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Hydroquinone After Laser Hair Removal?

I'm Arabic with fair skin and black hair just finished my first full body gentleLase hair removal session & my doctor prescribed me hydroquinone 2% to use for duration of 2 days after laser currently I have no pigmentation & I'm concerned about safety of hydroquinone and its need where no pigmentation is present Is it nessecary to use it ?

Doctor Answers 3

Hydroquinone

October 15th, 2013
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Hydroquinone is effective at decreasing excess melanin production. With laser hair removal the hair is heated, leading to destruction of the follicle. In the process, the heat can cause the surrounding pigment cells to increase pigment output. The hydroquinone is meant to decrease the potential for skin darkening. Short term use should not have an effect on normal surrounding skin.

Todd C. Becker, MD, PhD
October 15th, 2013

Hydroquinone

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Hydroquinone is effective at decreasing excess melanin production. With laser hair removal the hair is heated, leading to destruction of the follicle. In the process, the heat can cause the surrounding pigment cells to increase pigment output. The hydroquinone is meant to decrease the potential for skin darkening. Short term use should not have an effect on normal surrounding skin.

Todd C. Becker, MD, PhD

Hydroquinone and laser hair treatment

June 9th, 2013
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Hydroquinones are frequently prescribed to type 3 or 4 skin type sometimes before and at times after laser hair removal.  It is considered safe to use.  If you are very concerned you should ask your treating physician if it is entirely necessary in your case.  Please let me know how your treatments work out.

Web reference: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/gentlelase-laser-hair-removal

Michele S. Green, MD
June 9th, 2013

Hydroquinone and laser hair treatment

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Hydroquinones are frequently prescribed to type 3 or 4 skin type sometimes before and at times after laser hair removal.  It is considered safe to use.  If you are very concerned you should ask your treating physician if it is entirely necessary in your case.  Please let me know how your treatments work out.

Learn more: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/gentlelase-laser-hair-removal

Michele S. Green, MD

Hydroquinone free lightening creams

February 8th, 2015
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Skin brightening is sometimes needed with laser treatments. If you do not want to use Hydroquinone, the Melarase AM cream provides similar effect without the hydroquinone. 

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Los Angeles

Web reference: http://www.kareplasticsurgery.com/face/facelift/

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
February 8th, 2015

Hydroquinone free lightening creams

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Skin brightening is sometimes needed with laser treatments. If you do not want to use Hydroquinone, the Melarase AM cream provides similar effect without the hydroquinone. 

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Los Angeles

Learn more: http://www.kareplasticsurgery.com/face/facelift/

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS

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.