If you’ve noticed a major uptick in the amount of skin lightening creams and gels on the market today, you aren’t alone. Although there are numerous skin-lightening agents on the market, including azelaic acid, mequinol, retinoids, glycolic acid, kojic acid, licorice, arbutin, soy, N-acetyl glucosamine, ascorbic acid, and niacinamide, hydroquinone (HQ) has been our workhorse. If you want to pursue a lighter tone for your skin or get rid of pigmentation go for non-hydroquinone skin lighteners with the maximum botanical extracts, which are believed to promote good skin lightening without side effects. Itching. People typically use hydroquinone to lighten areas of skin affected by hyperpigmentation disorders, as well as for freckles and age spots 2. Hydroquinone is the gold standard for getting rid of uneven dark pigment patches in the skin (hyperpigmentation), which are areas with more melanin pigment than normal. Essence of Mae 80,438 views. In 1961, Dr. Malcolm C. Spencer evaluated the efficacy of hydroquinone 1.5% and 2% in 98 subjects with hyperpigmentation. Versatility. I am a Biochemist and Naturopath, I love writing and educating people on health and wellness matters. In my last post, I wrote about dangerous habits that damage your skin and in that post, I talked about using harmful products and chemicals on your skin. Do also consider. If you want to be on a safe side, avoid hydroquinone products. How to use Hydroquinone cream: Hydroquinone acts as a bleach or skin lightening agent. Now that you have known the dangers of hydroquinone, the best thing to do is to avoid skin care products containing hydroquinone and use a natural approach in treating spots, blemishes, and a dull appearance. Many different conditions can cause these pigment patches, including hormone-related melasma, trauma-induced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH – such as dark marks left over from acne) and sun damage … If you want to be on a safe side, avoid hydroquinone products. One time it even scabbed over since the product basically burned my skin. "Hydroquinone frequently causes irritations like itchiness and redness in skins that are barrier-compromised or sensitive, which can be the case for any skin type," notes Ng. Blisters or sores. Don't miss out on health and wellness awareness. Your information will be stored to send you emails. Skin lightening preparations and the hydroquinone controversy, Metabolic rate constants for hydroquinone in F344 rat and human liver isolated hepatocytes: application to a PBPK model, Topical treatments for melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, The safety of hydroquinone: a dermatologist’s response to the 2006 Federal Register, Should you avoid aluminium in deodorants? }(document, 'script', 'exco-player')); Our website contents are for informational purposes only. Log in. It was later confirmed safe by the FDA only when used in 2% concentrations. You can also make use of essential oils and other types of healthy oil on your skin. Shamban adds that "the most common side effects are irritation, redness, stinging, and inflammation." Hydroquinone functions by reducing the amount of melanin your skin produces. Follow us on social media. But there are a lot of reasons you should question such advertisement claims. js.src = "//player.ex.co/player/076802fb-ddbd-477a-985f-624aaef8bce4"; Hydroquinone does not really bleach the skin though it is being classified as skin bleaching agent. The ingredient works by decreasing the formation of melanin in the skin. Skin products with 2% hydroquinone are sold over-the-counter while 4 % hydroquinone is with a doctor’s prescription only. On applying hydroquinone on the skin, the activity of tyrosine is inhabited converting tyrosine to dihydroxyphenylalanine eventually breaking down melanocytes i.e decreasing the production of melamine which as results lighten your skin. Hydroquinone can cause a skin discoloration disorder that may result in ugly blue and black patches on the surface of your skin. Your skin might be very sensitive like mine. Skin Irritation: Hydroquinone causes general skin irritation. Every time I've used hydroquinone, my skin turned red, too. If you are looking for a light complexion, then you should try a combination of licorice root extract and vitamin B3, they will naturally give you a light and bright complexion without damaging your skin. In the United States, the FDA has conveyed concern regarding the use of this ingredient in skincare products, stating that products containing hydroquinone are dangerous and should only be used in … It’s best used on prescription and under observation to treat severe melasma and sun damage. You may want to slow down the production of melanin, but you definitely don't want to unnecessarily kill off … If you have dark skin spots, you’ve probably searched high and low for skin treatments that can help to even your skin tone. Hydroquinone was discovered in the early 1800’s. Hydroquinone is a topical skin-bleaching agent that lightens the appearance of pigmented skin by inhibiting the production of melanin. It also causes a bright effect on the top layer of your skin, (the dermis). One drawback with the natural approach is that they don’t act fast, that is why a lot of people don’t use them, but this doesn’t cancel the fact that they work and that they are far safer on your skin than all these chemically synthesized products. The FDA has also proposed a ban on products containing hydroquinone. The patient should also be warned that if the hydroquinone happens to go onto surrounding normal skin, this may lighten as well and may give the patient leopard-skin appearance. Hydroquinone is also not the best option to use for skin lightening because it can potentially damage and kill off your melanocytes (the cells that produce melanin). 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. All drugs may cause side effects. Before you buy any cream or lotion, read the label properly and avoid anyone containing hydroquinone. If you want a healthy skin and you want to avoid skin problems and health complications caused by all these chemical based skin care products; don’t apply anything that you cannot eat on your skin. (function (d, s, n) { Hydroquinone also is a component of the herbal remedy uva ursi 2 4. How to Improve Your Stamina Between the Sheets? Hydroquinone . Hydroquinone is a popular ingredient used in making many skin lightening creams and products because it is a lightening agent. Using hydroquinone longer than the suggested three months period can be risky for anyone, especially for those with a darker skin shade. I RUINED MY SKIN - Duration: 9:17. These oils protect and heal your skin, and they have no risk or side effects. Alternatives to hydroquinone include azelaic acid and retinoids, as well as cosmetic treatments such as laser lightening and chemical peels. Individuals with normal or oily skin types are less likely to have side effects while using the ingredient, but it works best on those with fair skin tones. It leads to harmful cell mutation that can cause skin cancer and other forms of cancer, it can cause cell damage and other health problems such as: Photosensitivity: Hydroquinone makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight and this, in turn, will cause severe sunburn, chapped and irritated skin, and other skin problems. Exogenous Ochronosis: Hydroquinone induces serious exogenous ochronosis, this skin condition is a form of dermatitis that is characterized by a brown-grey or bluish-black hyperpigmentation on the surface of your skin. js = d.createElement(s); Dermabrasion, for example, requires both monthly therapies and a healing period that can last for weeks. 9:17 . … That is why naturopaths advised that anything you cannot eat should not be applied on your skin. 11:01. js.className = n; It’s always a good idea to test Hydroquinone out on a small area first, but if your skin is irritated, it’s best to work on restoring it to health before beginning treatment. Hydroquinone and Skin Types. Hydroquinone has been around for quite a while, but just recently the Asian market has been increasing demand for legitimate solutions to even out complexions, fade and erase dark spots and blemishes, and speed up the removal of scars and hyperpigmentation. This condition can also cause skin thickening and the risk is higher in dark-skinned people who use hydroquinone for a long time in high concentrations. They restore the production of collagen and strengthen your skin cells. They can appear as bruising marks or patches of darkened marks. What are some other side effects of Hydroquinone? These side effects include dermatitis (skin irritation), rashes, excessive redness and dryness of the skin. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); © 2021 Healthtian, a Krafty Sprouts Media, LLC brand. You can use the cream for face bleaching, stretch marks, and dark areas around the belly. The blue skin is caused by insufficient oxygen in your blood (cyanosis). Why? It is a carcinogen, it increases your risk of skin cancer and makes you prone to a lot of skin problems. Hydroquinone also has been linked with the medical condition known as ochronosis in which the skin becomes dark and thick. Hydroquinone is the king of skin bleaching treatments. Melanin is the pigment in skin that gives it a brown color. Apart from skin cancer, hydroquinone can cause other types of internal cancers also. It turned the skin … It would be better if you go for natural skin care products. created a skin disorder called Ochronosis. 10 Ways to Stay Healthier During Christmas, 10 Celebrities Who Decided to Call Quits on Their Relationship, 5 Unnoticed Habits That May Ruin Your Lives, The After-christmas Blues. Hydroquinone was originally invented to treat skin pigmentation and stubborn spots. Hydroquinone cream lightens skin, dark spots, scars, and treats … Hydroquinone toxicity can cause ringing in your ears, bluish skin, seizures, nausea, and other health problems. The product’s purpose is to fasten the peeling process of your skin. What Is Hydroquinone? Hydroquinone toxicity can cause ringing in your ears, bluish skin, seizures, nausea, and other health problems. Continued and uncontrolled use can lead to adverse effects. For more information see. Some of the allergic reactions reported are severe stinging or burning sensations, breathing problems, hives, swelling of the mouth and throat, facial swelling and others. It mostly tapers off as the skin adjusts to the ingredient. Increases susceptibility to UV damage: Hydroquinone leads to increased exposure to UVA and UVB radiation by damaging your top skin layer. Hydroquinone has been considered one of the most effective skin-lightening treatments for hyperpigmentation. Go See Christy 52,815 views. If your period of time on Hydroquinone has been relatively short, the recovery to natural levels of melanin should also be comparatively quick. An FDA report on hydroquinone skin bleaching products showed there no carcinogenic properties have been linked to topical nor oral hydroquinone use in humans. They are very rich in vitamin C and they have lightening effects also. Studies were done on rodents in which they were fed very high doses of hydroquinone using feeding tubes and they showed the potential to cause cancers. Melanin is the pigment in skin that gives it a brown color. The science (with video), How Bad Is Alcohol in Skincare, Really? It’s also the go to product when it comes to aesthetic skin lightening. It also works by stopping the functions and activities of enzymes which are responsible for hyperpigmentation. The severity of the irritation can vary from person to person because some people are more sensitive to hydroquinone than others. All rights reserved. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin its tone and color. Hydroquinone may cause local skin irritation, however, and thereby leading to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, making the skin pigmentation worse. It can only disrupt and inhibit the melanin production and synthesis and does not destroy previously produced and synthesized melanin. The Science (video with KindofStephen), Tranexamic acid: a newer skincare ingredient for pigmentation, Why I don’t recommend The Ordinary’s Niacinamide and L-Ascorbic Acid powders, « Artsy Wednesday: April Fools hidden message mani, Nail blogger secrets for pretty nails 6: Don’t go it alone (epilogue) », http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/hydroquinone-risks/, Purging vs Breakouts: When to Ditch Your Skincare, Easy (5 Minute) DIY Vitamin C Serum Recipe, My Routine for Starting on Tretinoin (Retin-A) Cream. Hydroquinone does come with a few side effects, although they are usually mild.