When it comes to skincare, we want to be sure the ingredients we’re using on our skin are as effective as possible. When it comes to hyperpigmentation, hydroquinone is considered the gold standard of treatments.
However, hydroquinone is a powerful active ingredient and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare practitioner. But what exactly is hydroquinone, and how can you use it to treat hyperpigmentation? Let’s find out.
What is hydroquinone?
“Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent. It can be used to achieve an overall lighter skin tone or to fade troublesome areas, such as age spots and melasma. Hydroquinone is regarded as the gold standard for treating pigmentation.” Dr Lauren Thomas, a doctor at Software explains.
While typically found as a prescription product, hydroquinone is also available at lower strengths in some over-the-counter products. However, it’s still most commonly found (and potent) in clinical-grade formulations.
What are the benefits of using hydroquinone?
Reducing hyperpigmentation
Hydroquinone is extremely effective in reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation can appear in various forms, with the most common being brown, grey, red or pink spots or patches of skin.
Clinical hydroquinone treatments are considered one of the most effective ways to treat hyperpigmentation.
Combatting melasma
Melasma commonly appears as dark patches on the face, typically around the forehead, cheeks, above the mouth and around the sides of the nose.
Often occurring during pregnancy, melasma is a common skin concern, particularly among women between the ages of 20 and 40.
Medical-grade hydroquinone treatment can be effective in minimising the appearance of melasma, with a significant reduction in visibility within three months.
Fading dark spots
Removing dark spots on the skin can be difficult to achieve, however, hydroquinone can effectively fade these spots over time. With consistent use, a difference in pigmentation should be seen within 8-12 weeks.
How to use hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is most often used as a spot treatment. It should be applied in a thin layer and gently massaged into the affected area twice daily for around three months for optimal results.
What are the side effects of hydroquinone?
It’s important to note that side effects can result from excessive use of hydroquinone. Using it for longer than four months at a time can carry a risk of causing exogenous ochronosis, a grey/blue pigmentation that is much harder to get rid of than other types of hyperpigmentation.
As a result, it’s recommended to take breaks for up to several weeks in between cycles of using hydroquinone treatments.
Taking regular breaks can also prevent the risk of tachyphylaxis, a phenomenon where the skin begins to get used to certain topical treatments, resulting in those ingredients becoming less effective over time.
“Hydroquinone is a strong ingredient which means it can cause some redness, stinging, and dermatitis… It is very important while using it, to wear sunscreen every morning even if not leaving the house. One day in the sun can undo nearly a month of treatment. You should wash your hands after you apply hydroquinone to prevent any risk of discolouring the fingernails,” explains Dr Thomas.
What happens if you stop using hydroquinone?
“If you stop hydroquinone, there may be some return in pigmentation. However, this is dependent on whether the risk factor is still present; for example, if no longer pregnant and no longer on oestrogen contraception it may not come back. It is not safe to be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.” Dr Lauren recommends.
It’s important to remember that hydroquinone is a powerful skincare ingredient and should always be used under the guidance of a licensed healthcare professional.
Sources:
[1] https://www.medicinenet.com/hydroquinone/article.htm
