How long before an IPL treatment should I stop using hydroquinone?

thank you for your question.  IPL treatment treats red vessels, hyperpigmentation and it improves the texture of your skin by producing collagen and elastin. you will pepper after the treatment and the dark spots will appear darker before they flake off. do not be alarmed.  This takes 2-4 days depending on your skin type and the intensity of the treatment.Always consult with a physician to make sure you are a good candidate.

Good afternoon and thank you for your question! We typically have our patients stop using hydroquinone at least three days prior to any intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment. Best of luck! For more information, please feel free to visit our website!

You do not need to stop hydroquinone before IPL, or laser (energy-based) treatments.  However you should make sure that your hydriquinone does not include Retin-A or retinoic acid.  If if does, then you should stop the treatment 2 weeks before IPL or any laser treatment of the area.This same principal applies to other skin lightners such as kojic acid and niacin.

I have been performing IPL for over 20 years and in my experience there is no need to stop hydroquinone before a treatment. It is recommended to stop retin a for 3-4 days prior to any laser. Sometimes some hydroquinone creams also contain retina a, so make sure your cream does not.

I usually recommend patient's stop using hydroquinone 3 days prior to a laser skin treatment.

We recommend our clients to stop using hydroquinone one week or at least 72 hours before treatment. You can continue back on it 7-9 days post treatment. Med Spa Barrington IL 

No need to stop HQ before IPL- just be sure its NOT melsama you are getting treated with IPLMelasma is a very common cause of skin pigmentation. It can not be completely cured, however effective treatment are possible. This is because your skin is extremely sensitive to UV and even the smallest amount can stimulate your pigment cells to produce colour. The mainstay of treatment is strict UV protection- hats, sunglasses and SPF every 4 hours. This forms the foundation of all treatments. 



I prefer to use a combination of creams and laser for melasma. Hydroquinone can be used (5-8%), along with vitamin A creams or Meladerm. I start my patients on laser (low dose Q switch or Picosure) as this has shown to decrease pigment production by decreasing the activity of the cells that produce pigment. Laser itself is not aimed at ‘blasting’ pigment, but to slow down the rate of melanin production. Another laser I use is the Clear and Brilliant in the 1927 Permea setting combined with creams. IPL should never be used to treat mixed melasma as it often worsens the condition (this is termed ‘Rebound Melasma’) 



In some cases I combine glycolic AHA peels, and in other cases I use a tablet called Tranexamic acid to help. Melasma treatments should be tailored to each patient according the type of melasma. Majority of patients will have mixed dermal and epidermal melasma. Approach melasma as a medical condition and not a cosmetic concern, and the success rate will be much higher. 

Consult a Board Certified Laser dermatologist with a special interest in disorders in pigmentation as well as one who has experience in treating all skin types, including darker Ethnic skin. 



All the best, Dr Davin Lim. Laser, surgical and aesthetic dermatologist. Brisbane, Australia. Real Self Advisory Board