What is tranexamic acid?
Tranexamic acid was originally developed as a medical treatment to reduce bleeding, working by inhibiting an enzyme system (plasmin) involved in blood clotting. Dermatologists later discovered that the same plasmin pathway also plays a role in melasma — UV exposure activates plasmin activity in skin, which in turn stimulates melanocytes and promotes blood vessel changes seen in melasma-affected skin. Blocking this pathway helps calm melasma at a mechanism most other brightening ingredients don't address.
It is available in topical serums and creams, and in some cases as an oral tablet prescribed and monitored by a doctor. At Star Aesthetic Centre, tranexamic acid is used topically as the active ingredient in the melan tran3x home-care range prescribed alongside professional pigmentation treatment.
Why tranexamic acid is particularly effective for melasma
Because melasma has a hormonal and vascular (blood vessel) component that other tyrosinase inhibitors don't directly address, tranexamic acid is often combined with — rather than used instead of — ingredients like kojic acid, niacinamide, or azelaic acid. This multi-pathway approach is why the melan tran3x range combines tranexamic acid with several complementary actives rather than relying on it alone.
Clinical evidence shows tranexamic acid is generally well-tolerated with a lower irritation profile than stronger actives such as hydroquinone, making it suitable for longer-term maintenance use — an important consideration given that melasma is a chronic condition requiring ongoing management rather than a short course of treatment.