Melasma Treatment: Q&A

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Tretinoin and Hydroquinone Safety

How many percent of Tretinoin and Hydroquinone is safe for facial skin? Are there any harmful side effects for these chemicals? I am thinking about using them for melasma treatment.

2 Doctor Answers | Asked by Christina Liman in Indonesia
+6

Both Hydroquinone and Tretinoin are safe. You can do Hydroquinone 4-8% and Tretinoin 0.1%.

Thank you for your question. There recently had been a lot of buzz regarding the safety of hydroquinone and its potential carcinogenic risk, however, this potential association has not materialized or been proven, and has not stopped physicians from using this bleaching chemical. It is safe, and nearly all dermatologists use it. You can get hydroquinone in the standard 4% cream from your pharmacy via prescription, or even have it compounded into an 8-10% cream. Just be careful not to... more
+5

Tretinoin and Hydroquinone Safety

Tretinoin cream increases sun sensitivity so if you are going to use it, you need to be consistent about daily applications of a broad spectrum sunscreen. For someone who has never used hydroquinone before, I would start with 0.025% or 0.05%. Mix a pea-sized amount of medication with moisturizer and apply as you would a lotion to the entire face. Diluting the medication in this way will reduce your chance of developing redness and inflammation that might then create more brown pigmentation.... more

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

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