Hydroquinone is probably the most commonly used lightening agent and the only FDA approved bleaching agent. When purchased over the counter, 2% is the maximum concentration while 4% is the standard for topical prescriptions. But, there are concerns regarding it. Studies suggest that hydroquinone can cause an adverse reaction called ochronosis, which is a darkening of the treated area, even at concentrations as low as 2 percent. This buildup of blue-black pigment is most common in darker skin types, such as those of Asian, Hispanic and African descent. It often results from sun exposure during hydroquinone use. Some studies have asserted that there's a link between ochronosis and long-term use of high levels of hydroquinone as well, though it must be noted that many of these studies come out of South Africa, where hydroquinone has been available over-the-counter in concentrations of more than 5 percent and is often used from head to toe.
I personally, am not a fan of hydroquinone based skin lighteners which is what you normally get when purchasing over the counter skin lighteners/whiteners and what you always get when using prescription lighteners. Although studies frequently site the adverse reaction ochronosis, I have actually only seen that in a patient once…and trust me, it is a really ugly reaction and very difficult and sometimes impossible to correct. Why am I so against hydroquinone then? Because I have seen quite often in clients the adverse reaction of hypopigmentation (the removal of pigmentation) resulting in spotty, patchy complexions. So now a person seeking to eliminate dark spots now has spotty light spots all over their face. Usually dermatologist will instruct patients to use the lightener just on the dark spot. This is to avoid the patchiness I’m talking about. But, how do you spread a gel or cream on a spot without getting any product on the skin outside of that area…and how do you get an overall evening of the complexion if you are spot treating your face?
Because hydroquinone is also a bleaching agent, it can strip the skin of its natural pigmentation (and on top of that, cause a host of other issues when misused and abused). I hope that is not the objective for which most are using lighteners. If in fact your goal is to have a smooth even skin tone then look to the new, natural based skin lighteners such as GIVEN’s Clearly Even skin lightener, which are becoming more readily available on the market today. While definitely more costly to purchase (hydroquinone is an inexpensive chemical to obtain), these skin lighteners are just as effective as hydroquinone, but without the side effects. They only affect the over production of melanin, i.e. hyperpigmentation, not your natural pigmentation. And since you are able to apply the product all over the face, you achieve a more uniform result as it can then affect the over production of melanin everywhere, not just in the most visible spots.
Checkout this article published by a doctor for Black Health Matters http://www.blackhealthmatters.com/fa-sept-2007.html. She sites some eye opening facts and statistics…and I agree with everything she says except “We must also encourage black people to seek help from a qualified dermatologist for treatment of pigmentary abnormalities, rather than self-medicating with topical bleaching agents obtained from non-medical personnel.” which is a direct quote from her article. I am non-medical personnel, though I have worked with dermatologists in my field, and I know that hydroquinone is the chemical of choice in prescription lighteners here in the U.S....and no matter where a hydroquinone-based lightener is obtained from, the possible side effects do not change. I always say safer than sorry. Why take the chance? Opt for non-hydroquinone-based products.
http://www.givencosmetics.com/
http://www.givencosmetics.com/
