After gradually stopping hydroquinone, you might be transitioned to alpha arbutin and alongside retinol or prescription retinoid. This will stabilise the melanin producing cells and reduce the chances of rebound hyperpigmentation. Of course, whilst on hydroquinone, it is absolutely vital to use strict sun protection.
A very important consideration patients should be aware of before starting HQ is that the HQ “Bleaching” effects are reversible, therefore, hyper-pigmentation usually returns after discontinued use in 1-2 months. It is also very important to wean off HQ slowly and gradually.
taper the Hydroquinone. Gradual cessation will minimize any rebound increase activity of tyrosinase. o Apply only 3 times per week for 2 weeks. Then 2 times per week for 2 weeks, then stop use.
How to treat hydroquinone-damaged skin? According to doctors, damage caused by the application of hydroquinone can be reversed by exposing the affected area to the sun. Also, you are recommended to use strong sunscreen along with hydroquinone. In case of irritation, apply anti-itch cream to the infected skin.
This disease entity may be first noticed in newborns as their urine may be darker than normal. People are often without symptoms until later in life when the skin, sclera (white part of the eye), ears, and nose may develop pigmentary changes. Ear wax of a person with ochronosis will also be dark in color.
Skin can become more sensitive to UV radiation during hydroquinone treatment. Without rigorous sun protection, even minimal sun exposure can exacerbate melanin production. This can then cause darkening of the treated area. As you can see, hydroquinone treatment is a double-edged sword.
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“I treat hyperpigmentation regularly using a combined approach of topical treatments and procedures,” Dr. Vashi says. “Procedures include chemical peels with alpha and beta hydroxy acids, microneedling, and certain types of lasers.”
As sun exposure worsens hyperpigmentation it is important to protect the skin with sunscreen on a daily basis. Treatment often begins with a skin care regimen composed of a daily sunscreen, moisturizers, and skin care brighteners.
Topical therapy is the recommended first-line treatment, with the gold standard being hydroquinone, which can be used alone or in combination with other agents.
Rarely ochronosis - ochronosis is a blue-black or gray-blue discoloration; it is rare and more commonly seen in patients that use a high concentration of hydroquinone for a long period on large areas of the body.
The effect of hydroquinone on skin pigmentation is reversible. If you stop, the melanocytes affected by treatment start to resume normal activity, causing the blemishes or spots to gradually reappear.
In melasma, 70% of sufferers notice clearance or reduction in pigmentation with twice daily hydroquinone used for three months. This improvement can be maintained in 50% of individuals with twice weekly application.
It's important to remember that it is a sign of progress and there's nothing to worry about unless you are seeking treatment. The temporary darkening of the hyperpigmentation spots or patches can be discouraging or embarrassing, but remember it is actually a sign that the treatment is working.
The darkening of certain areas of the skin can occur at any age and are often caused by sun exposure, inflammation, hormonal changes, or ageing. When exposed to the sun's damaging UV rays, the skin produces excess melanin, resulting in darker patches or sunspots.
Try: A skin-lightening ingredient like hydroquinone or cysteamine hydrochloride. Hydroquinone has been used for decades to help lighten dark spots. It's recommended for those who have stubborn melasma—you probably don't need hydroquinone if you have mild hyperpigmentation, says Dr.
With exogenous cutaneous ochronosis induced by topical hydroquinones, carbon dioxide lasers and dermabrasion have been reported to be helpful. Reports have described effective therapy with the Q-switched alexandrite 755-nm laser.
Ochronosis resulting from the use of 2% hydroquinone has been described. There are various theories that explain exogenous ochronosis. The most accepted is that of Penneys18 who attributed the hyperpigmentation to the inhibition of the enzyme homogentisic oxidase by hydroquinone.
Melasma is a symmetric progressive hyperpigmentation of the facial skin that has a predilection for darker skin phenotypes. [1] Exogenous ochronosis (EO) is an uncommon disorder characterized by the deposition of microscopic, ochre-colored pigment in the dermis, giving rise to a blue-black hue in the skin.