Dangers of Hydroquinone

Is hydroquinone safe for bleaching the skin?  The short answer is it isn't.  And studies have determined that while hydroquinone is probably the best ingredient for whitening the skin, it is also very dangerous if used incorrectly.  In fact, almost all countries outside of the United States have banned hydroquinone from use because of the various potential health risks associated with the drug.  As an aside, the FDA is investigating making this skin whitening ingredient available only by prescription.

Because it is banned all over the world and because the demand is still high for this bleaching agent, a large, very profitable black market has emerged making its use even more dangerous because the market is unregulated.

In addition to this, many African Women and other dark skinned women have experienced the reverse effect of hydroquinone, called hyperpigmentation, which in essence makes the skin lighter in some areas and darker in others.  In the past, hydroquinone was used to help fairer complected women lighten areas such as age spots.

There are some natural solutions for lightening the skin out there though. The bad news is that none have proven to have lightened the skin as well as hydroquinone. One of the better ingredients on the market right now is Alpha Arbutin, which is found in, of all places, a weed in Canada. A-Arbutin is effective because it inhibits the production of tyrosinase, an agent that catalyzes melanin (which, in turn tans or darkens our skin). Studies have found that Arbutin (both alpha and beta) are very effective to helping to even out skin tones and even lighten the skin. People using bleaching creams containing Alpha Arbutin have experienced 10 times the results of other natural skin whiteners.

Other natural alternatives to Hydroquinone include extracts such as bearberry extract or licorice extract. Once again, the results aren't as impressive as those that use hydroquinone though.

One of the biggest concerns you should have if you are considering bleaching creams is to remember that your skin is absorbant and anything you put on it, could go into the blood stream.  Because of this, you want to be very vigilant into knowing what you are putting on your body to lighten even smallish concerns, such as age spots.

Natural skin whitening ingredients such as alpha arbutin and natural extracts that use absorbic acid or licorice can have a positive effect on clearer, whiter skin.  And while they may not be as effective, consider this-  liver failure and certain cancers could be associated with repeated use of banned skin whitening ingredients.

Of course, there are some ways to keep white skin that include not to do things that would cause your skin to darken more so....like staying out of direct sunlight...but that is another story altogether.