Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

Could alpha arbutin be used in lieu of hydroquinone as an effective skin lightening method?

onyx54
I've read on this site that HQ 4% is still the most proven method for lightening along with some form of Retin A. Could alpha arbutin be used in lieu of HQ? Also, I seem to recall getting white (tiny) spots on my skin when I used HQ. Many African Americans that I know who use HQ experience this problem - is there anything to combat this spotting? The spots have disappeared since I stopped using HQ. TIA.

Answers (2)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS profile photo
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.6 | 124 Reviews
Answer
1 person found this helpful
Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD profile photo
Dr. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
4.7 | 40 Reviews
Answer

More Skin Lightening Questions

See all Skin Lightening Q&A