Has anybody had (lasting) success with hydroquinone?
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free skin care · Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:59 am

I have not wanted to use any products with hydroquinone for my melasma as I have read many postings where people have had negative effects from it. On the other hand, I have read of people who have had positive experiences with it - but for those who have - have the results lasted? Obagi Clear got great reviews on MUA and I am tempted to try it...

The problem is - my melasma will just not go away! It has faded - but it is still there! I am also thinking of trying cosmelan - but I have heard of people having negative effects from that too. Hmmmmm...... Confused

free skin care · Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:24 am

I don't have melasma, just some sun damage from baking in the sun every summer since I was 16. My friend, who owns a laser salon (I've been going to her for laser hair removal for 4 years), offered to zap my face with the Candlelase laser to see if the laser would get rid of the sun spots.

I had my first treatment, the week before Christmas. I was dissappointed in that, it didn't seem to work on the spots as much as I thought it would. She gave me a tube of 4% hydroquinone to use on the spots. She said it would lighten them and to use it daily. I had a second laser treatment last week, but so far can tell no difference in the spots.

I did an internet search on hydroquinone, and was surprised/shocked to see its the same cream people use to lighten their butts. Butt bleaching, anal bleaching whatever you want to call it. Laughing

I'm still using it on my sun spots, and will give it another month or so. BUTT....if this doesn't work on my face...guess where its going to go???? Very Happy

(too much info-I KNOW)

I have seen Cosmelan, and that really seems to work. A friend used it on her chest, and the difference was remarkable. The price quoted to me was around $1000.00....a little steep for a few brown spots.

free skin care · Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:49 pm

Isn't Vitamin C supposed to work to even out that sort of thing? AND Obagi makes a Vitamin C Serum with 2% HQ so maybe that combo would work for you. Obagi C-Rx with Hydroquinone.

EDS does not carry it but do a search and you can find it on the web I'm sure. It is kind of a two for one deal and good if you don't want that much bleaching.

free skin care · Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:22 am

Vit C works but slowly. I had real problems with hydroquinone because it is sun sensitive it caused me hyperpigmentation (and I use a high value sunscreen) so I got dark spots not lightening. Also there are some good studies suggesting it may cause unwanted changes in cells possibly even cancer.

I use glycolic acid peels and higher pH products (DDF 18% cream very reasonable price) using glycolic acid daily on my hands. This has diminished sunspots.

free skin care · Mon Jan 30, 2006 3:50 pm

Thanks for the advice! I do use a vitamin c serum - IS Clinical Proheal...Perhaps I am being impatient but it has been a number of months. I do glycolic peels sometimes also. I know so many people caution about using hydroquinone - but I still do find it tempting...I think I will hold back for now.

free skin care · Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:47 pm

I did not find hydroquinone to be very effective. I did find it to be sticky-feeling and able to break me out. My best results getting rid of melasma were with Retin-A/AHA serum alternating each night, C+ firming serum (limit melanocyte production)followed by sunscreen each day. In about 8 weeks, I could see a distinct difference along my jawline and on my cheeks.

Other lighteners to consider: kojic acid, licorice root extract.

If you can have a little down time, I think TCA peels are a great start towards getting rid of melasma. You do peel (molt really!)to the extent that you probably would not want to be in public though.

And, of course, NOTHING will work if you don't use sunscreen religiously.

free skin care · Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:13 pm

Thanks betterat40! Very Happy

I am trying a similar routine as you. But my Retin-A is only .01% and I am wondering whether I need a higher concentration. What % do you use?

I have tried TCA peel 12%. Hardly any peeling - even when I put on two layers. I may try a higher percent one of these days - what have you used?

free skin care · Fri Feb 03, 2006 8:32 pm

After I had my babies, I developed melasma. The thing that worked for me is the prescription "Triluma" It's excellent-works fast!

free skin care · Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:23 pm

There is a product called Kojicol Plus made by Sesderma that has gotten great feedback. I found it atwww.theskincareinstitute.com

I emailed the manufacturer and got a sample of the regular strength but only tried a dab once(made my skin alittle pink and itchy) Confused

. I am still using my sample of Tri-Luma so I will see how this goes. There is a melasma board atwww.skincarerx.com that has lots of info.

HTH

Sat Feb 04, 2006 5:01 am

i've had success with hydroquinone, you have to apply it regularly. i wouldnt put it on my face or anything that gets sun, it ends up making spots even darker. Confused

[and also, i read that it's horrible for your skin so don't use it any longer than you have to!]

Sun Feb 05, 2006 11:13 pm

I agree - do NOT try hydroquinone anywhere that sees the sun ever! I tried the Murad version on the sun/age spots near my eyes, first it seemed to work but then the spots came back, I think darker than before! I was using 30spf over it but I guess it wasn't enough. (My "spots" look like light brown smudges under my right eye only, almost like smudged brown mascara. Is this Melasma?) The product itself turned an awful brownish orange too, right in the bottle. I returned it to Murad and they sent me their brightening treatment for free, but after a month it didn't have any effect, though at least not a negative one. Now I just use self tanner on my face to try and make the spots less noticeable. I'm scare to try anything else actually, wouldn't want them to get even worse!

free skin care · Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:08 pm

Yes, Socal girl, that does happen. It's called "rebound hyperpigmentation" and it does occur with HQ use if you are not super-vigilant about sunscreen use. HQ is just a pain to use IMO. I did pick up a Pevonia product on sale yesterday - Lightening Gel- which list azelaic acid, glycolic acid, arbutin, kojic acid high on the ingredients list. Can't wait to use it regularly on my darker areas where old cysts have left marks.

Wed Feb 08, 2006 2:57 pm

hi i just registered, i strongly recommend people not to use any products with hydroquine in it, because i read it somewhere that it is dangerous for the skin and can cause all sorts of skin problems.

Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:25 am

I'm looking for feedback from those who've used HQ products to lighten brown marks left from acne (bump popper..lol). Yeah, that's bad, I know. I'm African-American, medium skin-tone (shade of light caramel) and have brown spots in various places on my face left as my prize for popping the bumps. Medium coverage make up covers them sufficiently, but I'm tired of foundation! lol My doctor prescribes Retin A to get the chin cysts under control and Tri-luma to fade the marks this morning (2-10-06). OTC HQ products typically have had little to no effect to lighten spots previously. Looking for feedback from other woman of color with similar challenges (all other helpful feedback is welcome as well)!

free skin care · Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:39 am

Welcome Blk Chereez Exclamation

Although I am not "a woman of color" I can attest to the fact that Tri-luma has helped fade a few of my hyperpigmentation areas. Mainly above my lip. I have a few other areas that are just flat out stubborn and not really fading Mad

I have heard that the protocol that your derm prescribed is a quite good one, although I would hesitiate to use both Retina A and Tri-luma on the same area (they both have tretinoin). Perhaps you're not doing this though. I do have concerns with HQ, but I don't plan on using it for a long period. I can't use straight HQ or tretinoin (at this time anyways) due to dermatitis flareup. But with the addition of steroid in the Tri-luma I seem ok. I'm only spot treating 3 small areas at this time. My skin is so fickle Confused

Good luck with using the Tri-luma. Smile

Thu Feb 16, 2006 2:47 pm

i am using triluma for my melasma and its giving me good results but the treated skin area gets red and itchy for a week.i really wish that my skin gets clear.as it was before Neutral

Thu Feb 16, 2006 3:40 pm

I'm going to be starting the Obagi in two weeks, after my last glycolic peel. The whole Obagi line is all about HQ. Is this not safe to use???

free skin care · Sun Feb 19, 2006 1:24 am

Brown spots are caused by UVA rays from the sun. If you don't use a ss with good UVA blocking, you are throwing your time and $$ away. In the US, the best UVA blockers are ZO and TD, IMO. You also have to use them every day even on cloudy days as UVA rays zip right through clouds and windows.

I have been using Clear, which is an Obagi HQ product for over a year and it has faded several brown spots I had. I have several friends that have used HQ for years with no adverse affects. You do have to stop using it every now and then. Most people stop during the summer. Not because it will ruin your skin but because it could potentially harm your liver. That's why you cut back.

It also helps to use something like Retin-A during the time you are using HQ to help the skin peel.

free skin care · Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:20 am

Chrissie wrote:

I did an internet search on hydroquinone, and was surprised/shocked to see its the same cream people use to lighten their butts. Butt bleaching, anal bleaching whatever you want to call it. Laughing

I'm still using it on my sun spots, and will give it another month or so. BUTT....if this doesn't work on my face...guess where its going to go???? Very Happy

(too much info-I KNOW)

Umm - not trying to go O/T - but why would someone bleach their butt?

free skin care · Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:52 am

Quote:

Candy8865
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:20 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chrissie wrote:
I did an internet search on hydroquinone, and was surprised/shocked to see its the same cream people use to lighten their butts. Butt bleaching, anal bleaching whatever you want to call it. I'm still using it on my sun spots, and will give it another month or so. BUTT....if this doesn't work on my face...guess where its going to go???? (too much info-I KNOW)

Umm - not trying to go O/T - but why would someone bleach their butt?

I was wondering exactley the same...Chrissie, please enlighten us!

Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:16 am

Blk Chereez - Here's my take on your question -posted about ten days ago!

Hi everyone. I'll keep this as brief as possible but hopefully my story will strike a cord with some of you out there. I am a UK male of Afro Carribean extrect with previously very oily skin (I've had degrees of acne since 16 - I am now 40) At times my skin has been terrible and at some times pretty much perfect. One of the major improvements came over the last 3/4 years with the usage of acidophilus tablets (Holland and Barrett - apparently they help increase efficient food digestion. I started going to the toilet every 1-2 days instead of 3-4!) I can only assume the toxins stored in my body because of my inefficient digestion used to come through my facial skin. It reduced my acne problems by around 90% so all I had to do was concentrate on looking after my blemished skin. About 9 months ago I decided to buy chewable acidophilus instead of normal (there was only a extra big container of normal acidophilus available) This was the biggest mistake of my skin life in the last ten years. Over a three month period my skin got progressively worse and by the end of month 3 I was getting a boil every 2-3 days - with resultant blemishes that take MUCH longer to heal than normal spots. This was extremely depressing considering my skin had been virtually perfect for the last year. I then used a combination of Palmers skin success cream and Fade cream (both contain Hydroquinone) in my desperation to get rid of these blemishes. I've used them before but this time basically overloaded my skin with these creams. I used these for around two months and noticed areas of my skin where product was applied (about 15% of surface) had almost overnight turned blue/grey in colour. I have never been so depressed in years. I have stopped use of these products now and my skin 6 weeks later is about 30% better (still a way off my previous condition) I will now be trying a completely NATURAL product called Elicina cream (type into Yahoo) to help in the regeneration of my damaged skin cells. I'll tell you how I get get on. The bottom line is HydroQ can not only inhibit melanin production but actually damage your pigment cells - and carries on working for a while after you stop using it. I've learnt the hard way folks but I guess it could have been so much worse. Basically people with Black skin should use HydroQ extremely sparingly and watch for signs of odd greying - it will lead onto darkening!

The good thing is my skin is reacting well to being well looked after and I'm now being left with light blemishes (as the pigment cells repair themselves rather than blue/grey marks. Check out Melederm by Civant. I have not used it but it claims to do all the things HydroQ does a lot more naturally - without the side-effects. Peace

free skin care · Sun Jul 23, 2006 1:19 pm

I have been using a Peter Thomas Roth product with HQ at 2% (ordered from EDS) as well as other stuff like kojic for the last week so very early days. I was concerned on whether to order it or not, not about the slightly possible carcenogic effects (after all I do smoke, I never get people who get paranoid about skincare and food when they smoke..) but whether it would work etc.

I decided to go for it as I rely trust PTR as a brand having used it for years. I emailed with a lady there and she was really helpful. I am to use it (on my dark spots only) and at night for not more than three months at a time and use sunscreen. Then I should use the brightener which is non HQ but has kojic for three months (can be used all over the skin) and then if I still need it go back to the HQ product for 3 months as before etc etc. I can use my 10% glycolic hydrating lotion on top of both products (but letting the other stuff dry first)

To me, it seems as if the dark spots are a bit darker...BUT i have not been vigilant enough about sunscreen and this thread has given me a good reminder, so I will be extra careful from tomorrow and report back next week! And then when I have longlasting results (or not!).

ETA My skin is generally very good at the moment though this is the only new product. Maybe I'm just taking more care.

free skin care · Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:22 pm

I have used hydroquinone off and on for several months. Right now, my choice is Palmer's Skin Success Cream for Oily Skin. I only use it at night. It did, after several weeks, make a difference in my skin. Mind you, my pigmentation issues (particularly along the sides of my face) are still there, but less apparent. It has done little for my chin area, which is a bit dark.

I got a sample of Solange (a spa skincare line) lightening gel and used it a few times. About the third or fourth day, it looked like I had light patches on my face. I have not used anything since, not even good old Palmers.

The Vitamin C Serum and the other serum I am using are giving me good looking skin - the tone is more even and healthy looking. I think I will stick with this routine for a while before I get back into the lightening business.

I have tried products with kojic (Peter Thomas Roth, for one) that did absolutely nothing for my skin.

Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:38 pm

Thanks beej! I've been busy and am just now checking back for feedback. Your info was wonderful. I too have been battling acne from age 16 to now (39), so days I have the Ozarks on my face, sometimes it's so near perfect that I get nervous...lol I have however determined one thing for sure. Whenever I'm not "regular" toxins build up in my body and seep through my skin. The result is horrendous acne. I'm talking peaks and valleys on my chin and jawline! I now use a colon cleanser at least once a week (gentle) and my acne decreases sometimes by about 99%! This, I've found is KEY for me. Triluma had virtually NO effect on fading any resulting dark spots from pimple popping. In the past, Estee lauder skin treatments (Fruition and Advanced Night Repair) worked WONDERS on my skin, cleared it up completely ...so much so that I almost stopped wearing foundation. I think I'm going to give their newer advanced products a try and see how they work. Do let me know how you're getting along. I wish you the best of luck! I know your frustration all too well! Wink

free skin care · Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:41 pm

Candy8865 wrote:

Chrissie wrote:

I did an internet search on hydroquinone, and was surprised/shocked to see its the same cream people use to lighten their butts. Butt bleaching, anal bleaching whatever you want to call it. Laughing

I'm still using it on my sun spots, and will give it another month or so. BUTT....if this doesn't work on my face...guess where its going to go???? Very Happy

(too much info-I KNOW)

Umm - not trying to go O/T - but why would someone bleach their butt?

I saw some playboy models bleaching their butt holes on TV... Rolling Eyes

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