Hydroquinone is an effective skin lightening agent. The recommended concentration over the counter is 2%, but up to 4% is available from a dermatologist in some countries. It should be used daily for no more than 6 months.
Laser treatment
The most popular and recent laser treatments are Co2 and Q switch which are magical for darker skin. The laser breaks the pigment, makes it smaller, and vanishes it on repeated sessions. That's how the skin gets lightened and whitened. It can be done for full body skin laser whitening or a part thereof.
A concentration of 12% hydroquinone actually prevents the production of melanin altogether. Over the past several years, information about negative side effects from using hydroquinone products has been released.
Hydroquinone. Topical HQ is regarded as the gold standard for the treatment of facial hyperpigmentation. HQ is a bleaching agent that acts by inhibiting tyrosinase to limit melanin production in the skin.
How Retinol Became The Gold Standard In Skincare. If you've ever done any research on skincare products and their ingredients, you'll no doubt have heard of retinol or, at the least, asked “what is retinol?” at some point in time.
Kojic acid captures copper ions, preventing the activation of tyrosinase, thus preventing the formation of melanin [12,14]. Due to its tyrosinase-inhibiting activity, KA is considered one of the most effective skin lightening agents in the beauty industry [15].
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.
According to research, ochranonsis is a condition that might occur following long-term application of skin-lightening creams containing hydroquinone. Ochranosis may cause darkening of the skin, instead of fading a particular spot. Long-term use of Hydroquinone creams may also lead to exogenous ochronotic lesions.
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.
Using physical and chemical exfoliants in your skincare routine will help to lighten your skin at a quicker rate since melanin is expressed in the keratinocytes. Physical exfoliants target the uppermost layer of the skin, thanks to their mechanical motions, which makes it great for superficial discoloration issues.
Laser technology has revolutionized the field of dermatology by offering a safe and efficient method to achieve permanent skin whitening. Laser skin whitening involves the use of specialized lasers that target and break down melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color.
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).
Does hydroquinone lighten skin permanently? No, the results of any skin lightening that hydroquinone brings about are not permanent. The effects can be seen within a couple of months or a few years at the maximum.
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.
If dark spots or uneven skin tone are among your skin concerns, a brightening serum with vitamin C (like CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum) may be your best bet. For anti-aging concerns, try facial serums formulated with ingredients such as retinol and AHAs (like lactic acid and glycolic acid).
Vitamin C aids in the brightening process by priming the skin cells and making them more susceptible to the effects of Glutathione. Additionally, research suggests that Vitamin C itself may possess some brightening properties.
The Brightening Superstar, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C is the best when it comes to skin lightening. Ascorbic acid, the most concentrated form of vitamin C, is a powerful antioxidant that can prevent the synthesis of melanin and lessen the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark patches.
Conclusion: The results of the study show that 4% Hydroquinone cream is a better topical hypopigmenting agent with rapid rate of clinical improvement when compared to 0.75% Kojic Acid cream.