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Tranexamic acid for skin treatments

Tranexamic acid works differently from other skin lightening ingredients to treat skin hyperpigmentation.

It can be combined with other skin whitening products in your skin care routine.

But- the best products have at least 1% TXA in them. This blog is all about how tranexamic acid works, and the best products for different skin types. 

Find your skin type for free with our quiz!

Used in skin care for evening skin pigment by interfering with melanin in various ways.

No particular dangers unless you are allergic to it.

Well studied and increasing in popularity.

Tranexamic acid

Tranexamic acid products

These days, there are more and more tranexamic acid products entering the market. It can be challenging to figure out which ones are the best. For that reason, I've put a few of my favorite tranexamic acid products for you here:

How does tranexamic acid (TXA) work on hyperpigmentation?

TXA blocks melanin production through a 3 step process:

  1. Inhibits plasmin
  2. Decreases tyrosinase activity in melanocytes
  3. Reduces prostaglandin synthesis

It only works well on hyperpigmentation caused by increased blood flow to the skin. (at least that is the current belief but studies are ongoing.)

Who should use tranexamic acid for skin?

Tranexamic acid is use to treat hyperpigmentation. When used orally and topically it can improve:

Topical tranexamic does not prevent PIH, but has been shown to speed clearing of post inflammatory pigmentation. (1)

Injected intradermal tranexamic acid has been shown to prevent PIH. (4)

Is tranexamic acid an exfoliant?

No. Tranexamic is not an exfoliant.

Hydroquinone

Is tranexamic acid as good as hydroquinone?

Hydroquinone is usually much more effective than TXA topically.

This is because topical TXA is usually a very low dose in cosmeceuticals while hydroquinone is prescription and is usually 4-10%.

TXA does not absorb as well into the skin as hydroquinone does.

In research trials that use 3-5% of TXA, we see that TXA might work as well as hydroquinone.

Here are the research studies:

2014: A randomized, split-face trial compared 3% topical TXA versus 3% HQ and 0.01% dexamethasone used twice daily for 12 weeks. The improvement was better in the TXA group but the difference was not statistically significant. (9)

2015: A study compared 5% TXA versus 4% HQ cream for the treatment of melasma and did not find a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. (10)

2017: Another study in 2017 compared 5% TXA with 2% hydroquinone and did not show a statistical difference. (11)

Is oral TXA as good as hydroquinone?

Oral tranexamic acid is much more effective than topical hydroquinone for treating melasma.

The topical formulations of TXA are not as effective as TXA orally or injected into the skin.

TXA pills and injections work much better than hydroquinone.

What can you layer tranexamic acid with?

TXA does not tend to react with other ingredients so it can be mixed with retinol, AHA, BHA, hydroquinone, vitamin C, kojic acid, arbutin and other skin lightening ingredients.

Niacinamide

Tranexamic acid and niacinamide together?

These are good skin lightening ingredients to use together because they work in 2 different ways.

Retinol

Tranexamic acid and retinol together?

These are great ingredients to use together but they should be used at different times in your skin care routine.

Hyaluronic acid

Tranexamic acid and hyaluronic acid together?

It is a good idea to use HA serums and TXA together because:

Is TXA right for you? When is the best time to use it in your skin care routine?

We can help you build the best skin care routine for your Baumann Skin Type.

How is Tranexamic acid used?

TXA is used in 3 main ways:

  1. topically in skin serums and creams
  2. injected into dark spots
  3. orally in a tablet pill form

Topical Tranexamic Acid Serums and Creams

Topical TXA is included in skin care products with formulations at a dose of up to 5% (8).

The most effective TXA skin care products have at least 1% of TXA.

TXA absorbs poorly so the products that you combine with it in your skin care routine matters a lot!

intradermal tranexamic acid injections

Intradermal Tranexamic Acid

TXA is injected into skin and after microneedling i to treat dyschromia.

It comes in a liquid form and most protocols use 4–100 mg/mL.

Several studies have looked at intradermal TXA or TXA applied after microneedling, however there is no consensus on dose and how often to inject.

At this time it is too early to say if TXA is an effective treatment when used in this manner. (12)

Oral tranexamic acid for skin

Oral tranexamic acid is not approved by the FDA but it is often used to treat melasma.

It works by decreasing blood flow to the skin.

This means that TXA will NOT work on dark spots that are not caused by an increased blood flow.

Dose of the tranexamic acid pill for hyperpigmentation

The most commonly used dose of TXA for melasma is350 mg two times a day. a 600mg tablet is broken in half to give a dose of 350 mg.

Studies that show oral tranexamic acid is good for melasma

Many studies show oral TXA works well to treat melasma.

In one study, 44 patients with melasma took 250mg of TXA by mouth two times a day for 3 months. (7)

They had a 49% improvement of melasma as assessed by the MASI score.

Many other studies have shown efficacy as well.

are the effects of tranexamic acid permanent?

Are the skin lightening effects of oral tranexamic acid permanent?

It is unknown how long the skin whitening effects of TXA will last, but they are not permanent.

Melasma tends to recur and relapse. This is seen after TXA treatment as with any other melasma treatments.

In one study (7), 26% of patients continued to show improvement at 3 months (49% had improvement at end of the study)- so only about half still showed improvement at 3 months.

You can help prevent recurrence of melasma after stopping tranexamic acid with:

 

Two skin care routines for melasma- a maintenance regimen and a treatment regimen

Habits to minimize pigmentation and help get rid of melasma

Treating melasma from the inside with anti-inflammatory diet and supplements

How long should I take tranexamic acid for melasma?

There is no consensus on how long TXA should be used. Most doctors have you take it until melasma clears or for 3 months.

We do not know many things about using TXA for melasma:

  1. Should be a treatment holiday?
  2. How long it is safe to take?
  3. How common is relapse?
  4. How long after stopping tranexamic acid does it recur?

TXA is a promising medication for the treatment of melasma, but more studies and clinical experience is needed to determine the most effective treatment and maintenance protocols.

Side effects of oral tranexamic acid

The most common side effects are GI complaints such as nausea and diarrhea.

Blood clots are a risk with TXA, but clots have not to my knowledge been reported in patients taking TXA for melasma treatment.

risks of tranexamic acid

Contraindications to oral tranexamic acid

Oral TXA Tranexamic acid can increase the risk of blood clots when used orally.

Do not take the tranexamic acid pills if you:

  • are on estrogen containing oral contraceptives
  • are taking estrogen for hormone replacement therapy
  • have a history of blood clots
  • have an increased risk of blood clots
  • are planning a very long flight or time period of inactivity such as bed rest
  • are pregnant

Do not take tranexamic acid pills if you have any of these medical issues:

  • Acute promyelocytic leukemia patients on oral tretinoin
  • History of blood clots,
  • History of deep vein thrombosis
  • History of pulmonary embolism
  • History of stroke
  • Stroke
  • Kidney disease—The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding

Discuss with your doctor before taking TXA if you are on any of these because of increased risk of blood clots:

  • Desogestrel
  • Dienogest
  • Drospirenone
  • Estradiol
  • Ethinyl Estradiol
  • Ethynodiol
  • Etonogestrel
  • Gestodene
  • Levonorgestrel
  • Medroxyprogesterone
  • Mestranol
  • Nomegestrol
  • Norelgestromin
  • Norethindrone
  • Norgestimate
  • Norgestrel
  • Segesterone

The best way to know if oral or injected TXA is a good option for you is to see one of our doctors or medical providers.

Other names for tranexamic acid

  • Trans-4-aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid
  • trans-AMCHA
  • TXA
  • Melasma pill
  • Melasma tablet

Wondering if topical TXA is good for your skin type?

Take our free quiz and find out today!

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Is tranexamic acid safe?

As long as you aren't allergic to tranexamic acid, no studies suggest that it is dangerous in skin care.

Is tranexamic acid expensive?

Many of the best skin lightening products, including but not limited to tranexamic acid products, are expensive in terms of skin care. That said, there are many brands such as Derma Made who focus on affordability and have budget friendly skin lightening products with tranexamic acid. 

References and peer reviewed medical publication on tranexamic acid:


  1. Rutnin, S., Pruettivorawongse, D., Thadanipon, K., & Vachiramon, V. (2019). A prospective randomized controlled study of oral tranexamic acid for the prevention of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation after Q?switched 532?nm Nd: YAG laser for solar lentigines. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 51(10), 850-858.
  2. Sirithanabadeekul, P., & Srieakpanit, R. (2018). Intradermal tranexamic acid injections to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after solar lentigo removal with a Q-switched 532-nm Nd: YAG laser. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 20(7-8), 398-404.
  3. Forbat, E., Al?Niaimi, F., & Ali, F. R. (2020). The emerging importance of tranexamic acid in dermatology. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 45(4), 445-449.
  4. Lindgren, A. L., Austin, A. H., & Welsh, K. M. (2021). The use of tranexamic acid to prevent and treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. J Drugs Dermatol, 20(3), 344-345.
  5. Hasegawa, K., Fujiwara, R., Sato, K., Park, J. Y., Kim, S. J., Kim, M., & Kang, H. Y. (2016). Increased blood flow and vasculature in solar lentigo. The Journal of dermatology, 43(10), 1209-1213.
  6. Baumann L. Ch 41 Depigmenting Ingredients in Baumann's Cosmetic Dermatology 3rd edition (McGraw hill 2022)
  7. Del Rosario, E., Florez-Pollack, S., Zapata Jr, L., Hernandez, K., Tovar-Garza, A., Rodrigues, M., ... & Pandya, A. G. (2018). Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of oral tranexamic acid in the treatment of moderate-to-severe melasma. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 78(2), 363-369.
  8. McKesey, J., Tovar-Garza, A., & Pandya, A. G. (2020). Melasma treatment: an evidence-based review. American journal of clinical dermatology, 21(2), 173-225.
  9. Ebrahimi B, Naeini FF. Topical tranexamic acid as a promising treatment for melasma. J Res Med Sci. 2014;19(8):753–7.
  10. Banihashemi M, Zabolinejad N, Jaafari MR, Salehi M, Jabari A.Comparison of therapeutic effects of liposomal Tranexamic Acid and conventional Hydroquinone on melasma. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2015;14(3):174–7.
  11. Atef N, Dalvand B, Ghassemi M, Mehran G, Heydarian A. Theraputic effects of topical tranexamic acid in comparison with hydroquinone in treatment of women with Melasma. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):417–24.
  12. McKesey, J., Tovar-Garza, A., & Pandya, A. G. (2020). Melasma treatment: an evidence-based review. American journal of clinical dermatology, 21(2), 173-225.
  13. Wang, J. V., Jhawar, N., & Saedi, N. (2019). Tranexamic acid for melasma: evaluating the various formulations. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 12(8), E73.
  14. Hasegawa, K., Fujiwara, R., Sato, K., Park, J. Y., Kim, S. J., Kim, M., & Kang, H. Y. (2016). Increased blood flow and vasculature in solar lentigo. The Journal of dermatology, 43(10), 1209-1213.
  15. Nakamura, M., Morita, A., Seité, S., Haarmann?Stemmann, T., Grether?Beck, S., & Krutmann, J. (2015). Environment?induced lentigines: formation of solar lentigines beyond ultraviolet radiation. Experimental dermatology, 24(6), 407-411.

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