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.