How long does hydroquinone take to lighten skin?
It takes about four weeks on average for the ingredient to take effect. It may take several months of consistent use before you see full results. If you don’t see any improvements within three months of OTC use, talk to your dermatologist.
Does hydroquinone lighten skin permanently?
Hydroquinone is a crystalline compound used as a depigmentation or skin-lightening agent in skin care. It helps to lighten areas of darkened skin, such as hyperpigmentation, freckles, age spots and melasma caused by acne, hormonal fluctuations or injury to the skin. Hydroquinone does not permanently lighten skin.
Can I use hydroquinone on entire face?
While it can be used to treat focal areas, it is often best to apply this agent to the whole face and apply a heavier amount over the darkest regions. This helps prevent a blotchy complexion.
Is hydroquinone harmful to the skin?
It is typically used to lighten areas of skin affected by hyperpigmentation disorders, as well as for freckles and age spots. Rodent studies involving very high doses of hydroquinone administered by feeding tube showed the potential to cause cancer, according to the FDA report on hydroquinone skin bleaching products.
What happens if I stop using hydroquinone?
If your skin lightens, stop using hydroquinone regularly and only use it if the dark spots reappear. Wait two or three months to use it in the same areas. Prolonged regular use of hydroquinone may lead to exogenous ochronosis, which can cause blue-black pigmentation and papules, red bumps on the skin.
Why is hydroquinone banned?
On August 29, 2006, the FDA proposed restrictions on products containing the bleaching agent hydroquinone due to reported concerns about possible carcinogenicity and a link to ochronosis. If implemented, the action would impose an outright ban on lower-strength (2\%) over-the-counter products.
What happens if you stop using hydroquinone?
How many shades does hydroquinone lighten?
Hydroquinone skin lightening formula can brighten skin by up to 7 shades.
Does pigmentation come back after hydroquinone?
Excessive hydroquinone concentrations may induce toxic or shocking effects on melanocytes, forcing them to regroup and increase their melanin production (resulting in rebound hyperpigmentation).
Is Kojic acid better than hydroquinone?
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.
What happens when I stop using hydroquinone?
Stop application after five months. Prolonged regular use of hydroquinone may lead to exogenous ochronosis, which can cause blue-black pigmentation and papules, red bumps on the skin.
Can you use hydroquinone with vitamin C?
Hydroquinone combination formulations. In this regard, consumers can readily find products that combine hydroquinone with various ingredients such as retinoic acid, glycolic acid, vitamin C, and topical steroids. However, prolonged use of such products can worsen pigmentation and create additional issues.
How does hydroquinone lighten skin?
Hydroquinone is a depigmenting agent used to lighten areas of darkened skin such as freckles, age spots, chloasma, and melisma caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone medicine, or injury to the skin. Hydroquinone decreases the formation of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment in skin that gives it a brown color.
What are the dangers of hydroquinone?
Stop using hydroquinone and tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: blistering, skin cracking, blue-black darkening of the skin. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
Is Hydroquinone safe for lightening dark spots?
Even though it’s been shown to effectively lighten dark spots, it’s not without risks. The lesser risk is the potential for so-called “halo spots” around the treated areas. “The hydroquinone treats dark spots, but any product in contact with surrounding skin will also lighten those areas as well.
Is Hydroquinone bad for You?
Without a doubt, hydroquinone is very effective for treating hyperpigmentation issues. However, its safety is also highly questionable. The reason hydroquinone gets such a bad reputation is because studies have shown that hydroquinone has some carcinogenic effects when applied to skin. It is considered cytotoxic (toxic to cells) and mutagenic.