How long does it take for 6% hydroquinone to work?
Hydroquinone is generally applied once daily to the affected areas at nighttime. The effects of Hydroquinone treatment can generally be seen after 5-7 weeks, and the treatment itself is for short-term use only.
What percentage of hydroquinone is effective?
The results of this study show that 4% Hydroquinone and 0.75% Kojic Acid + vitamin c 2.5% are effective topical hypopigmenting agents in the treatment of facial melasma. However, 4% Hydroquinone is a better topical hypopigmenting agent with rapid rate of clinical improvement when compared to 0.75% Kojic Acid cream.
What percentage is prescription hydroquinone?
Most prescription-strength hydroquinone formulations contain 3–4%, but concentrations as high as 10% may be available through compounding pharmacies. When prescribed by a physician, it is often combined with other actives, such as tretinoin, retinol, vitamin C or glycolic acid.
Does hydroquinone permanently lighten skin?
Hydroquinone does not permanently lighten skin. Still considered the go-to spot lightener in the U.S., many dermatologists recommend hydroquinone to: Treat any type of hyperpigmentation, from the post inflammatory hyperpigmentation left behind after an acne breakout to age and sun spots.
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.
Can you put hydroquinone all over your face?
While it can be used to treat focal areas, it is often best to apply this agent to the whole face and apply a heavier amount over the darkest regions. This helps prevent a blotchy complexion.
Is it safe to use 6 hydroquinone?
To date, hydroquinone is deemed safe in the United States. There isn’t any clinical evidence currently to suggest that hydroquinone is harmful to humans. However, minor side effects are still possible. It may cause a temporary uptick in redness or dryness at first, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Can hydroquinone make dark spots worse?
Hydroquinone may cause local skin irritation, however, and thereby leading to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, making the skin pigmentation worse.
Can I use hydroquinone on my whole face?
How long does it take for hydroquinone to fade dark spots?
It takes about four weeks on average for the ingredient to take effect. It may take several months of consistent use before you see full results. If you don’t see any improvements within three months of OTC use, talk to your dermatologist.
How fast does hydroquinone work?
Does pigmentation come back after hydroquinone?
Excessive hydroquinone concentrations may induce toxic or shocking effects on melanocytes, forcing them to regroup and increase their melanin production (resulting in rebound hyperpigmentation).
Does hydroquinone require a prescription?
Hydroquinone requires a prescription from a healthcare provider in the U.S., and can only be shipped to patients or healthcare providers in the U.S. Please talk to your healthcare provider here about a prescription for hydroquinone.
Is Hydroquinone safe for lightening dark spots?
Even though it’s been shown to effectively lighten dark spots , it’s not without risks. The lesser risk is the potential for so-called “halo spots ” around the treated areas. “The hydroquinone treats dark spots , but any product in contact with surrounding skin will also lighten those areas as well.
Is Hydroquinone safe on skin?
For the most part, hydroquinone is safe for the skin. Unfortunately, there is a small percentage of patients who can react to hydroquinone. The most common reaction is redness/irritation.
Can hydroquinone darken skin?
Skin can darken in response to hydroquinone, but it takes some time using it (for most around a year or so) to develop this darkening, called exogenous ochronosis. Two applications are not sufficient. However, both the hydroquinone and the retinoid can be irritating to the skin, and the irritated area can be darker than the rest of the skin.
