Excessive amounts of melanin (pigment) production result from exposure to UV radiation, heat and other sources of injury to the skin, such as healing from acne. Excessive melanin production may appear as freckles, age spots, post-acne dark marks or general dull appearance.
Hydroquinone works by inhibiting tyrosinase, a key enzyme in the physiological pathway that produces excessive pigmentation and is the only ingredient recognized for skin lightening by the FDA.
Currently, the FDA limits over-the-counter concentrations to 2% and prescription concentrations to 5%. In Europe and Asia, all levels of hydroquinone require a prescription, but it is not banned, as some misinformation purports.
Due to the controversy over the safety of hydroquinone, a lot of buzz about naturally-derived alternatives has surfaced. However, while many women see results from “natural” other ingredients, it’s important to note that they have not been proven to work, nor are they FDA-approved for skin-lightening.
Additionally, most dermatologists feel that hydroquinone side effects are very rare and that consumers can use it to treat freckles, sun spots, liver spots, melasma and post-acne spots without fear.
What has your hydroquinone experience been? Tell us your story by leaving a comment below.
Your information is inaccurate. Hydroquinone is effective even at low levels if and when delivered by a carrier, specifically non-buffered Glycolic Acid at a minimum level of 8%. Hydroquinone is an OTC Drug at 2.0% up to 3.99%, at which point it becomes a prescription drug in the U.S.
More importantly, hydroquinone and many other skin lightening ingredients, i.e. kojic acid, licorice, bearberry extract…are overkill like far too many anti-aging treatments today. Keep it simple and do not add risk as people of color have learned the hard way with scarring and greater hyperpigmentation. Although the risk may seem low, it happens.
The simplest remedy is use an active retinol (.0365% and higher) and / or non-buffered Glycolic Acid, both of which stimulate cell turnover and creates everything healthy in your skin. Amazingly enough, both ingredients ligthten and improve discoloration, uneven tone and even hypopigmentation all by themselves within 3 to 6 months. It may be superb results or maybe 70-80% at which time you can add a skin lightening agent.
And, if you do not wear an extremely potent broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen, the discoloration will continue to return or remain. High SPF means nothing. The key is the quality of the sunscreen. Want more information, contact me directly. .
AHAs such as glycolic acid are topical exfoliators that can help skin appear brighter due to the removal of dead cells on the surface of the skin. Unfortunately this will NOT address the excessive pigment accumulated in the deeper levels. Because pigment cells are not just on the surface of the skin—epidermis—but also lurk in the deeper dermis level. These treatments do not go that deeply. The dark marks that you see on the surface are just the tip of the iceberg so to speak, much more can be found in the dermis. This is why skin appears dull—from all of the dark marks below that create shadows.
Unfortunately there is NOT one treatment to address dark marks that works for all. Treating dull skin and dark marks is complicated. High percentage medications can be harsh on delicate skin leaving it dry, peeling, or stinging which deters people from using it consistently. Also many prescriptions are used as spot treatments which does not address dark marks lurking below skin’s surface and can leave halos of lightness on the skin..
Rodan + Fields offers REVERSE Regimen as a simple, full-face solution that tackles both the damage below the surface and the visible pigmentation that is the result of years of incidental sun exposure. The REVERSE Regimen exfoliates away dulling dead cells, lightens unwanted pigmentation, evens skin tone, brightens the overall complexion, and protects against further UV damage, visibly improving the appearance of environmentally aged skin.
Based on Multi-Med® Therapy, REVERSE is a complete skincare system that combines prescription medicines at non-prescription strength with active cosmetic ingredients to repair and protect hyper-pigmented, sun-damaged skin. By combining the right ingredients, in the right formulations, and using them in the right order. The regimen:
· Lightens excessive darkness, brown spots, and uneven pigment.
· Brightens dull skin, improves tone and texture, and boosts skin’s radiance.
· Exfoliates skin to remove complexion-dulling dead skin cells.
· Protects against future sun damage with broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen.
Over weeks to months, skin will look progressively more clear and radiant, giving you freedom from having to wear foundation. The REVERSE Regimen won Aventura Magazine’s Best of Beauty Choice Awards for Best brown spot remedy.