about 40% of their pigment, versus about 12% for cream alone. But two IPL patients got temporary dark spots, and some pigment came back months later. This shows IPL can help melasma but must be used with care, since melasma often returns.