You may have heard the term hydroquinone before and wondered what it was. The term is used in a variety of skin care products and since it is an ingredient that can be found in more than one product, you need to make sure you know what it does, whether or not you should use it, and how to use it if you are going to.

What Is Hydroquinone?

Hydroquinone is a chemical compound that is derived from benzene and is primarily used as a skin lightener. It has been used for decades to lighten areas of the skin such as freckles, chloasma, melasma, senile lentigines, and other unwanted areas of hyperpigmentation. It has also been used to lighten normal skin as well. It works by decreasing the amount of melanin in the skin which causes darkening of the skin.

Is It Safe?

While there has been much controversy over the safety of hydroquinone in recent years due to its carcinogenic properties when ingested orally, hydroquinone has been proven safe when applied topically in appropriate dosages (usually 2% or less). Due to its potential to cause cancer when ingested orally however, other countries have banned its use in cosmetics while many

Hydroquinone is a compound that inhibits the formation of melanin, which is the pigment that gives color to our skin. It has been used for many years to treat hyperpigmentation and melasma, two common skin conditions that cause darkened patches on your face, neck, chest and hands.

Hydroquinone is the gold standard for skin lightening and is available in different concentrations. It can be found in over the counter (OTC) products up to 2% strength. Higher concentrations are available by prescription. The use of hydroquinone has been controversial in recent years due to some studies linking it to cancer and ochronosis, a condition where the skin turns bluish-black or brownish-grey. While these studies have not been confirmed by larger ones, many countries have banned its sale because of this. In 2006, the European Union placed a ban on its use as a cosmetic ingredient. It can still be sold as an over-the-counter product in the United States but has been banned in Japan, Australia and Canada.

There has been some concern that hydroquinone may not only suppress melanin production but may also kill melanocytes; the cells responsible for producing melanin. This is why retinoic acid products are sometimes

Hydroquinone is a skin lightening agent which is used to treat dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It works by reducing the production of melanin, which is responsible for the appearance of these conditions. Hydroquinone is an effective treatment for dark spots, freckles and other types of hyperpigmentation that can occur with age or as a result of exposure to the sun.

We offer different strengths of hydroquinone products to help you achieve your desired results. We also offer a range of skin care products that work in combination with hydroquinone to further enhance its effectiveness.

The most common side effect of hydroquinone is irritation around the area it is applied to. This may be experienced as redness, itching or a burning sensation. If you experience irritations when using hydroquinone, discontinue use immediately and contact us at 1-888-477-5730 or email us at info@MeladermSkinCare.com for more information and assistance in finding an appropriate alternative treatment for your condition.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please avoid using hydroquinone because it has not been tested for safety on expecting or nursing mothers. If you are taking any medication, we also recommend that you consult with a doctor before using

Skin is the largest organ of the body, and it’s our first line of defense against illness and infection. But there are many things we do to our skin that could be causing more harm than good. Here are the top 7 ways you might be damaging your skin, and what you can do to correct it:

1. Smoking: The chemicals in cigarettes can damage your skin by breaking down collagen and elastin, which keep your face firm and youthful. If you smoke, quitting will help but it may not completely undo the damage.

2. Not Wearing Sunscreen: The sun damages your skin both by making it age faster and by increasing your risk for melanoma and other skin cancers. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day, even if you don’t plan to spend time outdoors or if it’s cloudy outside.

3. Too Much Sugar: Refined sugars break down collagen, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. Opt for natural sources of sugar such as fruit rather than refined sugars found in sodas, candy and baked goods.

4. Not Enough Sleep: When you sleep, your body repairs damage to your skin cells caused by free radicals released during normal cell function. When you don’t get enough sleep, these free

Topical skin lightener that’s used to eradicate age spots, freckles and other skin discolorations. It can also be used as treatment for melasma. The hydroquinone concentration in over-the-counter skin lighteners is only two percent, while prescription formulas may contain up to four percent of hydroquinone.

Hydroquinone is classified as a topical depigmenting agent. Hydroquinone is the number one ingredient for fading hyperpigmentation and dark spots. It works by inhibiting the production of melanin and reduces the color of your dark spots over time. Hydroquinone also protects your skin from oxidative damage, which will help prevent new age spots from forming.

The FDA has recently strengthened warnings on over-the-counter skin bleaching products that contain hydroquinone, a chemical compound used to lighten skin and treat hyperpigmentation and melasma. The agency has proposed stronger warnings for prescription incidences of hydroquinone, as well.

As a result of these new warnings, the FDA is requiring manufacturers to use explicit language to warn consumers about the potential risks of using skin bleaching products. These include:

• Discoloration or darkening of the skin (Ochronosis)

• Redness, irritation, burning and itching

• Increased sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity)

Skin and the Hydroquinone Controversy

Hydroquinone is a skin bleaching agent and a common ingredient in many skin lightening creams. It has been used for years to help even out skin color and fade spots, freckles and melasma. However, there is much controversy over the use of hydroquinone as an ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) products in the United States. In Europe, hydroquinone has been banned in cosmetic products since 2001.

In 2006, the FDA proposed a ban on OTC hydroquinone after reports of exogenous ochronosis were reported by users of hydroquinone products. Exogenous ochronosis is characterized by bluish-black discoloration of the skin which can be disfiguring and irreversible. The proposed ban was never implemented, however, due to lack of conclusive evidence that OTC formulations of hydroquinone can cause this condition.

In 2010, the FDA issued a final ruling upholding its proposal to remove OTC 2% hydroquinone products from the market. This ruling was based on animal studies showing that hydroquinone caused cancer in mice. Manufacturers of OTC 2% hydroquinone products had 90 days from May 24, 2010 to discontinue