Avoid irritants: Be cautious of other skincare products or ingredients that may potentially irritate your skin. Avoid using harsh cleansers, exfoliants, or other products that can cause further irritation or sensitivity when using hydroquinone.
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.
A major key to hydroquinone is short-term use. You can slather it on twice daily for at least six weeks (and no more than six months). After one to three months, you should start to see your hyperpigmentation fade away. At the three-month mark, you should set it aside.
Do not use hydroquinone on your eyes, inside your nose or mouth, or on your lips. If any of these areas accidentally come in contact with hydroquinone, wash thoroughly with water and tell your health care provider.
2.2. 2 Oxidation of hydroquinone Hydroquinone is oxidized by a variety of oxidants including nitric acid, halogens, persulfates and metal salts (NIOSH, 1978). It is also oxidized by molecular oxygen in alkaline solutions. Hydroquinone reacts with molecular oxygen (autooxidation).
Most cosmetics, sunscreens, and moisturizing lotions may be worn over this medicine. Wait several minutes after application of this medicine before applying them.
Combination Tip: Combining hydroquinone with Vitamin C may improve overall efficacy, but due to potential sensitivities, this combination should only be used under the supervision of a dermatologist. Sunscreen: How It Works: Sunscreen is essential for preventing further hyperpigmentation caused by UV exposure.
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.
It's not meant for long-term use, as it might actually make the skin darker, which is a strange effect. It's recommended to take breaks from using it to prevent overuse and a side effect called exogenous ochronosis.
Hydroquinone is not for long-term use; strict sun protection maintains the desired effect. Melasma and dark spots can return after stopping hydroquinone, especially if exposed to the sun.
Hydroquinone's lightening effects are generally visible after 4 weeks of treatment, though some conditions may require a longer treatment plan. If no visible changes occur after 3 months of treatment, you should stop using hydroquinone and consult with your dermatologist about alternative treatment options.
Hydroquinone and Retin-A (Tretinoin)
When used with Hydroquinone, it can speed up the process of fading hyperpigmentation. These two ingredients can be found together in compound preparations or used as separate products for more control.
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.
Alternative lightening agents including mequinol, arbutin, kojic acid, and others have shown comparable efficacy to hydroquinone in treating hyperpigmentation with less concerning side effects.
Instructions for using hydroquinone safely and effectively
Apply a thin layer: Take a small amount of hydroquinone and apply it as a thin layer all over the face - if applied to small affected areas it can lead to a halo effect.
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.
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.
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].
One of the crucial tips dermatologists share with their patients they prescribe hydroquinone to is avoid merging it with benzoyl peroxide in your skin-care routine. Together, they can do the exact opposite of what you want them to do and end up temporarily staining your skin.
What Goes First: Hydroquinone or Vitamin C. Vitamin C goes first, followed by hydroquinone if the former is in serum and the latter in a moisturizer. It's important to let your skin dry after using vitamin C serum and before hydroquinone cream.
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.