HYDROQUINONE: STILL THE GOLD STANDARD FOR SKIN LIGHTENING?

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Over the past several years, hydroquinone has become a controversial skin-care ingredient for topical use. For over 50 years, hydroquinone has been established as the most effective ingredient for reducing and potentially eliminating brown skin discolorations often referred to as melasma, liver spots and café au lait spots. Hydroquinone 4 cream  is a strong inhibitor of melanin production.  

Hydroquinone prevents skin from making the enzyme responsible for triggering melanin, the chief pigment that gives skin its color. Its effectiveness is based on the concentration of hydroquinone in the product. Over-the-counter products can contain 0.5% to 2% concentrations. At the pharmacy, 4% concentrations of hydroquinone (and sometimes even higher) are available by prescription only. A concentration of 12% hydroquinone actually prevents the production of melanin altogether.  

Over the past several years, information about negative side effects from using hydroquinone products has been released. Yet a closer look at the research indicates problematic skin reactions are rare and, more often than not, minor. The negative research has been questioned because it doesn’t match how people actually use the product.  

Questions concerning hydroquinone, in terms of it being a carcinogen, have also been addressed in research. Problematic incidences have occurred when hydroquinone was fed or injected into rats in large doses, though when administered topically there has been no research showing it to be mutagenic on humans or animals. What should be noted is that there is abundant research showing hydroquinone to be safe and extremely effective. To show how there are two sides to every story, there is also research illustrating that workers who handle pure hydroquinone actually have lower incidences of cancer than the population as a whole.  

What is abundantly clear is that hydroquinone is a well-researched ingredient, incredibly effective for its intended purpose, and that no other skin lightening ingredient compares to its effectiveness.  

That being said, some companies, such as Procter & Gamble (P&G, owner of brands such as Olay and DDF) are working hard to come up with skin lightening ingredients that rival the effectiveness of hydroquinone. In the future, patients may have more choices when it comes to skin lightening.

All about tretinoin: the facts your skin wants you to know

Tretinoin may not be all that easy to pronounce, but its users find it very easy to love. Also known as all-trans retinoic acid, tretinoin is part of the retinoid family—a class of synthetic and naturally occurring Vitamin A compounds and derivatives. Compared to its cosmetic relatives such as retinol, retinaldehyde and retinyl esters, tretinoin is the most potent. For Important Safety Information about tretinoin, please see below.

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Tretinoin was originally developed as an acne treatment in the 1960s. But while researchers were studying its powers to resolve breakouts, they noticed that patients who used it were getting an unexpected bonus: an improvement in the appearance of photoaged skin.

This prompted scientists to set up new, well-controlled clinical trials. Users in these trials experienced improvements in wrinkling, pigmentation and roughness—as well as in the overall severity of photoaging.

How does Tretinoin work?

The exact mechanism of action of tretinoin is not known, however researchers believe tretinoin encourages rapid epidermal turnover—so skin releases dead cells faster than it otherwise would, and reveals a fresh, glowing complexion. At the same time, it boosts production of skin’s vital collagen and remodels elastin, which break down with natural aging and photoaging.

Under the microscope, researchers have seen tretinoin produce significant changes in epidermal and dermal skin cells and tissues. Out in the real world, users see an improvement in their acne, and with the tretinoins approved for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and roughness, users see an improvement in these signs of photaging.

Tretinoin takes skin care to a new level

Available by prescription only, tretinoin can have significant results when used on its own, and it can add a boost to any skin care routine. Ask your skin care professional about the potential advantages of tretinoin for you as an addition to your skin care regimen.

 


Important Safety Information

While using tretinoin, you should:

  • minimize exposure to the sun and to extreme cold or wind. Avoid sunlamps, tanning beds and ultraviolet light.
  • use a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing and wide-brimmed hat
  • stop using tretinoin if you get a sunburn
  • avoid washing your skin too often, scrubbing the affected skin, or using other products with a drying effect, including other products containing tretinoin, unless recommended by your healthcare provider

Before using tretinoin, tell your healthcare provider if you:

  • are allergic to fish (gel only). Contact your healthcare provider if you develop itching or rash while using tretinoin gel- buy tretinoin gel 0.1 online
  • have a skin condition called eczema
  • have a sunburn
  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant or to breastfeed

Tretinoin Concentrations and Side Effects

Like with most medications, the stronger concentrations of tretinoin cream tend to have the most significant results.

In a 1991 study, researchers found that .05% tretinoin cream produced a larger improvement in wrinkling, hyperpigmentation, skin laxity and thickness when compared to weaker .01% tretinoin creams and a non-therapeutic placebo.

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Other studies also have similar findings -- that higher concentrations of tretinoin tend to produce more noticeable improvements in skin quality than lower-strength tretinoin creams. In short, the more tretinoin a cream contains, the more likely it is to improve skin clarity and quality.

However, this doesn’t always mean that a strong concentration of tretinoin is the best option for you. Creams with a higher concentration of tretinoin tend to be more effective at treating acne and preventing aging, but they’re also more likely to produce side effects.

For example, one 1995 study found that while .1% and .025% tretinoin cream produced similar results in overall improvement in photoaging of the face, the stronger concentration of tretinoin had “statistically significantly greater” side effects, including redness and skin peeling.

In short, creams and gels with a higher concentration of tretinoin are associated with a greater level of skin improvement, but also have a higher risk of causing skin irritation, redness, peeling and other common and uncommon side effects.

Which Concentration of Tretinoin Cream is Best?
Because everyone’s skin is different, there’s no “best” concentration of tretinoin cream. Most people that use tretinoin, whether for acne prevention or in an anti-aging cream, use a variety of different concentrations over the years before selecting a cream that best suits their skin.

In the US, most doctors start by prescribing patients .005% (low strength) tretinoin cream, which provides an optimal combination of effectiveness and tolerable side effects for most patients. If this cream isn’t effective, your doctor might recommend switching to a stronger tretinoin cream.

If side effects such as skin irritation, redness or peeling occur, your doctor might recommend switching to a lower strength tretinoin cream, using the cream every less frequently or using alcohol-free moisturizer in combination with the tretinoin cream.

Finally, it’s important to remember that tretinoin often causes the most significant side effects during the first two to six weeks of use, meaning you may experience some temporary side effects even at the correct concentration and dosage.

Learn More About Tretinoin
Are you considering Buy tretinoin gel online as an acne treatment? Our complete guide to using tretinoin for acne covers every aspect of treating acne with tretinoin, from applying the cream properly to maximizing your results over the long term.

Readmore Which Concentration of Tretinoin Cream is Best for Acne?

 

Which Concentration of Tretinoin Cream is Best for Acne?

Tretinoin cream comes in a variety of concentrations, ranging from mild .005% cream to stronger creams that contain as much as .1% tretinoin. Like many other skincare medications, the type of tretinoin cream you choose to treat acne can have an effect on your results and potential side effects.

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In this guide, we’ll list all of the different concentrations of tretinoin cream that are available for purchase in the United States and explain which concentration of tretinoin cream is the optimal choice for treating and preventing acne.

What Tretinoin Cream Concentrations Are Available?
Tretinoin cream is available in several strengths. In the US, the strongest tretinoin cream on the market contains .1% tretinoin, or one unit of tretinoin per 100 units. The weakest cream contains .005% tretinoin, or approximately 5% as much tretinoin as the strongest .1% cream.

You can also purchase .025% and .05% strength tretinoin creams, although not all brands offer tretinoin cream in these concentrations.

All tretinoin products are available on prescription only in the United States, meaning you’ll need to talk to your doctor before being able to Buy tretinoin gel online
in any concentration.