How safe is the use of hydroquinone?

what is the effect of combining a formulation containing 2% hydroquinone and fadeout cream.

I'm 15 years old. I'm planning to buy a whitening powder for my underarms. One of the ingredients of the powder is hydroquinone. It has a 2% hydroquinone. Is it safe for me?

Diane:
My melasma started three months after getting on Oral contraceptives. i used 4% Hydroquinine back then for 6 months. In October 2009 I stopped using Hydroquinine. In January 2010., I woke up one day with melasma around my lower lip. It is very bad. I have been trying to keep it lighter by natural spf 30 sunscreen. vitamin c serum. azelic acid and yogurt and turmeric mask. I also take vitamin c and msm supplements.

Back in May, 2010, my dermatologist prescribed me 4% hydro quinine again and suggested me to use it for 2 months only. i have been holding on to the prescription and sticking with natural cure. But nothing is helping. My question is can i take a risk of applying 4% hydro quinine for 2 months to get rid of this darkness.

KR

great info, Diane!!! thank you!

Rlyons, you're so very welcome. And remember, there are a lot of things that are good for us in small doses but toxic in larger doses. We could say that about antiinflammatory drugs, about cough syrup (especially with codeine), about antihistimines -- even about aspirin.

The best bet we have is to do exactly what you're doing -- find a doctor you trust, listen carefully to him or her, ask questions, get information, and then move forward. More and more it's clear that we are our own best advocate in any form of health care, no matter how "minor" it may seem in the grand scheme of things.

Take care!

Hey Diane,
Thanks so much for your reply. I had no idea that hydroquinone is an "industrial chemical" as described on one of your links! That scares me a little .....though I am using it at a relatively low strength. I don't fancy the idea of my collagen breaking down...I need it!!! LOL!
It IS funny to me that a doctor woud prescribe something for reasons of vanity that may cause greater harm than good physically! I wouldn't want to give up my freckles at the expense of my collagen(that's the thing that keeps it all togeter afterall!.
I am not pregnant or nursing and have no immediate plans in that area though my Doc did warn me about that.
I appreciate all your research!
Thanks again.

Rlyons, First of all, freckles are cute! Are you sure you want to get rid of them? (LOL we all love the things we don't have. I have olive skin and dark hair, which I love now, but I grew up wanting to be blond and blue-eyed.)

Hydroquinone acts to lighten freckles, age spots, melasma and chloasma because it decreases how much melanin forms in the skin. Melanin is the pigment in your skin that gives it whatever shade it is.

That's why you are more sensitive to the sun when you use it. Melanin is also what turns a person's skin darker in the sun, to protect it.

Drugs.com offers these cautions:
"Do not use hydroquinone topical on skin that is sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated, or on an open wound. It could make these conditions worse. Wait until these conditions have healed before applying hydroquinone topical.
"Before using hydroquinone topical, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
"liver disease; or
"kidney disease.
"If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.
"This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether hydroquinone topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. "

Any cream with hydroquinone at a higher percentage than 2% requires a prescription, so there is a margin of safety built in. Your doctor probably asked about allergies and other conditions before prescribing the cream for a short period, and made sure to tell you to keep it away from your eye area.

Side effects: Some patients actually experience a darkening of the skin where they are using the cream, and/or the bumps that signify contact dermititis. Collagen in the skin and elastic fibers can deteriorate, which is why use is generally discontinued if there's been no improvement in 4-6 months.

Here's a page that discusses this:

http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic528.htm

Some of the formulations that caused trouble in other countries had higher percentages of hydroquinone than you are using. Another product was banned because the hydroquinone was not mentioned on the label.

You may have heard reports of hydroquinone causing such things as leukemia. Hydroquinone is made by breaking down Benzene, which is a known carcinogen. However, here's a report that shows that when leukemia did appear, genetic and lifestyle aspects were also present as an explanation:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11243376

Here's the history behind the FDA's proposed ban of hydroquinone in any product that has not been approved through the New Drug application process:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06249/719230-51.stm

Interesting to note that the American Dermatological Society opposes this action.

It appears that the danger results from "lifelong excess exposure." In short, if you use a 4% or lower cream, and you use it as your doctor has prescribed, for a short term, it appears that dangers are minimal. If you notice any irritation to your skin or darkening, you need to get back to your doctor for advice.

But don't forget -- freckles are cute!