Tranexamic acid provides a promising long-term line of defence in combatting the stubbornest types of melasma, age or sunspots, as well as other forms of skin discolouration.
“Tranexamic acid can be truly transformative for some people, where other treatments for their pigmentation concerns have proven to be ineffective.”
While renowned for its healing properties regarding heavy nosebleeds and periods, tranexamic acid has recently been revealed to also have powerful potential as an extremely safe method for combatting skin pigmentation problems, regardless of skin type.
Taken orally for a ‘global impact’ (meaning there will be improvement across the entire body), or intradermally (injected into the skin with a fine mesotherapy needle) for a more focused intervention, this hero ingredient is a synthetic derivative of a-amino acid lysine, which interrupts melanin production and its transference into the skin to fade dark spots caused by age or sun damage. It may even be able to reverse UV-induced hyperpigmentation (dark patches of skin) and improve discolouration caused by acne scarring.
Intradermal mesotherapy injections of tranexamic acid performed by a therapist can be an effective way to spot treat irritating patches of hyperpigmentation.
Oral tranexamic acid is sometimes taken as an alternative or accompaniment to hydroquinone (when hydroquinone alone hasn’t provided effective). Patients simply need to be assessed for suitability by a doctor or nurse prescriber, as well as being tested for propensity to blood clotting before receiving a three-month prescription.
Oral tranexamic acid, because it’s taken orally, works across the whole body in a universal movement. Intradermal mesotherapy with tranexamic acid just treats the designated area.
Both treatments are ideal for people where other treatments have failed to stop pigmentation issues in their tracks, although intradermal (injected) tranexamic acid is often used as a straightforward supplement to support early interventions.
Tranexamic acid also has anti-inflammatory benefits, helping to prevent bleeding, bruising and swelling post-surgery.
The effects for some people can be very long lasting; because tranexamic acid serves to block melanin production, as well as fading existing dark spots, it may also prevent new discolouration forming in the future. However, for other people, as soon as the tranexamic acid treatment is stopped, the pigmentation issue will gradually return. In these cases, we’ll generally consider other options within our Pigmentation Reduction Services to assess what else might keep your issue at bay.
There is no downtime associated with tranexamic acid, aside from minor irritation and redness with the intradermal mesotherapy, but please note that all treatment responses and recovery times are dependent on the individual patient.
Other treatments patients can explore beforehand include Sciton JOULE® Light & Laser Technologies, radiofrequency microneedling therapy INTRAcel and Chemical Peels.
Intradermal mesotherapy injections of tranexamic acid can be either a solo treatment or, for the very best results, performed alongside other treatments from our Pigmentation Reduction Services menu.
While considered suitable for all skin types, oral tranexamic acid needs to be avoided by anyone with cardiovascular or respiratory disease, a history of thrombosis (including DVT), or who regularly travels long distance, is taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), or who is taking hormonal medicine such as the contraceptive pill. A blood test is necessary prior to treatment in order to assess suitability.
Intradermal mesotherapy with tranexamic acid is suitable for most people.
Here are a few final things that you might like to know before taking things forward. If you have any other questions we haven’t thought of yet, no problem! Please email us at hello@thelovelyclinic.co.uk and one of the team will get back to you as quickly as they possibly can.
While there is no reversal process per se, you can stop using tranexamic acid at any point. However, halting a course of treatment does mean that the pigmentation is likely to return. To get the best results for each patient, we’ll create an individualised post-tranexamic acid plan to ensure a smooth transition off the medication.
No, aside the possible small discomfort of an injection (depending on how it’s administered), there is no pain.
The medication will take effect approximately a month after the initial treatment, but you’ll need to wait for at least three months to see the best results.
There are risks that are important to discuss with your doctor. Some patients may experience headaches, nausea, an upset stomach, congestion, numbness in the legs, hypomenorrhea (vaginal bleeding), a runny or congested nose. Serious risks include deep vein thrombosis, acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks) or pulmonary embolism (a blood clot that blocks and stops blood flowing to the lungs).
