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Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:39 pm |
Hi, a doctor told me that product with hydroquinone 2% is safe to use. Does anyone else hear otherwise? I'm considering DDF Fade Gel 4 with 2% hydroquinone for bleaching age spots and acne scars. |
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Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:40 pm |
Anyone? Another follow-up question is: is the 2% as effective as the 4%? I don't mind if it takes longer to work if it's safer. I read up on the hydroquinone danger on the internet, and it says no conclusive evidence of the danger on human. |
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Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:12 pm |
Natalyn - there has been a lot of controversy on Hydorquinoine. Try a search on it - you'll find a lot of posts. |
_________________ early 60's, fair skin, combo skin, very few fine lines, vertical lip lines, crows feet & 11's, fighting aging! Using Palancia HF, dermarollers, CPs, Retin A Micro, Safetox, AALS, Clairsonic |
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Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:43 pm |
Don't some over-the-counter products contain 2% hydroquinine while 4% usually requires a prescription? Also, doesn't it matter as to how long one uses it as to the safety factor?
I currently use an Obagi product (Clear) which contains 4% HQ approximately 2-3 times a week as part of the maintenance plan. My doctor is ok with this usage. |
_________________ 50 Is definitely NOT nifty!! |
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Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:31 pm |
foxe wrote: |
Natalyn - there has been a lot of controversy on Hydorquinoine. Try a search on it - you'll find a lot of posts. |
Thanks. I did a search first and did get a lot of returns for posts, but too many to sift through, so I tried search this word for topics, but could not find a specific topic about hydroquinone safety or danger discussion that is not buried under some other topics, so I wanted to start a topic that is directly a discussion on this topic. Hope that's ok. I looked through 2 pages of search results, so if there was already this specific topic after the first 2 pages of search results, then sorry! |
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Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:33 pm |
kims wrote: |
Don't some over-the-counter products contain 2% hydroquinine while 4% usually requires a prescription? Also, doesn't it matter as to how long one uses it as to the safety factor?
I currently use an Obagi product (Clear) which contains 4% HQ approximately 2-3 times a week as part of the maintenance plan. My doctor is ok with this usage. |
That's what I kind of gathered from reading materials on the web. The skincare doctor said 2% is safe, so just wanted to see if anyone else agrees. I need something to stop the production of melanin, and seems hydroquinone is proven quite effective. I don't intend to use it long term. I want to know if I need to go for 4%, instead of just 2% to ensure effectiveness. |
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Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:37 pm |
Natalyn wrote: |
I need something to stop the production of melanin, and seems hydroquinone is proven quite effective. I don't intend to use it long term. I want to know if I need to go for 4%, instead of just 2% to ensure effectiveness. |
I believe HQ is safe. The studies I have read on it that were controversial were using excessively high amounts that normally is not used (way above 4%).
You can try the 2% if your pigmentation is not too bad, but the 4% will be more effective. |
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Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:40 pm |
rileygirl wrote: |
Natalyn wrote: |
I need something to stop the production of melanin, and seems hydroquinone is proven quite effective. I don't intend to use it long term. I want to know if I need to go for 4%, instead of just 2% to ensure effectiveness. |
I believe HQ is safe. The studies I have read on it that were controversial were using excessively high amounts that normally is not used (way above 4%).
You can try the 2% if your pigmentation is not too bad, but the 4% will be more effective. |
Is it true that you need a prescription for 4%? Is obagi the only brand with 4% HQ? |
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Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:53 pm |
Natalyn wrote: |
Is it true that you need a prescription for 4%? Is obagi the only brand with 4% HQ? |
In the US you are supposed to have a Rx for the 4% (you can buy it on line at some places, though a lot of them have removed the 4% HQ products at this time). There are other brands that sell the 4%. Search an on line pharmacy, like All day chemist or medsmex, etc. You probably can find some brands listed. |
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Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:10 pm |
rileygirl wrote: |
Natalyn wrote: |
Is it true that you need a prescription for 4%? Is obagi the only brand with 4% HQ? |
In the US you are supposed to have a Rx for the 4% (you can buy it on line at some places, though a lot of them have removed the 4% HQ products at this time). There are other brands that sell the 4%. Search an on line pharmacy, like All day chemist or medsmex, etc. You probably can find some brands listed. |
Natalyn,
All Day chemist has a product called Mela-lite which has 4% HQ. I've used it in the past and it has quite a strong odor! I didn't think it was as effective as the Obagi Clear.
ETA: Melalite costs $2.00 per 30g tube at ADC.
www.alldaychemist.com You can check out their web site for more info. |
_________________ 50 Is definitely NOT nifty!! |
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cmuir
New Member
Joined: 13 Mar 2010
Posts: 2
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Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:26 pm |
Natalyn wrote: |
rileygirl wrote: |
Natalyn wrote: |
I need something to stop the production of melanin, and seems hydroquinone is proven quite effective. I don't intend to use it long term. I want to know if I need to go for 4%, instead of just 2% to ensure effectiveness. |
I believe HQ is safe. The studies I have read on it that were controversial were using excessively high amounts that normally is not used (way above 4%).
You can try the 2% if your pigmentation is not too bad, but the 4% will be more effective. |
Is it true that you need a prescription for 4%? Is obagi the only brand with 4% HQ? |
[quote] |
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Tue Mar 16, 2010 3:00 pm |
Hey, all, I went to Walgreens at lunch today and found they have a product called Ambi Fade Cream for Normal Skin, which has 2% HQ in it. I bought it since it's only like $5. I'm going to give it a shot for a month to see if it works or not. |
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Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:36 pm |
WalMart sells 3%Hydroquinone in a skin cream called Nadinola.
According to my previous research a while back; over 25 years of lab studies found no direct links between hydroquinone and carcinogens, even in high doses(double digits). There were two reported cases in the 25yr study which were determined to have been from individuals with very poor health who had injected hydroquinone into their abdomens over a long period of time. (Try to google for some of the studies, or visit the American Journal of Medicine site, etc. for case studies on this)..I no longer have the reports.
I have used hydroquinone on and off for about 15yrs with no problems. I've used pure hydroq (liquid form) in as high doses as 12percent prescription...a few years ago..I would not recommend that for anyone I actually got the same results with Nadinola. |
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Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:14 am |
Natalyn wrote: |
Hey, all, I went to Walgreens at lunch today and found they have a product called Ambi Fade Cream for Normal Skin, which has 2% HQ in it. I bought it since it's only like $5. I'm going to give it a shot for a month to see if it works or not. |
Let us know how it works for you! |
_________________ 50 Is definitely NOT nifty!! |
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Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:50 am |
kims wrote: |
Natalyn wrote: |
Hey, all, I went to Walgreens at lunch today and found they have a product called Ambi Fade Cream for Normal Skin, which has 2% HQ in it. I bought it since it's only like $5. I'm going to give it a shot for a month to see if it works or not. |
Let us know how it works for you! |
Sure! The maker of Ambi is Johnson & Johnson, a trusted name. So I feel better already.
I have a quick question about the active ingredients on this product. In addition to 2% HQ, it also has 2% Octinozate for sunscreen, but that's the only sunscreen chemical listed. Can Octinozate work by itself? Is 2% enough for protection? I still apply another sunscreen on top but just wondering about the effectiveness of only Octinozate 2% in case I forgot to apply sunscreen on top. Is this the chemical that deteriorates in the sun? |
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Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:32 pm |
My Derm recommended a 2% HQ cream to me 18 years ago and not only said it was very safe, but that it will work very well if used properly and consistently. Well, I am happy to say he was right! The only caveat I would add is not to expect fast results from the 2% strength. One month of daily use is not long enough to see a great deal of difference, IMO. In my case it took at least 6 months to see any significant changes in my hyperpigmentation.
There are a few OTC products that contain 4% hydroquinone, if you are still interested in trying one. One brand that is very popular in Canada and that my Derm recommends all the time is Neostrata. They make a 4% HQ cream that folks in Canada can buy OTC from the larger Shoppers Drug Mart stores (ask the pharmacist for it), or from some of the pharmacies in Walmart (again, you must ask the pharmacist for it).
For those who wish to order the Neostrata 4% HQ online, this site sells it -www.pharmacymix.com/product.aspx?ProductID=4642&deptid=771&
It also comes in two versions - one with sunscreen and one without. |
_________________ Fair with mild rosascea & combination skin (dry with oily t-zone) |
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Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:18 pm |
And to make you feel even better about HQ (!) there was a study done a while ago that showed .3% Retinol (not a typo) mixed with 4% HQ had anti-aging benefits! |
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Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:19 pm |
Hi Scotslass,
I checked the Neostrata link you provided and was disappointed to see that it cannot be shipped outside of Canada. Bummer! |
_________________ 50 Is definitely NOT nifty!! |
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Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:39 pm |
kims wrote: |
Hi Scotslass,
I checked the Neostrata link you provided and was disappointed to see that it cannot be shipped outside of Canada. Bummer! |
Awwww, that's not fair!!! Sorry about that, Kims. I'll keep my eye open for other sites that will sell Neostrata to US & International customers. I really thought that website I listed would! |
_________________ Fair with mild rosascea & combination skin (dry with oily t-zone) |
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Sat Oct 02, 2010 2:44 am |
yes, it is safe for you but for the very sensitive skin. my akin is a little sinsitive, and used trulima cream which contains 4% and i have red and peel on cheeks for 2 weeks. And then my skin better and better. |
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Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:09 pm |
I use a 4% HQ prescription based cream. (but I like to live on the edge so make your own decision on this one! Lol)
I have used 4% HQ on and off for years and never had any problems. I love Obagi's Clear - what a great product. I don't use it everyday and I use it more or less as a spot treatment, if I get a freckle or dark spot starting that "yuck" - who would want.
The Dr.Oz show just recently did a segment on anti-aging treatments and products and HQ was touted as a "must have" product for women over 50 - Hell I am not near the 50 yr mark yet and I still think it's a must have product! |
_________________ Blonde hair, fair skin normal to dry with oily T-zone, Clarisonic, IFP bha/aha combo, Vivier Kine-C, Lips2kiss system, JB ADCE |
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Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:47 pm |
fairlady wrote: |
I have used 4% HQ on and off for years and never had any problems. I love Obagi's Clear - what a great product. I don't use it everyday and I use it more or less as a spot treatment, if I get a freckle or dark spot starting that "yuck" - who would want.
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I have also used the 4% HQ off and on for years. I personally am comfortable with it but everyone needs to do their research and come up with their own opinion. Clear is one of my all time favorite products. It works fast on my skin. |
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Sun Oct 03, 2010 3:02 am |
I think Vivier has 4% |
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Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:58 pm |
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