Hydroquinone is our skin ingredient topic this week in lapree beauty, our anti-aging skincare community. Lindsey and I wanted to talk with you about this hydroquinone cream because many dermatologists prescribe this medicine to lighten dark spots. For example, if you are using birth control pills or have “the mask of pregnancy” otherwise known as melasma or have experienced sun damage then you know what brown patches we are talking about. They can be embarrassing and completely change the look of your skin.
I know firsthand of what melasma can do. I had a brown patch above my upper lip, and it looked as if I had a dark mustache. It was so incredibly embarrassing, and I had no idea what to do. This happened to me in my twenties and that is where my love for understanding the skin was born. Later in life, when I was pregnant with my first born my melasma spread all over my face. It included my forehead, my cheeks, my upper lip and my chin.
If you seek help for this condition, then you most likely will be prescribed hydroquinone. Today, we will talk about what it is, how it works, what it can do and are there other options out there they may be even better? (Spoiler alert* Yes there are;-))
What is Hydroquinone?
Hydroquinone is a cream that is used to lighten the dark spots or patches that you have on your skin. Seems simple enough right? I go to the doctor, I get a cream, and my brown spots magically disappear. Well, it’s not that simple. Hydroquinone is used to bleach the skin and reduce the number of melanocytes. What are melanocytes? The melanocytes are what makes the melanin that produces your skin tone.
How to use Hydroquinone?
Since it is a bleaching agent, you are not going to want to keep this as a permanent part of your skincare routine. You can use hydroquinone for a short amount of time to reduce the dark spots and brown patches. The problem is that when you get off the hydroquinone, the brown patches can come back. It is a horrible cycle. I know, because back in the day, this is what I used to try to solve my brown patches and it did not work. I would go through phases of it lightening some but then come back. Every day I looked in the mirror it would be hard because I would see different colors on my skin. I just wanted one even skin tone color. I didn’t use it for long because I was not a fan of putting bleach on my skin and was concerned about it getting into my blood stream. Also, it was temporary and as soon as the temperatures got high, or I was out in the sun (even with sunscreen) it would appear.
This is what I did to solve my melasma, brown spots, hyperpigmentation
This actually worked! It is not a topical cream or gel, and it is natural. I have a specific skincare routine that I use, along with a modality/beauty tool and I share exactly what I do in our community. My face is not full of patches anymore and I can go out in public without makeup and feel comfortable and confident. If you are interested, then meet me inside lapree beauty, our anti-aging skincare community. This is the only thing that has worked for me, and it has kept the brown spots, hyperpigmentation away. You can also use this if pregnant or nursing! Yay!
Side Effects include:
Burning, stinging, dry skin, facial hair, Ochronosis
If you decide to venture on the path of hydroquinone, then Always wear sunscreen and a hat as this makes your skin more susceptible to the sun. Do not apply to raw skin or if your skin has an open wound or a sore.
Disclaimer: Consult a doctor before applying any new medicines or creams.
For more anti-aging information, join lapree beauty – our anti-aging skincare community. Led by the leading licensed esthetician, Lindsey Holder with over a decade of experience as well as owning her own luxury boutique day spa.
All our best,
Ashley and Lindsey
lapree beauty, anti-aging skincare community
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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this platform is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this platform should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this article are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.