Hydroquinone Cream

What is Hydroquinone Cream?

Hydroquinone is a skin-bleaching agent that is primarily used to treat and lighten areas of the skin that have been darkened. This can be a result of many skin conditions such as a chloasma, freckles, acne scars, eczema scars and age spots.

Hydroquinone creams are often sold at different concentrations such as 2-8%.  It is applied topically to the affected areas.  The typical concentration of hydroquinone cream sold is 2%, however higher concentrations are available from a doctor.

How Does Hydroquinone Cream Work?

The cream works when it is applied to the skin and it starts to decrease the production of melanin. It also increases the breakdown of melansomes in the skins pigment cells.  This is accomplished by reducing the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme that is needed to make and create melanin.

Hydroquinone is very effective when it comes to skin lightening. Many people state that they see changes in the color of their skin after 4 weeks of treatment. Depending on the person and their skin, the results may be different. Some people have seen results after a few months. It is recommended that if you do not see any results occur after 3 months, then you need to stop using hydroquinone.

To increase the effectiveness of hydroquinone you need to stay out of the sun, use sunscreen, with a SPF of 15. You should also not visit tanning salons or go under UV lamps.
You should use hydroquinone regularly as directed until you achieve the desired bleaching, after which use only as needed to maintain results.

Hydroquinone Cream Side Effects

The skin can tolerate hydroquinone cream very well tolerated. Depending on who uses it, they may experience some minor and temporary skin irritations. This may include, but not limited to reddening of the skin, itching and stinging. If a person who uses the cream experiences these

The side effects mentioned above are mild, if you experience severe burning, itching, crusting, or swelling of treated areas and any unusual skin discolorations then you need to discontinue use of the cream immediately.

It has been studied and proven that continued and extensive sued of hydroquinone has been associated with the development of exogenous ochronosis. This however is rare and this may be caused by other ingredients in the creams such as phenol, resorcinol and antimalarial agents

Precautions

If you are using hydroquinone, do not use benzoyl peroxide or other types of peroxides. If you do a temporary discoloration or dark staining may occur. If you accidentally use the two, then wash the skin with soap and water.

Do not use benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, or other peroxide products when using hydroquinone. A temporary dark staining of the skin may occur. If accidentally used together, wash the skin with soap and water to remove the staining.