Adverse Effects 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.
Hydroquinone can cause a gradual blue-black darkening of the skin known as exogenous ochronosis. Stop using the product and tell your health care provider if you notice any darkening of the skin.
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.
They will use a cream with no more than 4% hydroquinone in conjunction with the frequent application of an SPF 30 sunscreen for the best results. Solutions of 2% are the most readily available, while 4% hydroquinone creams can only be prescribed in the most challenging cases.
Continue prescribing hydroquinone for no more than four to five months. Allow the skin to rest and restore itself for two to three months after hydroquinone therapy. Resume hydroquinone therapy, if needed, only after such a break.
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.
Vitamin C has powerful antioxidant properties, neutralising free radicals to help protect the skin from damage caused by the sun's rays and other external aggressors. It's also gained a reputation for its ability to lighten areas of hyperpigmentation, helping visibly fade dark spots to achieve a more even skin tone.
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.
Ochronosis is the bluish-black discoloration of certain tissues, such as the ear cartilage and the ocular tissue, seen with alkaptonuria, a metabolic disorder.
Hydroquinone is a skin-bleaching agent that is used to lighten areas of skin. Hydroquinone works by decreasing the production and increasing the breakdown of melanosomes in melanocytes. In most cases, lightening of skin should be seen after four weeks of treatment.
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.
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.
In some cases, unproven treatments may aggravate the skin. For example, the American Society for Dermatological Surgery does not recommend lemon juice or abrasive scrubs, as these methods could make dark spots worse.
In the absence of SPF, you may notice at times that your skin is easily tanned. Either tan or your skin may have turned into a funny orange or peach-ish color. It is because Vitamin C is extremely potent but it can easily react with the air, light and heat in the environment to only make your skin appear darker.
Vitamins can be used to lighten your skin and lighten dark spots. Three of the best vitamins for lightening dark spots are vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Vitamin C helps your skin produce more collagen while inhibiting the formation of melanin.
Safe use of hydroquinone includes using it under the supervision of a dermatologist. It should be applied only to the affected darkened areas of skin to avoid lightening of normal skin. It should not be used for extended periods of time as it can actually cause darkening of the skin .
According to the Dogliotti classification system, clinical stages are classified as follows, stage 1 for erythema and mild hyperpigmentation; stage 2 denotes progressive hyperpigmentation, pigmented colloid milium, caviar-like lesions, and scanty atrophy; and stage 3 indicates the presence of papulonodular or sarcoid- ...
Hydroquinone is applied topically just to the hyperpigmented skin only, twice daily for 3 months, after which time many patients maintain their improvement by using it twice each week. If there has been no benefit after 3 months of treatment, then the hydroquinone should be stopped.
Skin pigmentation is a common condition that can be triggered by various factors. The three leading causes of skin pigmentation are genetics, sun exposure, and particular medications. Understanding the fundamental causes of skin pigmentation will help us understand how to treat and prevent it [2].
There's also evidence that it may help manage dry skin, acne, and age spots, among other conditions. ACV is generally safe to use, but it does come with a risk of irritation or worsening skin symptoms, especially for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions.