After your initial consultation, your dermatologist will give you a prescription for a skin lightening cream with hydroquinone. 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.
However, 4% Hydroquinone is a better topical hypopigmenting agent with rapid rate of clinical improvement when compared to 0.75% Kojic Acid cream. The side effects of both the hypopigmenting agents were not significant.
Is Hydroquinone safe to use on my face? Yes, however, specialists recommend its use only in particular areas with hyperpigmentation. Minor side effects are still possible.
“There's also a phenomenon called ochronosis, or increased pigmentation/darkening of the skin that is caused by hydroquinone in high concentrations and with long-term use,” she explains. “It is safe to use in 2% to 4% formulations twice a day for 12 weeks max. Then skin then needs a break from the chemical.”
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.
However, while The Spot Cream is generally safe, one of the high-strength ingredients in a few of the formulas is hydroquinone, which could rarely lead to some serious health risks. And while Musely's 60-day Result Guarantee sounds generous, it's quite strict and requires a commitment to regular mobile app check-ins.
Additionally, hydroquinone rebound hyperpigmentation can occur if treatment is stopped too early (its best to stay on it for at least 3 months) or when there is sudden cessation or reduction of hydroquinone use. This causes the skin to overcompensate and produce an excess of melanin.
Hydroquinone is the gold standard ingredient in many skin lightening creams. Currently, only two percent hydroquinone is available without a prescription.
You may not see significant improvement until 2 to 6 months after starting use. Hydroquinone can be applied morning and night. excess pigmentation such as the neck and back of hands. Allow product to fully absorb into skin before applying moisturizer or any other skin care products.
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.
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 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.
We recommend taking a 2 month break after 3 months of application. Since hydroquinone is a photosensitive agent, It is also important to use SPF 30 or higher daily when on hydroquinone.
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.
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.
Over-the-counter products can contain 0.5% to 2% concentrations. At the pharmacy, 4% concentrations of hydroquinone (and sometimes even higher) are available by prescription only. A concentration of 12% hydroquinone actually prevents the production of melanin altogether.
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).
However, medical guidelines specify that you should stop using hydroquinone if you haven't seen any results after about three months. Your doctor may recommend you try some new products that combine hydroquinone with other ingredients, such as glycolic acid.
We recommend that hydroquinone be used for a few months and then discontinued for several months in order to prevent exogenous ochronosis. The sun will ultimately win the war against hydroquinone, which is why at Dermatology + Aesthetics, we recommend avoiding hydroquinone-containing products during the summer.
Musely treatments are available to order exclusively on our platform at musely.com where you will get paired with a Board-Certified Dermatologist to review your medical questionnaire and photos. You can get started by creating an account and adding the treatments you are interested in to your cart!
Our analysis of the six included studies revealed that azelaic acid outperformed hydroquinone in terms of improving MASI scores.
Our doctors recommend avoiding benzoyl peroxide, as it is known to decrease the stability of tretinoin and may cause staining when used with hydroquinone. Also, abrasive cleansers (e.g., face wash with glycolic or AHA/BHA acids) can make the skin more sensitive and should be avoided.