Hydroquinone, Skin Lightener or Bleached Whale?
Hydroquinone, a skin bleaching, or lightening, compound reduces pigmentation associated with brown spots, freckles, melasma, and darker skin by inhibiting melanin production. There is controversy surrounding the topical use of this skin-lightening agent.
Although Hydroquinone was approved by the FDA for use in cosmetics in the United States, it’s been banned in several countries including Europe, Japan, and Australia. However, in August 2006, the FDA proposed a ban on over-the-counter products that contain this ingredient. These products contain up to 2% of Hydroquinone compared to prescription products which contain up to 4%. Common prescription products include Tri-Luma, Lustra, and EpiQuin Micro. The reason for the recently proposed ban is due to studies in rodents that showed “some evidence” Hydroquinone may be carcinogenic (although not proved in humans). Separately, the use of Hydroquinone has been linked with the skin becoming dark and thick (known as “Ochronosis”).
So have to wonder if it is worth it to use this lightening cream? Many dermatologists seem to think so, but I like to err on the cautious side in the rough and tumble world of beauty products. If choose to use this product, Beauty Beat advises its readers to wear sunscreen or avoid sun exposure altogether because the suns’ rays can reverse the effect of hydroquinone by increasing skin pigmentation!
For more on the FDA proposed ban, visit FDA Skin Bleaching.
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