Efficacy of sweet orange peels (citrus sinensis l.) 0.1% extract cream on improvement of axillary postinflammatory hyperpigmentation

Abstract

Background Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is not harmful but can affect appearance and quality of life. It occurs due to increased melanin production after cutaneous injury or inflammation. Axillary hyperpigmentation, one of the commonly acquired hypermelanosis, raises concern, and treatment regarding this condition is still evolving. Sweet orange contains several components that can improve pigmentation through tyrosinase inhibition and antioxidant mechanisms. The objective was to determine the efficacy of sweet orange peel extract cream on axillary hyperpigmentation. Methods This quasi-experimental study is a pretest-posttest design on 32 subjects with axillary hyperpigmentation. Diagnosis is established through history taking and clinical evaluation. Evaluation of melanin index using Mexameter® MX18 was carried out at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8. Clinical evaluation improvement made using Physician Global Assessment. Side effects and satisfaction during the study are also recorded. The data is processed using the Friedman test, with p <0.05 considered significant. Results There was a statistically significant decrease in melanin index on axillary hyperpigmentation (p<0.01) after eight weeks of administration of 0.1% sweet orange peel extract cream. In this study, there were clinical improvements and no side effects in the subjects. All subjects were satisfied with the result of the application of 0.1% sweet orange peel extract cream. Conclusions The use of 0.1% sweet orange peel extract cream can improve axillary postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.