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Hydroquinone is a medication used in topical skin creams to lighten or bleach dark spots on the skin. It works by suppressing the production of melanin by melanocytes.
Studies have shown that hydroquinone can improve photodamage from 30-70%, including reducing hyperpigmentation, texture, fine lines, dryness, tone, and clarity of the skin. (Gladstone et al)
Hydroquinone is good for giving your face and neck a more even complexion. It helps with lightening dark spots on the skin from hyperpigmentation, melasma, or sun damage. It is used in dark spot correctors and melasma treatment. Hydroquinone can also help smooth rough skin. Lastly, hydroquinone has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by revealing a more even complexion and an overall bright, more youthful appearance.
There are some drawbacks to using hydroquinone.
Hydroquinone can cause redness, irritation, inflammation, and burning of the skin.
In rare instances, using this medication over years has actually caused the skin of some people to develop bluish-black patches, called ochronosis. This condition seems to occur with people of darker skin tones in general.
There has also been controversy in the past over whether hydroquinone has carcinogenic properties. In recent scientific studies, it has been shown that long-term use of hydroquinone could increase the chance of developing cancer. Therefore, this should be the last resort when other skin-brightening ingredients don't work for you.
A red tint to the skin can be caused by a myriad of situations. Some redness, such as that caused by rosacea, is caused a genetic disorder that affects the blood vessels at the surface of the skin. Other genetic conditions include psoriasis, which also causes redness. Some redness is caused by inflammation due to acne, blemishes, or eczema. Seborrheic dermatitis can also cause redness in the face. Minor irritations or skin allergies will also cause your face to appear red, so it is important to work with a dermatologist to determine the cause of redness on your skin.
There are a few ingredients that can help reduce inflammation associated with redness. For example, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, hemp seed oil, red tea are good for reducing inflammation associated with certain conditions that cause redness. However, it is important to work with a dermatologist to determine the cause of redness on your skin to determine the right course of treatment.
Sun rays can make redness worse so it is important to wear sunscreen daily when you have redness.
hydroquinone may be effective for redness, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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