Is Hydroquinone Safe and Effective [DermTV.com Epi #273]

[9175fia]

my doctor prescribed me Hydroquinone. I was worried about the side affects after reading all reviews online. But now i feel safe using it...

I do have one question... my doctor also prescribed me RetinA. I know it dries out the skin. Can I use a moisturizer? Can it be an oil moisturizer? How long should i wait to apply a moisturizer after using retinA?

[PEACHFACE24]

I've used a product with 2% hydroquinone on and off for several years and I've never had any issues with it. I don't use it every single day for an extended period of time. Just long enough to fade my old acne scars and then wear sunscreen. For those who are heavy-handed on products and then cry when it's gone wrong, remember too much of a good thing is still too much.

[ESSJ333]

thank you for clearing this up im gunna start using it

[cnorrington]

So yes I think this product needs to come with a little more warning. But at least test this out on your hand for a few weeks before applying it to your face. I regret that I ever tried the product :(

[DebbieOverfelt]

I have used hydroquinone off and on for years. I switched to Obagi several years ago, but it is just too expensive. I am returning to hydroquinone. As with any FDA drug testing, evaluation can be excessive and not relevant to human use. I have centrofacial lentiginoses (excessively dark pigmented areas only on the left side of my face). If I use hydroquinone consistently, it does work and I feel better about myself and have more self confidence.

[cnorrington]

I am a African American male with natural light skin and began using Nadolina containing 2% hydroquinone late October 2011. I applied it nightly to spots on my cheek and forehead to lighten & blend dark spots caused by acne scars. Within 1 to 2 weeks I began to see improvement. I continued use nightly through Nov up to Christmas. However, the day after Christmas I noticed a gradual blueish discoloration on my cheek and forehead and stopped using the product immediately. It looks horrible

[sniped101]

so basically we don't know if it causes cancer but we do know that rats got cancer from by putting too much on them. What is too much? we don't know. but 2-4% over your entire body... is that too much? Not sure but he does say that overusing it and using it over your entire body is pretty bad. how bad? we don't know. Basically it comes downs to this. Would you put something on your entire body that you SHOULD ONLY be putting on dark spots and at 2-4% concentration? I wouldn't.

[FuseZNZ]

@sniped101

Hydroquinone doesn't even work if you put it all over your body. It only works for little scars.. There are rumors about people using it to lighten skin, but personally it didn't do anything when I wanted to get rid of a birthmark. I used like 15% and nothing!

[coulditellyouso]

@FuseZNZ

Lol, you need to do a little more research. 

[FuseZNZ]

@coulditellyouso

Care to elaborate? I know what HQ is and I've worked with it; you haven't said anything except that simple minded statement w/o any facts.

[wineref13]

This is the best explanation I have seen about the safety of hydroquinone! I wasted a lot of money on products that did not work. I HATE melasma! Ogagi was a good line but VERY expensive. Personally I found a product for around $100 called Conffianz that I LOVE and you don't need a Rx for it.

[TheHeadCodezMassacre]

2 to 4% is very weak and don't do anything.. With 10% HQ with powerful penetration enhancers will help you lighten skin much faster and use it less often so I think it's safer.

[MrAceXXIII]

So Hydroquinone can not cause cancer?

[truvelocity]

@MrAceXXIII It is pigment suppression. It is a drug. I'm using it, now. That does not mean I can't do everything I can to prevent cancer. Like safe sun screens on top of the hydroquinone, a sun hat, and take phytochemical supplements to protect me inside and out. Stay away from excess sun, period. Even though this doctor says its safe, I don't trust that it is safe... I am using it, though.

[shaunaboo961]

THANK YOU FOR THIS... I JUST STARTED TO USE THIS TONIGHT

[RayzaBlayz]

.......how long does it take to wear off when applied to your skin?

[Golddot888]

Okay, we can all see Dr. Schultz in court when everyone gets cancer.

[coulditellyouso]

@Golddot888

You're a tool.

[Golddot888]

@coulditellyouso

Fuck you, cunt hole!

[coulditellyouso]

@Golddot888

You wish you could fuck me, dickface.

[Gliese581X]

It's safe but if you use it too long you can have some problems like he said.. It's not as potent as Monobenzone which is like 10 times more effective, but dangerous..

[devinebitch]

i was actually wondering if hydroquinone is and this really helped me out i think i am going to try hydroquinone for my acne scars.thanks dr. you are an amazing dr.

[daneisa]

thanks. very good info!!!

[bonbonyim]

Doc, is it safe to use during pregnancy?

[jokeslayer999999]

I was looking up a heavy metal song when i found this. And now im only wondering are people this weird as to upload something about bleaching your skin...?

[stephanievalderrama]

LOVE all your videos dr schultz, i wish you were my dermatologist, im based here in the philippines. I watched almost every video you made. I dont get any of these explanations from dermatologists. Because of you i've a better understanding of the ingredients of high end and drugstore products i once used and about to put on my skin. Now its clearer what my skin really needs, you've answered in your videos almost all of the questions i've always wondered about. thank you so much!

[KAHALAANGEL]

FABULOUS EXPLANATION !!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH... i APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY VIDEO YOU MAKE. DO YOU HAVE A SKIN CARE LINE THAT YOU SELL IN YOUR PRACTICE?? THAT I CAN BUY? PLEASE LET ME KNOW... THANK YOU AGAIN.... :-)

[phototristan]

I was told if I don't see any results in 2 months to stop using it. is that true? Cause I haven't.

[PEACHFACE24]

I am an African-American who has been using 2 products with this chemical in it off and on for about 3 years. It has really helped my old acne scars. I have had no problems with it and actually need to get back to using it since I have some new ugly acne scars to fade.

[Sasukekillsitachi]

Hydroquinone is safe I am using it myself at strength 3%, just make sure u put a sunblock with it when u go outside.

Kojic acid is an good alternative though.

[starfairy12345]

Dr. Schultz : I am currently on Tri-luma , but i think i made a huge mistake... i used my Clarasonic brush and now im peeling in the areas where im using the tri-luma my skin surounding the dark spots are red and irritaded. i dont know if i should stop the medication and or is there something to aliviate this current condition. i did spoke to a pharmasist and he said not to stop using the medication... but i trust you're knowledge more than his. pl. help

[sonico73]

I have Vitiligo 4% doesn't do it for me what can I do doctor?

[Vincenty90]

I wore sunscreen too btw. :> They're gone now though..but It was so depressing

[Vincenty90]

Um, I love this doctor and all...But I had a really bad reaction to hydroquinone personally. :( It left me with some big blotches that were a bit darker than the rest of my skin on my face....FOR A YEAR. :(

It also gave me a bunch of whiteheads all bunched up....And having a medium skin tone it left marks....If you try it, and see you breaking out oddly or getting whiteheads...Stop using it. It's not worth it. It's only gonna make it worse

[bolojr]

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ABOUT FUCKING KOJIC ACID WHAT THE FUCK I'VE ASKED LIKE 3 TIMES

[abjh74]

@bolojr Kojic Acid is almost like an alternative to Hydroquinone because it is just as affective and it is more "safe", not that Hydroquione isn't. Kojic Acid is natural and it's derived from mushrooms or something. I think. = ]

I'm trying to find a cream with Kojic Acid in it but it's hard to find one !

I live in Canada.

[bolojr]

@abjh74 Thanks so much!My neck and torso are darker than the rest of my body for some weird reason,not to mention the stretch marks :s so an exfoliant like glycolic(maybe a scrub) plus the kojic acid soap should do the trick.

P.s I'm a guy lol :s

[abjh74]

@bolojr LOOL im a guy too :$

[bolojr]

@abjh74 looooooool good sh*t bro

[abjh74]

@bolojr i'm guyanese, = p

[bolojr]

@abjh74 Saint Lucian :)

[coulditellyouso]

@bolojr

Great, now you can be cock buddies.

[Monatee]

I had Post inflammatory Hyperpigmentation of my Upper eyelids after Eyelid surgery. It's been there since 6 months since surgery. Should I consider just covering it up every day (with concealer makeup, I'm a guy) or should I see a dermatologist about Hydroquinone?

[claritarejoice]

@Monatee you should definitely NOT put hydroquinone anywhere around the eyes. Even this pro-hydroquinone doctor says that it can cause a small amount of irritation - you do not want it near your eyes.

[lookn4smitty]

Thank you so much for talking about this chemical! I was looking into using a BB cream or similar products. I was reading online reviews of these products and several reviewers mentioned that this particular ingredient was harmful. They mentioned all kinds of crazy side effects. Again, thank you!!

[abjh74]

Great video !

I've been using creams with hydroquinone for about a year and a half now, on and off, and I've had great results !

I was skeptical at first, I was actually afraid that hydroquinone would literally bleach my skin, thankfully it didn't.

But it defiantly did lighten my skin and spots !

= ]

[nopedamnit]

Is that the same controversy they had with experiments of aspertame causing cancer in rats? They gave the rats like 9 times more aspertame than a human could possibly ingest, then some of the rats developed cancer and everyone flipped out.

[nataljoy]

Can I use Hydroquinone under my eyes to get rid of dark under eye circles?

[nopedamnit]

@nataljoy dark circles are typically bluish looking and have to do with blood vessels and the thickness of the skin, as well as the physical bone structure of your face -- I believe, I could be wrong. They aren't actually caused by excess melanin (sun exposure doesn't make them darker), so Hydroquinone wouldn't help.

[claritarejoice]

@nataljoy Do not put it near your eyes. If you do want to try it, you could spot it on cheeks, forehead, nose, etc, but use something else under the eyes and on eyelids and elsewhere near your eyes. Hydroquinone is an irritant.

[katia1319]

My dermatologist is trying to put me on Accutane for my acne treatment. I was wondering what are your thoughts about the safety and controversity of this medication?

[initword1]

@katia1319 he has a video on acne look it up

[nopedamnit]

@katia1319 He addresses accutane in one of his videos. If I remember correctly, he favors the treatment for severe acne patients and doesn't believe it is likely to cause depression or thoughts of suicide, but that potential birth defects should be taken seriously and precaution should be used. He points out in the video that a month after treatment is finished, the potential for birth defects is gone.

[mamonassassina]

Dr. Schultz is it ok to use a cream (esters of d'AHA; Glicolic acid 1% and vitamin C) and a cream after of 2% hidroquinone? Like 10minutes one after another at night?

[bolojr]

Can anyone please tell me about their experiences with kojic acid when used to fade scars and tone down hyperpigmentation?Thanks

[chinkahbell]

Thank you for putting the pandemonium to rest! I have personally been using 4% hydroquinone for some time now and it has worked wonders for me.

[iluvenisp]

Is there a way to remove a darkening of the skin which is not cause by a bruise or a mole? I went to a dermathologist but she told me I should just wait (but I already have this for month!).

Thank you,

[53keira]

Will it help dark skin under the arms or around the neck?

[liltikidogcaw]

@53keira yes, it will. If you have any more questions message me

[bananas507]

It's weird to me that this guy acts as if he has been a lab researcher on all these things. Most MDs don't agree with him still.

[MoGeLy92]

This is a great video.... I quit using my Hyroquinone cuz I heard it could cause skin cancer and other problems and I was ACTUALLY scared to use it, so this is a comforting video for me cuz it's coming from ANOTHER dermatologist. I needed a second opinion :-) Thanks doc!

[Oedipus58921]

Is it okay if I use it with Retin-A?

[liltikidogcaw]

@Oedipus58921 yes you can use it with retin a

[kim103live]

i always learn someting from his video

[cupcaaakeLOVE]

I love your videos! You seem to answer every question I have about skincare. Thank you so much for posting these helpful and informative videos!

[PomMomLisa]

Dr Shultz...if you have any information on Telomere technology, could you please address it?

[RiceARonia]

So is this useful for stretch marks too?

[frezerd]

Ok Doctor thanks for the info but i have a question.. Do you apply Hydroquinone on the spot or all over the face and do we rub the cream on the Spot/Face or do we apply and just leave it visible?

[LadyRene100]

i luv ya vids man

[LadyTigerLily]

Excellent video!

[calberkeley01]

i would rather be safe than sorry! There are other, safer options out there

[HJGUSBUSAG]

How comes hydroquinone is BANNED in the UK then??

[muddle100]

@HJGUSBUSAG For all of the reasons he said... basically if someone misuses it over here, they'll blame the doctor they got it from.

[lovemuffin10101]

@HJGUSBUSAG its banned over the counter you can still get a prescription for it in the UK

[malika585]

@HJGUSBUSAG Because in America drugs and drug companies are not scrutinized as much as they are in other developed countries.

[floobertydoo]

I love your Dr. Schultz!! Will you please be my dad, pretty please?!

[Joyceline]

Thanks doc!

[doyoureallythinkso]

Very informative. Thank you Dr. :)

[tbatt247]

You're good, Doc. I was just looking into hydroquinone yesterday. Thanks!

[Mushman15]

I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS DOCTOR ISNT GETTIN HIGHER VIEWS, HES A DOCTOR (CERTIFIED) AND OTHER PEOPLE LIKE MICHELLE PHAN AND THE FOWLER SISTERS GET MILLIONS OF VIEWS ARE THEY ARE COMPLETELY CLUELESS ABOUT SKIN

[SelenityLuz]

@Mushman15 Agree!! The are great girls, but he is a REAL professional!

[LadyProtector]

@Mushman15 I couldn´t agree more!!!

[schaapjesoveral]

@Mushman15 I agree! Dr. Schultz, you have a fan in Holland!

[Fancylooks]

@Mushman15 I agree, but I see this happens with so many good channels that, unfortunatelly, it is a usual thing in YouTube. It just shows what most of the people are really interested in.

[kurfffa]

@Mushman15 hahaa i totally agree. i cant believe this too.

[TheAlphaWires]

@Mushman15 Certified Doctors w/30yrs experience > Beauty gossip

[commuty]

every time I put on hyroguinone it irritates and burns the heck out of my skin . I dont have bad reaction to anything else I use. I think it maybe due to spf

[Knoxlette]

Thanks very much for this! I've been using 4% hydroquinone since October and have seen wonderful results. This puts my mind at ease. 

[JLuvsMakeup]

Will hydroquinone help darkeness frm Latisse around the eyes?

[2mariebl]

Thanks doctor

[bolojr]

Can you pleaseeeeeeee tell me the same about kojic acid?

[jazdj04]

Thanks for this because as a black female.... hyperpigmentation is so disappointing for me. The after effects of acne..... wow. smh. I am currently using 2% hydrouninone for the spots.

[magui5]

thank u so much doctor

[magui5]

thank u so mucho doctor

[LisaLisaD1]

This was a great video--I use the Obagi NuDerm and I get questions about this all the time--I will send them here to you--you explained it perfectly!! Thank you! :)) Lisa

[LovePeaceandLipGloss]

Yay ! Good to know, thank you sexy! xxG

[LisaLisaD1]

@LovePeaceandLipGloss LOL! I was just getting ready to send this to you!! :))

[LovePeaceandLipGloss]

@LisaLisaD1 I thought of you too! I didnt have time to send it to you, you are on it girl! Lol! xx

[thatsitable1]

Very interesting! Thanks so much doc!!

[nothing28967]

Really informative video! But what do you mean by excess pigmentation?

[commuty]

@nothing28967 excess pigmentation are so called brown spots or unevenness, which is an excess of melanin due to irregular melanocytes. He is saying that hydroquinone regulates the production of melanin and glycolics or any type of exfoliation gets rid of existing pigment.

[Mahigak]

@nothing28967 Excess pigmentation is when you get the dark spots after a pimple. spots turn darker than the rest of your face so excess pigment causes the dark spots. hope that helps.