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Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a bleaching agent. Hydroquinone reduces the production of melanin (skin color pigment) and increases its breakdown. Hydroquinone formulations (creams) are available both as over-the-counter and prescription products. Prescription products are higher in strength.
Hydroquinone is mainly used to remove hyper-pigmentation caused by melasma/cholasma, age spots, and acne scars etc. It is well tolerated by most people, but in some cases it may cause allergic and contact dermatitis. Hydroquinone is approved in the USA for bleaching, but not in Europe and some other countries because of concerns regarding fetal development and other reasons.
Article created on: June 19, 2006
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