Hydroquinone: FDA Frowns on Skin Lightener
Topical creams designed to lighten skin color are enormously popular. Sales of these over-the-counter products have grown tremendously over the past few years. The active ingredients don't actually depigment the skin, rather, they work mostly on freckles, blotches and other pigmented spots to give skin a more even, lustrous appearance.
4% Hydroquinone is the bleaching chemical found in prescription creams like Lustra, Tri-Luma, and EpiQuin Micro. A licensed physician writes a prescription and it is only sold through pharmacies. A weaker 2% formula has been available over-the-counter in products like DDF Fade Gel4 and Philosophy's Pigment of Your Imagination (clever name!)
Hydroquinone has been on the cancer watchlist for decades, both because of animal studies (rats given tons of hydroquinone to ingest) and retrospective health surveys that compared cancer risks by occupation/environmental exposure. Statistically, lifelong excess exposure to hydroquinone is associated with an increase cancer risk, so the FDA wants to ban OTC sales of hydroquinone. Many dermatologists claim limited topical use does not pose a genuine hazard. Either way, the stronger prescription version will likely remain available.
Instead of hydroquinone there are safe subsitutes to reduce the intensity of skin discolorations. Shiseido and Dior use proprietary formulas based on natural plant derivatives. Licorice extract, azelaic acid, mulberry extract and bearberry extract all tend to inhibit skin melanin pigment synthesis. An experienced aesthetic dermatologist or cosmetician can help you decide which skin lightening cream will work best for you.
Related Topics: How Your Skin Can Survive Summer, WebMD Skin and Beauty Center
Technorati Tags: hydroquinone, skin care, skin bleaching
4% Hydroquinone is the bleaching chemical found in prescription creams like Lustra, Tri-Luma, and EpiQuin Micro. A licensed physician writes a prescription and it is only sold through pharmacies. A weaker 2% formula has been available over-the-counter in products like DDF Fade Gel4 and Philosophy's Pigment of Your Imagination (clever name!)
Hydroquinone has been on the cancer watchlist for decades, both because of animal studies (rats given tons of hydroquinone to ingest) and retrospective health surveys that compared cancer risks by occupation/environmental exposure. Statistically, lifelong excess exposure to hydroquinone is associated with an increase cancer risk, so the FDA wants to ban OTC sales of hydroquinone. Many dermatologists claim limited topical use does not pose a genuine hazard. Either way, the stronger prescription version will likely remain available.
Instead of hydroquinone there are safe subsitutes to reduce the intensity of skin discolorations. Shiseido and Dior use proprietary formulas based on natural plant derivatives. Licorice extract, azelaic acid, mulberry extract and bearberry extract all tend to inhibit skin melanin pigment synthesis. An experienced aesthetic dermatologist or cosmetician can help you decide which skin lightening cream will work best for you.
Related Topics: How Your Skin Can Survive Summer, WebMD Skin and Beauty Center
Technorati Tags: hydroquinone, skin care, skin bleaching
22 Comments:
Perhaps a ban on OTC hydroquinone would provide incentive to come up with a skin lightener that actually works. I am a woman of color and have always had a problem with very dark pigmentation from even minor cuts or scratches. For example, if I scratch a mosquito bite & break the skin, I end up with a very dark spot that takes several years to fade. In my experience the OTC hydroquinone products like Artra, Porcelana, Esoterica, & the high-end department store/boutique lines are totally worthless. I have tried the prescription strength also, which seems to work only marginally better. Part of the problem is that it takes so long to work... several months to see even the slightest improvement. I'm sure the OTC products work for someone, since there are certainly plenty of them on the market at all price levels. And in my opinion the level of risk doesn't seem to warrant a ban on this substance. But if banning OTC hydroquinone is what it takes to make someone develop a really effective skin lightening product, then so be it!
I too am a person of color. While the combination of hydroquinone + retina A and strong concentration of glycolic acid works for me, most of the other OTC stuff (especially the really expensive stuff at places like Sephora and other department stores) are totally worthless. I used an azelaic acid and kojic acid product as a substitute for hydroquinone, and seriously, not only was there no change, I actually think they made hyperpignmentation worse!
Maybe someone will truly produce a formula that is effective.
Is hydroquotine used for dark under eye circles ever? does it work?
After a face lift three months ago, i could not get rid of bruising and swelling on my cheekbones. My Plastic surgeon and dermatologist Rx'd "hydroquinone" for me and after about a month's use i see dramatic results. It works! I have bought everything imaginable from cosmetic counters and catalogs which are supposedly concealers or "killer covers", etc. and they do not work. Everything advertised is a waste of money! I will continue to risk it with hydroquinone a bit longer.
Person of colour as well with some acne scarring. Have been on 4% hydroquinone for about one week now and have already noticed lightening in some spots including my forehead and nose. However the spots on my cheek have become irritated and actually appear darker. I have been told by the pharmacist that the irritation is normal, but I should not apply if the skin is broken (which it slightly is) and that initial darkening is also a possibility. I think I will play it safe and stop the use on my cheeks until the skin is totally healed and then will re-start treatment with a lower % or only once a day.
I too am a woman of color and was prescribed Hydroquinone for the dark spots from acne on my face. I must say that it did work but it took awhile to see(3-4 months) results. The smell of the product was horrible but it is a good product to keep on hand to tackle the acne dark spots as they first appear.
what happens to u when all your skin is diffrent colors?
Can Hydroquinone cream, either 2% or 4%, be used on the darkened chafed areas of skin between the inner thighs without affecting the genitals? Just very curious here.
I am concerned with the dark pigmentation of the knuckle, elbow and toes; does the skin lightner work on those areas? Thank you.
The lady that had the face-lift: Are you a woman of color? I just started using prescription of hydroquinone this week. It burns like crazy; however, I am a woman of color who has been experiencing acne and scarring from plucking facial hair (under chin and high neck area - which I pluck upon first sighting feverishly). I just want the scarring to go away! Any advice to get rid of unwanted facial that REALLY works and will leave no scarring? (It's just horrible."
How you doing? I'm a black male with dark spots on the face, Im using shea butter and so of the dark spots are trying to go away but I still get a lot of pimples along the way. What OTC product that is afordable and works fast or shows quick? I think you for ur time please write back anthony
Anthony,
If you have acne do NOT use shea butter. It will only make it worse. If you need to moisturize, use only oil-FREE products! You might want to try some Retin-A for your acne which will also help with your darker spots. If you want OTC for your pimples, try Netrogena Rapid Clear Acne Eliminating Spot Gel. You could try some of the Obagi products via internet or your skin doctor who offers these products. They have several products in their line which uses a combination of Retin-A, along with Hydroquinone that really works well!
I am a latina woman....I am glad about the comments I read from the women of color...I just started using the product today and wanted to get a more insight on it....so thanks for the information ;-)
I have a problem with one of my knees, it is very dark and the skin is hard, I been using hyddroqinone 5% with no results. Can someon help me here
oh my! I am latina and have the same problem as the person with one dark knee, I too have the dark knee and elbows what can I use for this, the creams my dermatologist prescribed in a period of 2 years have not help
Anthony,
I too am an African American male who had horibble acne and subsequent dark spots from the acne after effects. I do not know what your particular skin is like but my advice would be to stay away from oil based products like coacoa butter and shea butter. Always look for products that specifically say "non-comedogenic". I got my skin under control using a combination of prescription and OTC products. Mornings as follows: Cleansing I use Cetaphyl skin cleanser for oily skin. I then switch to the Proactive toner and repairing lotion. It is not cheap but i swear by this stuff since the other OTC benzoyl peroxide products were too high and burned my skin causing it to hyperpigment producing more dark spots. Follow it up with an oil free sun screen like Nutragena brand at 45 or 55 SPF. Now for the night you will need the help of a dermatologist. I use Tazorac gel at night all over the face and a 4% Hydroquinone gel (sold only in the dermatologist office) only on the dark spots. I had to experiment with the tazorac since it is very drying and it is supposed to have an exfoliating effect taking the winter vs. summer and alternating every other night usage if my skin became too dry. The exfoliating action of the tazorac combined with the bleaching action of the hydroquinone made most of my spots bleach and peel with in a week, 10 days at the most. Good Luck and I hope this helps.
David in D.C.
I am a woman of color and have used a cream called "Crusader skin lightning cream". It definately works on basically any part of the body, including the face. They also make a soap that works as well. Using both will definately give you quicker and more potent results. I advise using your judgement before using this product. If you only have some after acne spots on ur face then you can just use the cream ALONE. But don't rub it in like a lotion!! put it only on the areas that have the dark spots. This product used along with the soap, can definately lighten your whole skin complexion drastically so use sparingly. But it does what its suppose to!
I need help!I am a young African American woman with severe scarring...I was a tomboy when I was younger and ran around in the woods got scratched all over my legs and now for most of my life I've worn pants all year around so I don't have to hear all the questions. As well as I suffered years of bad acne( still suffering) which has left most of my face covered in scars as well, which I've learned how to apply makeup so it's pratically unnoticeable but I'd love to go a day without makeup!!! So hear is the big problem.. I've realized I'm allegric to hydroquinone, because I've been to every demertologist and every prescription I've gotten has made me break out into a horrible itchy, tingling, rash, and my legs end up getting 10X worst looking only after one use. This past week I use metasol medicated as a friend suggested it...and now I can't even stand up at work because my legs itch so bad. I don't know what I'm looking for...I guess I just need some support, or advice.. I really want to wear shorts...or go to the beach...or not wear makeup one day...
hey my last toes on the end is light not matchihg my skin what do i do.when i wear sandals it looks ugly.
About 3 years ago I used the hydroquinone 10%. I got the higher strength from my esthetician. I had a routine that started with a glycolic acid and then I followed with the hydro. I am a natural redhead and so I have many freckles in the summer that fade only a bit in the winter. I followed the routine to get "porcelain" skin for my wedding. It worked so well that I had no freckles on my wedding and my skin was perfect. It didn't cause any breakouts and it even lightened red spots. I know that there may be risks, but using it for even 2 months will do the trick and if you wear sunblock all the time the spots will not reappear.
Ever since I was young I have had various dark blotches on my skin but I wierdly found out when I was older that no matter what hit my skin or basically touch it leaves a mark on it, its red at first and then when it heals it turns black. I have been fighting it for ages now I actually dont know where to turn next, I use black soap; helps to smoothen the skin, I use creams says it helps with the pigmentation. I have used more than one cream ranging from travogen, Aclaro creme, Movate, Cocoa butter and many other items and none seem to work. Yet I keep on getting the marks. I went to the doc several times, funny but they dont even know what is wrong with me, I try to explain but to no avail. They prescribe I use; when I see the result, i.e. nothing, I try something new. I am now about to try this new cream XTREME, wish me luck dont know where else to turn. Maybe someone out there will hear me out and help me. Suggesstions people???
anyone else suffer vision impairment, permanently? colors look faded out to me now, after using hydroquinone and can't see other people's eye color well. please email me if you have same symptoms. teaguekel1234@yahoo.com
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