We live in Florida and we all have some degree of sun damage. Fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots plague people over the age of 30. There are creams and products sold that claim to reduce the pigmentation “dark spots” from sun damage. The main ingredient in most of these formulations is Hydroquinone.
Hydroquinone is used in many skin care products and marketed as a skin lightener or brightener. This medication has been a hot topic in the past few years as it has been deemed unsafe and banned in some countries. Here in the United States it is still FDA-Approved and legal in skincare products. There is some known documented health risk such as carcinogen effects. So do your research before purchasing any lightening cream.
Here are side effects associated with Hydroquinone:
Skin irritation.This can range from extreme redness, itching, burning, or peeling of the skin. Continued use will damage the skin and cause it to thin. Make sure that if you do decide to use this product you have a good moisturizer and to cycle off it every few months.
Exposure to UVA/UVB rays. This is another side effect to take into consideration. Hydroquinone works by reducing the amount of melanin your skin produces which is turns makes it easier for the sun to damage your exposed skin. Sunburns can be extreme if the skin is not protected while using this product
Possible Carcinogen. The jury is still out on this fact. There is no 100% clear data in human studies to make this correlation between the product and cancer. But there must be some truth if other countries are banning the substance. I don’t think that it is worth the risk. Remember a time when the FDA stated that smoking cigarettes was safe.
Alternatives. Every major skin care line is looking to make products that lighten the skin that are hydroquinone free. You may be able to find an alternative without the harsh side effects. Some natural products include kojic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and Vitamin C.
At our office Millefiori Aesthetics, in Melbourne FL we use a skincare line called SkinCeuticals. This is a pharmaceutical medical line of products available to the public through a medical office. Their products are backed by science and have the clinical trials to prove it. For example, at Millefiori we sell a product “Advanced Pigment Corrector” that in clinical trial gave results the same as 4% hydroquinone and 0.025% tretinoin. Same results, no side effects sounds like a no brainer to me!
Make sure you call Millefiori Aesthetics at 321-821-4778 to discuss any of your skincare needs or feel free to drop in and see our newly renovated location in historic downtown Melbourne.
We specialize to help you “love the skin you’re in!”