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

onyx54Sep 17, 2012

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.

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Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
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Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
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Answered on Sep 30, 2018
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Dr. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD
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Dr. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
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Answered on Nov 15, 2012
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