Has any one tried hydroquinon + retinoic acid cream? Is it safe for long term use for brightening and to smoothen the skin?
Re: HQRA cream?
As far as I know…HQ is NOT safe for long term use.
Re: HQRA cream?
Reha is correct. HQ is not safe for long term use. And even while using it short-term, you must be very diligent about using a GOOD sunscreen.
And Retin-A/Retinoid/Retinol etc…these should NOT be used if you’re a woman who’s TTC, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
HQRA cream?
I used tazorac (similar to retin A) with 4% hydroquinone by obagi (it’s called obagi blender, it’s designed to be user with retinoids). I did a 3-4 month rigorous regime as I wanted to get rid of the hyper pigmentation left over by my acne, it did a great job! But you have to be careful and u will peel, use sunscreen everyday even on cloudy days
Now i am worried,
My dermatologist prescribed skin lightening cream by Dermalogica (contains hydoquinon 2%+lactobionic acid) . used it for 3-4 months to even out skin tone.
Now, ive asked for something better for brightening and hqra cream was suggested.
If i apply it for 3 months and quit , will the skin revert back to its original condition or do i have to use it permenantly giving breaks in between?
Re: HQRA cream?
^ The lightening/brightening effect will go away if it’s not maintained. Of course, since you’re actually seeing a dermatologist, you may want to ask him/her if he/she thinks it’s safe for you to use HQ for such a long time. Especially since you’re using it for purely cosmetic reasons. Personally, I would be scared to use HQ for more than 3-4 months (but then again I live in a area known for sun/heat). Using Retin A is fine.
With HQ its usually recommended that you give the skin a break. For example, use it for 2-3 months…then take a break from it for several months (let’s say 7-8)…and the use it again for 2-3 months…and repeat cycle.
If you want to keep the skin tone even and keep up the brightening effect, you may want to try doing weekly 40% lactic acid peels. Oh and creams containing Kojib Acid is another another option you should definitely look into. Kojic Acid is a safer alternative to HQ.
Re: HQRA cream?
Paheli, thanks a lot for replying! Yes, the dermatologist has given hq cream initially and now prescribed hqra cream. As for kojic acid, used it too but Had no results . I’ve had lasers for rosacea as well. Skin being super sensitive, I am skeptical about peels as they might cause/aggrevate redness again. Is lactic acid peel safe for such skin?
any tips for curing redness on face, esp cheeks and chin?
Re: HQRA cream?
Also is retin A safe for using on flushed areas of skin?
thanks.
Re: HQRA cream?
Shopping Fan: Lactic Acid is very gentle and I have seen people mention in other forums that they have super sensitive skin and used it. That being said…again, since you’re already seeing a derm…I would recommend you ask him what he thinks about you doing LA peels. However, you wrote that the Dermalogica creams you used contained lactobionic acid…which sounds its a derivative of lactic acid…so I don’t think you’d have an issue with LA peels.
I don’t have an issue with a lot of redness on my face so unfortunately, I can’t really recommend anything for that.
I’m not sure what you means by flushed.. ? Like red? If so then again, I don’t have any experience with it.
How long did you use the Kojib acid for and what %?
Re: HQRA cream?
Yes, by flushed I mean redness on skin. Doc prescribed kojic acid cream(Meladerm plus, local brand, kojic acid di palmitate 6%) for uneven skin tone esp around mouth, chin, used it for 3 months but it didn’t seem to work. HQ on the other hand did even out my skin tone .so now I wanted to move a step forward and hence HQRA cream. But now listening to you all, I am worried about its long term use(as I really intended to use it all my life, lol).
Re: HQRA cream?
^ LOL…ummm…no…you shouldn’t even think about using HQ continuously for the rest of your life. 
Not sure what % was the Kojic Acid cream you used, but the brand I’ve used is Cape Fear Naturals 4% KA cream. I used this on my back (I had bad hyperpigmentation from acne) & was happy with the results. Yes it takes longer to work but it’s safer than HQ. Oh and Retin A will also help keep the skin even.
I think you should really consider the Lactic Acid peel (40%). IF your skin gets irritated by it within a few minutes…take it off. The redness/irritation will go away in a few days. HOWEVER, if your skin handles it well, then you can use this long term to maintain the brightness.
Re: HQRA cream?
Paheli, you are a gem! Thanks for answering my queries.
Ill definitely ask about lactic acid peels on my next appt with derm.
One last request, can u please direct me to lactic acid peels thread, want to know all about it. Also, can it be done at home?
Re: HQRA cream?
^ Thank you!
If you do searches for “chemical peel” and/or “lactic peel” on this forum…you’ll see quite a few threads with tons of info. And yes, as long as you take the time to learn about the peels and take the necessary precautions, they can be done at home.