Hydroquinone is a skin care ingredient that has been used for decades to lighten the appearance of dark spots. It can be found in many over-the-counter products, but should not be confused with prescription creams containing hydroquinone or mercury.  Hydroquinone works by blocking the production of melanin, which is what causes pigment issues. However, manufacturers have recently begun reducing concentrations due to safety concerns and side effects such as irritation and itching.

It’s important to get professional advice before deciding whether or not you want to use this product on your own skin.

Pros and cons of hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is a chemical used in skin care products. It can diminish dark marks on the skin and prevent new ones from forming, but it has a controversial history. The debate of whether or not hydroquinone should be banned from use in skin care products has been going on for decades.  In 1981, the FDA determined that hydroquinone was safe to be used as an ingredient in cosmetics and drugs after extensive research. However, some studies have shown that prolonged exposure to high levels of hydroquinone can cause cancerous tumors. Skin lightening creams containing this ingredient are popular among African Americans who want their skin tone to match theirs more closely with lighter shades such as pink or yellow tones. Hydroquinone may still pose a risk for skin.

Hydroquinone is a topical agent that reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production.

There are two types of hydroquinone: alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acid (BHA). AHA stimulates collagen synthesis while BHA clears acne and blackheads from pores. Hydroquinone has been used for decades to treat skin problems such as age spots, freckles, sunspots or lentigines; melasma; chloasma (also called “the mask of pregnancy”).

Right way to use hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is a common ingredient in skin care products. It has been used for decades to treat dark spots on the skin, but it can have some side effects.

Hydroquinone is a type of medication that lightens or removes brown patches on your skin called hyperpigmentation or age spots. Hydroquinone works by slowing down melanin production in your body, which are pigment cells that give you color. This makes any remaining pigmentation less noticeable and slows new ones from forming as well. Although this sounds like an amazing product for anyone with unwanted black dots.

Hydroquinone is a type of skin lightening agent that has been in use for many decades. It was originally used to treat your skin from hyperpigmentation caused by scars, burns and age spots. Nowadays it’s not only found in skin care products but also cosmetics such as shampoos, hair conditioners and concealers. The truth is, hydroquinone can be very effective at treating these conditions but there are risks associated with the ingredient that you should know about before using this product on sensitive areas like your face or private parts.