Can I use Obagi hydroquinone 4% in conjunction with tri-luma?

Dark spots on the skin are caused by sun UV exposure, hormonal load, birth control pills, and genetics. If you’re thinking about dark spot correction or melasma correction, you would be best advised to start with creams that control the production of melanin before starting lasers or chemical peels. I recommend Melarase creams first for pigment correction, followed by a protocol of lasers, chemical peels, exfoliation, IPL, and pulsed dye laser.

 

Recommended Creams: Melarase Brightening Kit

MelaClenz
Melapads
Melarase AM
Melarase PM
Replenish Retinoid Cream
 

Best, 

Dr. Karamanoukian

Realself100 Surgeon

Hello there,Both Triluma and Obagi Blender contain hydroquinone 4%. There is no need to double up on the dose. In fact, exposing hydroquinone to sunlight (daytime) can be detrimental. Hydroquinone decreases the melanin content in your skin, which lowers your skin's natural protection against UV damage. I recommend using hydroquinone only at night, and as recommended by your dermatologist. Otherwise, hydroquinone is an excellent treatment for melasma and can be used safely for several weeks to several months (no more than 4-6) at a time to achieve your optimal aesthetic outcome.

Tri-Luma contains HQ as well, so you are doubling up on the HQ- not a good idea. With Melasma, patience is the key- if you use too much product it maybe counter productive as skin irritation can occur. The more HQ , the higher the dose, the more frequent the application, the higher the chances of skin irritation. I would stick with the Tri-Luma. Keep the HQ and Obagi in the fridge, and would advise the use of gentle Glycolic peels as tolerated every 2-3 weeks. RegardsDr Davin Lim Laser DermatologistPS- I forgot to mention stay out of the sun and SPF50+ at least twice a day. Never see the sun with out a hat. 

Tri-Luma contains Hydroquinone, a steroid and Retin-A. Using Hydroquinone in the morning also is actually a good idea. The part that is not a good idea is trying to treat melasma on your own or out of books or off the internet. Had you been seeing someone, you would know that treatment of melasma takes many months and that you should be seeing only the first reactions of the body to the reagents at a week. This reaction always looks worse than the original. In my opinion, the absolute best treatment for melasma is the whole Obagi Nu-Derm system. This uses hydroquinone 3 ways to attack the pigment at three levels in the skin. It does take 10-18 weeks to really see results and, sometimes, requires a peel at the end of that time. See a physician with significant experience with use of the Obagi system and treatment of melasma and other skin conditions. If they try to put you on less than the whole system without a good reason. see someone else.