How soon do you see results with hydroquinone?

Assess your skin. The treated areas should start to appear lighter in four weeks. They do not lighten after three months, discontinue usage of hydroquinone and get medical advice from your dermatologist. You may need a stronger concentration of hydroquinone or if an alternative treatment, such as vitamin C.

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.

Can I use hydroquinone twice a week?

Treatment. Hydroquinone may be helpful in epidermal-type melasma. Concentrations vary from 2\% to 10\% and hydroquinone may be used twice daily for 12 weeks.

Do you apply hydroquinone before or after moisturizer?

After applying Retin-A, you may apply a moisturizer. However, for best results, wait one hour in between if possible. Hydroquinone 4\%: This cream/medication should be applied twice daily after cleansing. Apply Hydroquinone in the evening after Retin-A and in the morning for 2 to 6 weeks prior to the procedure.

What is the strongest hydroquinone cream?

Additionally, the highest strength that is commercially available with a prescription is a hydroquinone 4\% cream. A cream with 6, 8, or 10 percent hydroquinone can only be obtained from a compounding pharmacy with a prescription.

How effective is 2\% Hydroquinone?

OTC hydroquinone 2\% preparations are typically less effective than the prescription 4\% preparations. Adolescents are among those affected by acne, and a significant subset of these patients will experience related PIH. However, the majority of hydroquinone prescriptions written in the USA are done so by dermatologists.

Does hyperpigmentation get darker before it fades?

In dark skin tones, the greater concentration of melanin in the skin means hyperpigmentation is more common and takes longer to fade. This increases the concentration of melanin in the epidermis, creating a temporary darkening of the spots. So, the darkening is what you want to see.

Can I use hydroquinone twice a day?

Hydroquinone, a tyrosinase inhibitor, in a 4\% cream can be used safely twice daily for up to 6 months to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The efficacy of this treatment can be enhanced by using a retinoid nightly and a mid-potent steroid, which is applied twice daily for 2 weeks, then at weekends only.

How many shades can hydroquinone lighten?

7 shades
Hydroquinone skin lightening formula can brighten skin by up to 7 shades.

What happens if you use hydroquinone too long?

Chronic adverse events related to exposure to hydroquinone are of greater concern. These complications include ochronosis, nail discoloration, conjunctival melanosis, and corneal degeneration. Ochronosis is the most common chronic complication related to long-term use of hydroquinone.

What are the dangers of hydroquinone?

Stop using hydroquinone and tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: blistering, skin cracking, blue-black darkening of the skin. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

How does hydroquinone lighten skin?

Hydroquinone is a depigmenting agent used to lighten areas of darkened skin such as freckles, age spots, chloasma, and melisma caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone medicine, or injury to the skin. Hydroquinone decreases the formation of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment in skin that gives it a brown color.

How do you use hydroquinone?

Use hydroquinone only on the brown spots and the tretinoin cream all over your face. If you are tolerating them, increase treatment to every night. If tolerated, also use the hydroquinone in the morning. You must use SPF 50+ and avoid the sun. Neutrogena or any mild cleanser is a good choice for washing your face.