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Hydroquinone is a skin-whitening substance that is used in creams, lotions and gels to lighten age spots, freckles, acne scars, and chloasma. The latter is a darkening of the skin resulting from hormonal changes during pregnancy, birth control pills, or liver illnesses.

The agent works by lessening the production and increasing the breakdown of the pigment-producing granules, or melanin, in melanocytes, the cells in the skin that produce pigment. People who want to enhance the skin depigmentation activity of hydroquinone should not stay in the sun, and should wear protective clothing and sunscreen. 

Hydroquinone 4%

Hydroquinone, is a metabolite (breakdown product) of benzene, a known cancer-causing agent.  It is also known as quinol or benzene-1, 4-diol. The substance is characterized as an aromatic organic compound, which is a type of phenol.

Hydroquinone is available over the counter in concentrations of up to 2 percent. Bleaching creams containing hydroquinone are available only by prescription in concentrations of 3 or 4 percent.

Hydroquinone Side Effects

Because of concern over potential hydroquinone dangers, including cancer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recommending further hydroquinone studies under the National Toxicology Program. The FDA made the recommendation after reviewing new animal study data showing that hydroquinone acts as a cancer-causing agent in rats and mice fed the substance.

Mild side effects of Hydroquinone include slight:

• Itching
• Burning
• Redness

More serious side effects occur as severe:

• Burning
• Crusting
• Itching
• Swelling of treated areas
• Ochronosis (a blue-black coloration, and sometimes thickening of the skin seen rarely, and seen mostly in dark skinned peopled using the substance for a long time)

Women who are breast feeding or are pregnant should not use hydroquinone. Some hydroquinone creams contain sodium metabisulphite, a substance that can cause a severe allergic reaction.

Due to controversy over the safety of hydroquinone, it is banned in many parts of Asia and Africa as well as in Europe and Australia.

Contact a Hydroquinone Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you have used a skin product that contains hydroquinone, and have suffered what you believe is a side effect of the product, you may be able to seek compensation for the injuries you incurred by filing a hydroquinone lawsuit. For more information, contact our hydroquinone lawyers today.