Hydroquinone – Information about Hydroquinone and General Skin Care
Hydroquinone is a product used to lighten skin and the effects of hyperpigmentation that occurs when the body produces an excess of melanin, usually due to excess sun exposure. It is important to check with your dermatologist to determine if hydroquinone is the right kind of skin care product for your needs. There are a variety of locations where it is not recommended or legally possible to use hydroquinone without a necessary prescription by a doctor and for only certain skin conditions. Hydroquinone can benefit users when used as prescribed. If you find this product available in some countries, you should be very careful about using it without a doctor’s prescription because many unregulated cosmetic blends can contain chemicals that are harmful to your skin.
Hydroquinone may be recommended by your dermatologist instead of laser or other intense, peeling skin treatments. Hydroquinone is a skin care product that must be used with care, especially if you are not sure of the complete contents and integrity and health of all its ingredients. You can buy hydroquinone over the counter in the United States but it is contained in a very low dose, topical application that should help treat cases of hyperpigmentation without adverse affects. You should see your dermatologist before using hydroquinone to make sure it is of a dose and quality best suited to your condition.
Hydroquinone is intended to block melanin production via topical application to skin. By blocking melanin, hydroquinone is not a skin bleaching agent but essentially a product that affects how skin can be affected by melanin. High doses of hydroquinone are still causes for various health concerns that include skin irritation and the possibility of cancer. That said, there are many cases where hydroquinone is used safely and it may be other mercury based skincare products that are more cause for alarm and health safety concerns.
If you and your dermatologist are concerned about using hydroquinone to treat your condition, there are other alternatives to consider. Some natural alternatives to hydroquinone include general exfoliation and exfoliation skin care products. Other natural lighteners include licorice extract and vitamin C. Research continues on the success and viability of bearberry extract and other berries which actually contain natural hydroquinone. Other than hydroquinone, some doctors recommend natural supplements taken in an oral pill form to fight the production of melanin. These supplements are typically formed from a base of pomegranate, pears, or Vitamin E.
