Is hydroquinone cancerous?

FRIDAY, May 27, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Hydroquinone use increases the risk for both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers by more than threefold, according to a study presented at the Society for Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting, held May 18 to 21 in Portland, Oregon.

Does hydroquinone cause cancer?

Hydroquinone, Found in Skin Lightening Agents Worldwide, Linked With Increased Skin Cancer Risk. People who use skin lightening products that contain hydroquinone may be at an increased risk for skin cancers, an analysis of records from a large research database suggests.

What are the dangers of using hydroquinone?

► Exposure can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, dizziness, and muscle twitching. ► Hydroquinone may cause a skin allergy. ► Long term exposure may affect the liver and kidneys.

Does hydroquinone get into bloodstream?

In humans, HQ is carried throughout the body in the blood stream and transported to the bone marrow where it is converted to benzoquinone in the bone marrow. The conversion of hydroquinone to benzoquione is integral in the development of acute myelogenous leukemia (“AML”).

Do dermatologists recommend hydroquinone?

“Hydroquinone is considered the topical gold standard in dermatology for reducing hyperpigmentation.” Dermatologists often use hydroquinone to treat melasma, a skin condition where dark patches appear on the forehead, cheeks and upper lip.

Is hydroquinone safe? Q

Why did the FDA ban hydroquinone?

With continued use, hydroquinone and mercury can build up in your body, which may cause harm. The FDA has received reports of serious side effects from the use of hydroquinone, including rashes, facial swelling, and permanent skin discoloration (ochronosis).

What is the truth about hydroquinone?

Hydroquinone, described by the LGA as "the biological equivalent of paint stripper", can remove the top layer of skin, increasing the risk of skin cancer, and cause fatal liver and kidney damage. Mercury can cause similar life-threatening health problems.

How long can you safely use hydroquinone?

Hydroquinone, a tyrosinase inhibitor, in a 4% cream can be used safely twice daily for up to 6 months to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Does hydroquinone cause melanoma?

FRIDAY, May 27, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Hydroquinone use increases the risk for both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers by more than threefold, according to a study presented at the Society for Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting, held May 18 to 21 in Portland, Oregon.

Is hydroquinone cream banned in Europe?

Hydroquinone. A possible carcinogen, this ingredient is banned in concentrations higher than 1% in the EU. It has most commonly led to photosensitivity, which means your skin is ultra-sensitive to the sun, among other skin conditions.

Should I stop using hydroquinone?

Stop application after five months.

Prolonged regular use of hydroquinone may lead to exogenous ochronosis, which can cause blue-black pigmentation and papules, red bumps on the skin.

Why is hydroquinone controversial?

In addition to its potential side effects, hydroquinone has come under scrutiny due to reports of products containing the ingredient also being laced with mercury, making them extremely poisonous and even life-threatening.

What happens if you use hydroquinone long term?

Long-term effects are a possibility; cancer being the most likely. Renal adenomas and leukaemia occurred in animal experiments indicating the nephrotoxicity and carcinogenic properties of the substance. It is now known how hydroquinone and its metabolites can cause damage to DNA and inhibit apoptosis of mutated cells.

Can whitening cream cause cancer?

“Hydroquinone can remove the top layer of skin, increasing the risk of skin cancer and cause fatal liver and kidney damage,” the LGA found. “Mercury can cause similar life-threatening health problems.”

What works just as good as hydroquinone?

Arbutin. According to Dr. Green, “Arbutin is a natural form of hydroquinone derived from the bearberry plant. It is a safer and effective alternative to hydroquinone and is less cytotoxic to the melanocytes.” Use it gradually during the first few weeks to make sure your skin doesn't react.

Is topical hydroquinone safe?

No significant toxicity has been found with the topical use of the hydroquinone cream.

What is the safest skin lightening product?

There is no safe or reliable way to lighten someone's skin tone. Products or DIY recipes that claim to do so carry numerous risks. Even legal and over-the-counter options, such as hydroquinone creams, can sometimes lead to permanent discoloration.

Does hydroquinone destroy melanocytes?

Hydroquinone is also thought to inhibit pigmentation by depleting glutathione, modifying melanosome formation or reducing DNA and RNA synthesis with concomitant melanosome degradation and melanocyte destruction [10,20,49,50].

Does hydroquinone lighten skin permanently?

Does hydroquinone lighten skin permanently? No, the results of any skin lightening that hydroquinone brings about are not permanent. The effects can be seen within a couple of months or a few years at the maximum.

Does pigmentation come back after stopping hydroquinone?

Hydroquinone-induced inflammation can cause rebound hyperpigmentation and reduced tolerance to hydroquinone itself. Pulsing hydroquinone use can prevent this, but quitting 'cold turkey' can trigger rebound pigmentation as well.

How long should you break from hydroquinone?

Usage Recommendations. Hydroquinone can be used twice daily for up to five months consecutively. After five months, melanocytes should be allowed to stabilize during a two to three month break from hydroquinone.

Is hydroquinone FDA approved?

Currently, a prescription product called Tri-Luma is the only FDA-approved therapy containing hydroquinone. Tri-Luma is approved for short-term treatment of dark spots associated with moderate-to-severe melasma (patchy brown discoloration) of the face.

When did the FDA ban hydroquinone?

On August 29, 2006, the FDA proposed restrictions on products containing the bleaching agent hydroquinone due to reported concerns about possible carcinogenicity and a link to ochronosis.

Is hydroquinone Banned in America?

Is hydroquinone banned in the United States? Yes. Due to rising concerns among the medical community and the publication of research that linked hydroquinone to higher cancer risks in animals, the FDA banned the product for over-the-counter sale in 2020.