I just purchased hydroquinone 4%. I just purchased HQ 4% and I am wondering how to apply it in the right way.

HQ is usually applied to entire face am and pm as tolerated. When using a Retin A with your HQ it is always suggested to blend equal parts in pm. Skin may feel dry and tight, this is a great time to apply a hydrator to help. Always remember when using a HQ you must be extremely careful in the sun and apply a SPF of 30 or more. HQ should only be used for a period of 5 months then ask your professional skin care provider to direct you to a good Vitamin C for maintenance. Hope this is helpful and here is to a brighter new you!

Thank you for your question, Melasma needs a combination approach to get the best improvement and will need a series of treatments. In our practice, we combine Clear + brilliant, peels, microneedling(/RF)/PRP, aerolase, and sometimes erbium laser (coollaser) to get the best results. See an expert for a formal evaluation. Best, Dr. Emer

Thank you for your question.  I would suggest doing a fractional treatment for melasma.  Apply hydroquinone morning and evening two weeks prior to your treatment.  The fractional treatment would help to suppress the discoloration and improve texture of your skin along with shrinking your pores.  

Dark pigmentation on the skin can be due to melasma, age spots, and sun damage. Melasma is a specific hormonally-influenced skin condition in which pigmentation is deposited by overactive pigment cells in your skin.

In our office, we individualize treatments for melasma and skin discoloration based on skin type, skin complexion, hormonal influences, and ethnicity.

Treatments for melasma begin with Melarase creams as follows:

MelaClenz
Melarase AM
Melarase PM
Melapads
Replenish Retinoid Cream
Additional therapies include fractional laser, fractional RF, Covalent peels, and LED microneedling with Replenish serum. The video demonstrates the clear and brilliant laser that is used alongside Melarase creams.

Best, 

Dr. Karamanoukian

Realself100 Surgeon

HQ alone will probably not be enough. Picosure is much more effective than any other treatment for Melasma. Plan at least 3 sessions, each spaced a month apart. You should stop the Retin A and HQ 3 days before your laser session.david berman md

Always under the guidance by a dermatologist. Use as directed. 3 to 6 nights a week, to dark areas only. Reduce or mix with bland emollient if redness, flaky skin, sting, irritation, etc... then once settled incorporate retinoids into your regime. I have done many YouTube videos to assist patients titrate their dosing. Melasma 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.

I prefer to use a combination of creams and laser for melasma. Hydroquinone can be used (5-8%), along with vitamin A creams. I usually start my patients on laser (low dose Q switch or Picosure) a few weeks after they commence on creams. Another laser I use is the Clear and Brilliant in the Permea setting combined with creams.

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.

All the best, Dr Davin Lim. Laser, surgical and aesthetic dermatologist. Brisbane, Australia