Hydroquinone

Question: Hydroquinone? I have a few hyperpigmented spots on my face. I'm in my mid 20's but never tanned yet they seem to be popping up. I'm not sure if it's a freckle or an age spot, but what I AM sure about is I don't want em! I have heard that a product called Hydroquinone can help get rid of them. However I did a little research and his product has been banned in Europe because it may cause cancer! Has anyone heard that? Or has anyone used it with results?? Thanks guys :)

Answer: Hydroquinone is a severely toxic and powerful chemical used in the manufacture of rubber and an active agent in hair dyes. Using this for a short period of time will initially lighten the skin, but when used for a long time the skin will react to ultra violet rays leading to more pigmentation and premature ageing.

Question: hydroquinone?

Answer: hydroquinone is used for skin lightening but has been banned in europe and asia because of its carcinogenic properties; stay away from mercury and steroid ingredients too; read this article for a safer way to lighten skin - http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/art…

Question: How does hydroquinone turn skin darker and cause hyperpigmentation? If hydroquinone blocks cells from making pigment then how can it sometimes have the bad effect of making the skin overall darker and hyperpigment? Hydroquinone is supposed to make skin lighter but I read that is can also make skin darker as a side effect and also cause hyperpigmentation? But how does it do this? I mean what is the reasoning behind this bad side effect?

Answer: probably bc you need to use sunblock while wearing it and some people wont. so itll turn the skin dark, from sun expsosure while on the product..

Question: What is an effective bleaching cream without hydroquinone? And why is hydroquinone so bad? I'm trying to fade a way a scar and someone told me to use a bleaching cream without hydroquinone. Dr. Palmer's skin whitener has hydroquinone, and I thought it would be good. So now I'm sort of confused about what I should try.

Answer: It's bad because it's a carcinogen. Yet another carcinogen in US cosmetics...imagine that... This use is banned in some countries (e.g. France) because of fears of a cancer risk. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroquinon… Hydroquinones cause specific mutations and lead to cellular transformation and in vivo tumorigenesis. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez…

Question: How come hydroquinone causes hyperpigmentation but is also supposed to get rid of hyperpigmentation? Hydroquinone is often prescribed by doctors as a bleaching agent, why is it that it also causes what it is supposed to treat????

Answer: It depends on the concentration of hydroquinone used. People w/ darker skin using it @ higher concentrations may end up w/ dark spots due to irritation. I have a medium-dark complexion & sometimes I experience dark spots as my skin heals from a pimple or an allergic reaction. My dermatologist told me that the skin generates more cells to heal the affected area but it may also pump out more melanin in response. "hydroquinone. Substance that is known to successfully reduce the intensity of freckles, melasma, and general brown patching by inhibiting melanin production. For continued and increased effectiveness it must be used long term. Unprotected sun exposure should be avoided, because it reverses the effect of hydroquinone by increasing melanin production. Occasionally, at higher concentrations, persons with a darker skin type will experience increased pigmentation, but this is rare. It can cause mild skin irritation and there is the possibility of an allergic reaction. Hydroquinone in 1% to 2% concentrations is available in over-the-counter products; 4% concentrations are available by prescription only (Source: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, September-October 2000, pages 261�268)." http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/dictio…

Question: What is the reasonable amount of hydroquinone in a skin cream? Is it true that hydroquinone causes cancer? Is 2% hydroquinone enough to cause cancer?

Answer: Hydroquinone can be compounded into 5%-10% concentrations, but at these strengths, may be irritating and unstable. The 2% concentrations of hydroquinone available over the counter in the US and Canada are not as efficacious as the 3% and 4% prescription formulations, as their onset of action is later than with the higher concentrations. Although the full extent of the dangers of hydroquinone , the active ingredient in the skin bleaching creams are still unknown, U.S. studies have linked it with leukemia, liver damage, and thyroid disorders. Animal studies show that it could cause mutations in developing fetuses. Hydroquinone has been on the cancer watchlist for decades, both because of animal studies (rats given tons of hydroquinone to ingest) and retrospective health surveys that compared cancer risks by occupation/environmental exposure. Statistically, lifelong excess exposure to hydroquinone is associated with an increase cancer risk, so the FDA wants to ban OTC sales of hydroquinone. Many dermatologists claim limited topical use does not pose a genuine hazard. Instead of hydroquinone there are safe subsitutes to reduce the intensity of skin discolorations. Licorice extract, azelaic acid, mulberry extract and bearberry extract all tend to inhibit skin melanin pigment synthesis. An experienced aesthetic dermatologist or cosmetician can help you decide which skin lightening cream will work best for you.

Question: How long does it take to notice a change in skin tone when using hydroquinone? I'm currently trying to pick the quickest way to remove some of my hyperpigmentation spots and asides from using lemon juice, hydroquinone seems like a good option. How long does it typically take to start seeing results when using this?

Answer: use safe skin lightening products - no hydroquinone, mercury or steroids that harm the skin after long term use.. true, hydroquinone can lighten the skin but can cause skin to be more sensitive to the sun and can cause skin cancer.. although 2% in commercial products is acceptable, cautious people choose not to buy.. AND potent unlike most commercial products showing little or no results at all.. AND use a high spf (50 or better) sunscreen whenever outdoors.. so here's a good source for safe and potent skin lighteners-

Question: Where can I purchase Hydroquinone 10% legally? Is it possible to get a prescription for it? I have severe hyperpigmentation and it is literally destroying me. I can't go out in the sun and it's depressing! I will never get anywhere in life or be able to accomplish anything in the field of music if I don't get this fixed. Where can I purchase Hydroquinone 10% legally?

Answer: The ony place I've been able to find this was walmart.. have you tried looking there ? If you don't have one around just check froogle or walmart's online site.

Question: Can anyone please advice me about using Hydroquinone for skin lightening? I have a fair complexion with a light brownish patch due to use of oral contraceptives. Has anyone used Hydroquinone containing products like ~skin effects brightening complex, or Esoterica or Fade out ,all of which contain 2% Hydroquinone.

Answer: Yes, it takes weeks-months to work bc you have to give the skin cells time to shed then grow back bleached, thats what gives you a lighter, even complexion. Remember, you have to keep using it even after it starts working or your skin will darken again.

Question: Can I use a cream with Hydroquinone or even the solvent DMSO to lighten a tattoo? I have tried Salabrasion, (using a water/salt solution) to no avail, and it is pretty much a whole sleeve that I have. Lasering will take years. I was told Hydroquinone might do the trick. Is this possible?

Answer: Laser removal of a tattoo will take repeat treatments over weeks or months - depending on factors like the size and colors of inks used when you got the tattoo. It will not take years. Laser treatments are generally safe, and you will see results (fading) fairly quickly. They can be expensive, depending on where you live and the size of the tattoo to be removed. But laser treatments are probably the most effective choice. Please don't mess with chemical removal of the tattoo on your own. Lots of unscrupulous people peddle chemicals that don't work, or are just plain dangerous to use. Hydroquinone may cause cancer. It probably won't lighten the inks or dyes in your tattoo. It does lighten age spots and discolorations. http://www.drugs.com/cdi/hydroquinone-cr… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroquinon… DMSO isn't a good option. It has been used as an anti-inflammatory and veterinary medicine, but I can't see that it has been used to lighten tattoos. It may have harmful side effects. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethyl_su… http://www.answers.com/topic/dmso?cat=he…

Question: How long does it take for hydroquinone to work? I have post hyperpigmentation in my buttocks area and also around my crotch area for 4-5 years already and did not take care of myself. I went to skin doctor and was given hydroquinone 6 percent. At first it made my skin real red and it peeled. Then after some time later i used it again My doctor told me it takes 4 weeks to see some difference but usually at least 3 months -6 months to see results. Does anyone know how long it takes?

Answer: about 4-6 weeks.

Question: What is the major product of nitration of hydroquinone? What is the major product of nitration of hydroquinone if nitric acid (HNO3) acts as an oxidizing agent?

Answer: If nitric acid acts as an oxidizing agent, then it would either remove hydrogen or add oxygen to the compound of interest. So you could possibly produce 1,4-benzoquinone (benzene looking ring with 2 double bonds and 2 carbonyls opposite of each other).

Question: Can I transfer a hydroquinone skin product into an airtight opaque container? Will it affect the product? Paula Begoun said that hydroquinone products become ineffective and turn brown when met with sunlight and air regularly, so would it be okay if I transferred it? Come on.. answers?

Answer: if it's already packaged & has a cover, id leave it alone. When I leave the cap of my hydroquinone 4% cream unscrewed it turns brown and clumps up after a while. If it's still going to be covered in the new container, i'd assume it'd be okay but if it were me i'd just leave it in it's original packaging

Question: Has anyone had success using Hydroquinone to fade tattoo ink? It's just a little dime sized tattoo. I've had it lasered twice and there's a faint outline remaining, but it's not enough to warrant another expensive laser treatment, I've heard about using Hydroquinone to lighten it, has anyone tried it?

Answer: u can also use a hyperpigmentation cream like meladermin it helps really

Question: Is it normal for darker spots to first get worse when using Hydroquinone? My doctor prescribed a hydroquinone cream for some hyperpigmentation and I started using it tuesday and the problem seems to be worse, I'm going to call them tomorrow but should I use it again tonight?

Answer: It does not appear to be a common side effect. The following adverse reactions have been reported: dryness and fissuring of paranasal and infraorbital areas, erythema, and stinging. Occasional hypersensitivity (localized contact dermatitis) may develop. If this occurs, the medication should be discontinued and the physician notified immediately.

Question: How can I get rid of the peeled skin after using Tretinoin + Hydroquinone? I use Tretinoin + Hydroquinone for 2 months then I rest for about a month, then I go to the same cycle again. On the first two weeks of application (first 2weeks of the cycle), my skin starts to peel rapidly. After 2 weeks of peeling my skin feels and looks good ( I'm very satisfied with the results). My problem is, I don't like how I look when I peel. Though it does not hurt, I't makes me look like I'm recovering from a sunburn. How can I remove the peeled skin?

Answer: when i got a really bad sunburn i would just scratch and scratch at IT until it all just started peeling away,Take nice hot bath and just scrub your back with really good soap,thats what i would do.Best of luck to you

Question: Is it true that hydroquinone causes cancer? Hydroquinone is found in fade creams I want to use one on my face but I've heard stories that it causes cancer. Is it true?

Answer: well, recent studies have shown that hydroquinone can cause genetic changes (mutations), so i guess the answer is yes. Hydroquinone can create white areas where no pigment can be made or turn your skin black. ALso, it can cause blood cancer and leukemia because when applied 2 skin it is absorbed into the blood stream. If i were you i wouldnt use it.

Question: What's the best way to use hydroquinone, cellex-c, and tazorac? I've been using a vitamin C serum for quite a while with nice results (improved skin texture) and my doctor recently prescribed tazorac (acne) and hydroquinone (short term basis for melasma). I was told to use the hydroquinone twice daily. Will this interfere with the tazorac or vitamin C serum? What's the best way to combine (or not combine) them? I do not have sensitive or easily irritated skin and I know the risks of hydroquinone. My doctor said that using the tazorac will also help the hydroquinone work faster. Any suggestions?

Answer: Use your vitamin C serum AM and the hydroquinone and Tazorac PM. Put the hydroquinone on first, let it dry and then apply the Tazorac.

Question: Can you fade a beauty mark with hydroquinone? Ok I know hydroquinone has some nasty side effects but what if I apply it only on one tiny beauty mark, would it make the beauty mark fade? Since it removes melanin? Please answer you'll get 10 points thx.

Answer: It may help, but it does depend on the strength. It is best to meet with a Dermatologist or a Plastic Surgeon. They can write the Rx for the proper strength. They may start with a weaker strength and build up. This is what was done for me. It worked some, but not enough. I hope this helps. Good luck!! Me

Question: I use a skin whitening cream that contains 2% hydroquinone, is it safe for me? I heard that hydroquinone is banned in some countries, such as France. Is it really safe?

Answer: Yes hydroquinone is safe. Some people, obviously not you, have bad reactions to it, but if you're already using the cream without problems you're fine.