Umbilical Cord as a Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Melasma in Parturients: A Clinical Randomized Trial

This study evaluated the effect of using the umbilical cord as a natural face mask to treat melasma in 50 parturients. Participants were divided into a control group and a treatment group, where the latter received a face mask made from a 10-20 cm section of the umbilical cord applied to hyperpigmented areas for one hour. The Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI) was used to assess hyperpigmentation before and four weeks after the intervention. Results showed a significant decrease in MASI scores in the treatment group (p<0.05), suggesting that the umbilical cord, rich in mesenchymal stem cells, could improve melasma in postpartum women.