Hydroquinone is an FDA approved skin-lightening ingredient used to brighten areas of darkened or discolored skin. This topical skin lightning ingredient found in many commonly used in skin care products.
Hydroquinone is also a naturally derived antioxidant that can be found in a wide variety of plants and foods.
How Does Hydroquinone Work?
Color producing cells within the skin can sometimes produce excess pigment or melanin. The excess color production causes brown spots on the surface of the skin. Hydroquinone works by inhibiting these color-producing cells and helping to lighten the brown spots.
Is Hydroquinone Effective at Treating Skin Discoloration Problems?
Hydroquinone has been used as a treatment for skin pigmentation problems in the US since the 1950’s with millions of patients using these products and seeing outstanding results.
With more stubborn the pigmentation a higher percentage is sometimes required to be effective. Over the counter hydroquinone products have concentrations at or below 2% while a prescriptions from a physician is required for 4%.
Is It Safe to Use?
Hydroquinone has long been regarded as the gold standard for treatment of skin discoloration. It has been used in skin care products for more then 50 years and is well documented in numerous clinical studies, as being safe and effective when used properly under a physicians care.
What Are the Side Effects Associated with Using Hydroquinone?
The most common side effects may include:
- Transient skin irritation
- Dryness
- Minor redness
- Mild burning sensation
All of which can be avoided by decreasing the frequency of use until the skin acclimates to the product.
What Precautions Should be Taken While Using Hydroquinone?
As with any prescription, it is important to follow the directions that are given to you from your physician.
- Do not use if pregnant or nursing
- Do not use with other skin-lightening products.
- ALWAYS use sunscreen
- Discard any product that turns brown and thus no longer active.
- If you experience any severe side effects, stop use and contact a physician immediately.
What Hydroquinone Products Do We Offer?
We have a prescription strength lightning cream with 8% concentration that also contains 3% Kojic Acid, 0.1% Retin-A and 1% Hydrocortisone. This treatment cream works wonders on pigmentation issues and should only be used at night time.
Conclusion
Pigmentation problems can be hard to tackle, so getting the right help is important for the most effective results. A combination of the right Skin care products (will do 60% of the job) and professional treatments will help take care of the rest.
At The Laser Image Company we offer everything from light peels, micro needling, IPL “Photofacial” to the more aggressive CO2 Fractional Laser treatment to clear pigmentation problems and brighten skin.
Let The Laser Image Company help you get the skin you always dreamed about!