Hydroquinone

Worried about pigmentation concerns such as melasma, age spots, and acne marks? Hydroquinone in Singapore is worth considering! Hydroquinone is a chemical ingredient that can reduce pigmentation and is found to be helpful in treating melasma, freckles, and age spots.

What is hydroquinone?

Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent that brightens skin pigmentation or darkened skin. This ingredient targets hyperpigmentation at the deeper layers (cellular level) and comes in different dosages or concentrations.

Skincare products with at least 3 to 4% hydroquinone are considered an effective and prescriptive dosage. This means you will need a prescription from a doctor or skin care specialist before you can buy and use hydroquinone at this dosage.

How does hydroquinone work?

Hydroquinone works by blocking the production of tyrosinase, an enzyme in charge of melanin, or decreasing the number of melanocyte cells. Melanocytes are the cells that make melanin, which is the pigment that causes pigmentation. An overproduction of melanin can cause dark spots to appear on the skin.

Continued use of hydroquinone bleaches the skin by reducing melanin production, resulting in lighter skin with reduced pigmentation. Higher or prescription doses are more aggressive in blocking the production of pigment than lower doses (2%).

Is hydroquinone safe?

The US FDA confirmed that hydroquinone can only be safely sold over the counter (OTC) at lower doses (2% at most). In Singapore, the HSA (Health Sciences Authority) prohibits the usage of hydroquinone in skin care cosmetic products as it falls under dermatological medication/drugs. It is, however, approved for medical use. This only means that you need a prescription from a doctor before using it.

Hydroquinone is safe and effective when it’s properly used, when it’s suitable for the person’s concerns, and when it’s used under a doctor’s supervision. This is why is advisable to consult with a doctor first to determine if this product is suitable for your skin.

It is worth noting that this ingredient is generally well-tolerated by most patients and works best on fair skin tones. Those with dry or sensitive skin, however, may find that it causes more dryness or irritation, but is likely to improve as the skin adjusts to hydroquinone. Those with oily skin have a lower risk of experiencing said side effects.

What skin conditions can hydroquinone treat?

Hydroquinone can be used on hyperpigmentation and skin discoloration concerns such as:

• Melasma
• Solar lentigines (sun spots or age spots)
• Freckles
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) or dark skin patches after an injury or skin inflammation
• Becker’s Nevus, a non-cancerous birthmark that occurs mostly in males

How can we help?

Cutis Medical Laser Clinics offers skin care products that include prescription- strength hydroquinone for treating different types of hyperpigmentation. Formulated with a prescription strength of 4% hydroquinone, these can lighten the skin and dark spots.

It is also good to know that prescription hydroquinone is not your only option for treating melasma and hyperpigmentation. Browse through our website to learn more about your options or contact us to schedule a consultation.

Your individualized treatment plan, depending on various factors such as your acceptable social downtime, your expected time frame, and your budget, will be explained in detail during your consultation with our aesthetic doctor.