What is hydroquinone 2 cream used for?
Hydroquinone is used to lighten the dark patches of skin (also called hyperpigmentation, melasma, “liver spots,” “age spots,” freckles) caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone medicine, or injury to the skin.
Do dark spots come back after hydroquinone?
In my experience, this is particularly common after four to five months of satisfactory response in patients using hydroquinone for melasma. In such cases, the bleaching effects of hydroquinone appear more pronounced in the areas not affected by melasma. Meanwhile, the dark spots of melasma show no further improvement.
What are the dangers of hydroquinone?
Hydroquinone dangers include:
- Hydroquinone is carcinogenic and mutagenic. [1]
- It’s toxic to various organ systems.
- Exposure to Hydroquinone worsens symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Long-term use can result in a skin disorder called exogenous ochronosis.
- Hydroquinone can cause allergic reaction and irritation to skin.
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.
Where can I purchase hydroquinone?
You can actually by hydroquinone over the counter without a prescription at CVS, Walgreens, etc., but only the 2% strength is available. Prescription strength starts at 4%. Some doctors find a combination of medications to be more effective at lightening skin.
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.