Mechanism of Action of Topical Tranexamic Acid in the Treatment of Melasma and Sun-Induced Skin Hyperpigmentation

The effects of tranexamic acid (TXA), an effective ingredient against melasma and hyperpigmentation due to sunburn, were studied extensively in this article. It indicate that the resulting skin-lightening mechanism after application of TXA on skin involves the suppression of cytokine/chemical mediator production, which stimulates melanin production via the keratinocyte-derived urokinase-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen derived from dermal vascular in the basal layer of the epidermis, thereby suppressing the production of excessive melanin to prevent hyperpigmentation.