With continued use, hydroquinone and mercury can build up in your body, which may cause harm. The FDA has received reports of serious side effects from the use of hydroquinone, including rashes, facial swelling, and permanent skin discoloration (ochronosis).
One concern is that it may cause the opposite effect of hyperpigmentation, called ochronosis. This is a condition where the skin becomes dark and thick, which can be difficult to treat. Hydroquinone can also cause skin irritation, especially if it is used in high concentrations or for long periods of time.
With GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status, hexylresorcinol is a great choice for beauty brands seeking to provide skin lightening and even toning benefits in their next skin care formula. Hexylresorcinol was introduced to the skin care market in 2007 under the trade name Synovea® HR.
Hydroquinone, a tyrosinase inhibitor, in a 4% cream can be used safely twice daily for up to 6 months to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The efficacy of this treatment can be enhanced by using a retinoid nightly and a mid-potent steroid, which is applied twice daily for 2 weeks, then at weekends only.
You need a doctor's prescription to buy hydroquinone cream online or in a physical pharmacy. You can have a online consultation with a dermatologist. After the consultation they will issue a prescription containing for hydroquinone cream if it's safe and medically appropriate for you.
While oral consumption probably is not related to topical application, hydroquinone remains controversial because it actually is toxic to melanocytes. Hydroquinone, a phenolic compound chemically known as 1,4 dihydroxybenzene, functions by inhibiting the enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine and phenol oxidases.
Alternative lightening agents including mequinol, arbutin, kojic acid, and others have shown comparable efficacy to hydroquinone in treating hyperpigmentation with less concerning side effects.
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.
Tretinoin is an anti-aging powerhouse, meaning it should have no problem dispatching fine lines and wrinkles. It does not work for deeper wrinkles. Hydroquinone doesn't work at all against fine lines and wrinkles, so stick to the collagen-boosting power of tretinoin.
Most commonly, celebrities resort to chemical peels or laser therapy to get rid of hyperpigmentation fast. Others opt for vitamin C supplements, retinol, or serums to lighten their skin.
Second, the finding that azelaic acid has a better safety profile than hydroquinone suggests that it may be especially suitable for individuals susceptible to skin irritation or concerned about hydroquinone's potential adverse effects.
For discrete areas of hyperpigmentation, hydroquinone should only be applied to areas of discolouration and not the entire face. Your doctor will advise whether to use it locally or over a wider area.
For years, 4% Hydroquinone, a prescription drug, has been considered the gold standard for treating hyperpigmentation and is the key ingredient in our Obagi Nu-Derm® Systems.
Hydroquinone has also frequently been misused. It must not be used as an all-over skin lightening treatment and such procedures should be avoided. After much research, dermatologists have concluded that, in low concentrations, hydroquinone is safe to use and can produce some excellent results.
Another double-blind randomized study comparing tazarotene 0.1% to tretinoin 0.05% over a 24 week period also found tazarotene to be more efficacious than tretinoin for fine and coarse wrinkling, overall photodamage, and mottled hyperpigmentation.
Arbutin has been found to be the most effective active ingredient in our study, even more so than hydroquinone, despite being a naturally occurring derivative.
Avoid using hydroquinone with peroxide products such as benzoyl peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, which can cause discoloration. 3. Avoid alpha hydroxy acids. The combination of hydroquinone and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can irritate your skin.
The patch pattern can also help you determine if you have melasma or hyperpigmentation. "Hyperpigmentation is usually very focused, whereas melasma appears as broad patches with intervening areas of clearing," says Anthony Rossi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
The lesions may develop gradually over 6 months to 3 years or longer. [8] Two recent case reports from India mention the occurrence of EO with use of 2% hydroquinone preparations for 7–8 years.
One alternative is azelaic acid, which can be used when pregnant or breastfeeding, both of which are times when hormones can drive pigmentation to worsen. It can even be used when other issues co-exist, such as acne or rosacea. Vitamin A is another great ingredient.
Hydroquinone (HQ)
HQ is the agent of choice for skin lightening. Combining HQ with a steroid cream and tretinoin have superior efficacy when compared to HQ alone. Although it's considered safe, there may be side effects and is subject to pre-market approval by Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
How to use hydroquinone. Read our guide on how to use hydroquinone. Hydroquinone Use and Availability: Hydroquinone is a popular skin-lightening ingredient used to treat conditions like melasma and hyperpigmentation, but it now requires a prescription due to FDA regulations and potential health risks.