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T. B. FITZPATRICK, MD; K. A. ARNDT, MD; A. M. EL MOFTY, MD; M. A. PATHAK, PhD

Arch Dermatol. 1966;93(5):589-600.

Abstract
Of the various available chemical agents that affect the process of melanin pigmentation only two are of practical therapeutic value: hydroquinone and psoralen derivatives.

Hydroquinone, a known inhibitor of the tyrosine-tyrosinase system, is a moderately effective topical agent for decreasing hypermelanosis in all races. A 2% cream of stabilized hydroquinone effectively decreased hypermelanosis without untoward effects in 63.5% of the 93 patients studied.

The history, sources, chemistry, and photobiology of the psoralens are described.

A decade of experience indicates that early misgivings that psoralen derivatives might induce serious untoward effects were unjustified.

The larger doses of psoralens advocated by El Mofty in Egypt for the treatment of vitiligo appear to be more effective than the smaller doses generally advocated by others. Because no more satisfactory agents are yet available for the treatment of vitiligo, the use of psoralen derivatives is recommended in some cases of vitiligo.

Author Affiliations
BOSTON

From the Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School and the Dermatological Service of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. Dr. El Mofty is presently at the Department of Dermatology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Dec 15, 1965.

Read before the 85th Annual Meeting of the American Dermatological Association, Boca Raton, Fla, Feb 25-March 2, 1965.

Reprint requests to Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114 (Dr. Fitzpatrick).

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