4-OHA is a skin depigmenting agent with moderate efficacy and may be used for the treatment of hyperpigmentary disorders such as melasma and freckles. This agent decreases the number of melanin producing cells in the skin and can whiten the skin to a considerable degree. However, one should be aware of possible side effects such…
The addition of 0.01% tretinoin to 4-OHA is shown by several studies to significantly enhance the skin depigmenting effect of 4-OHA. This combination is a very potent skin depigmenting formula and is used for the treatment of liver spots (senile lentigo). Liver spots are usually very resistant to depigmenting agents and are very hard to…
Arbutin is a hydroquinone derivative found in the bearberry extract. This agent was long believed to act as a depigmenting agent. However, there are no human or even animal studies that confirm the efficacy of arbutin as a skin whitener. In addition, recent in vitro studies have cast doubt on its efficacy as a depigmenting…
AZA is a dicarboxylic acid synthesized by the fungus Malassezia fur fur. Cutaneous infection with this fungus causes a significant and long lasting depigmentation in the affected areas, which is believed to be induced by AZA. AZA is an inhibitor of the enzyme tyrosinase, the key melanogenic enzyme in melanocytes. When applied to the skin…
Hydroquinone (HQ) is the most widely used skin depigmenting agent. This agent has a moderate skin depigmenting effect and acts by reducing the number of melanin synthesizing cells in the epidermis. Formulations containing up to 2% HQ are allowed by FDA to be used for skin whitening in normal individuals. These formulations can be purchased…
This product is known as Benoquin. Benoquin is a very potent skin whitener and may cause complete and permanent skin depigmentation. Benoquin must never be used on normal skin to produce a white complexion nor is it allowed to be utilized for the treatment of hyperpigmentary disorders as melasma, freckles, liver spots… The sole indication…
This product is believed to be more potent than the ordinary benoquin ointment. Monobenzone 40% is not manufactured by any companies and is solely formulated by the pharmacies upon the physician’s request. Monobenzone 40% has the same side effects as benoquin (monobenzone 20%, see above) and must not be used by those who do not…
Recently, some oral medications are claimed to induce skin depigmentation. Such medications include glutathione or arbutin containing pills. Glutathione is known to inhibit melanin synthesis in the test tube, but data confirming its efficacy as a skin whitener in human are lacking in medical journals. On the other hand, the safety of the long-term use…
Mercury salts are hazardous agents which have been used for the purpose of skin whitening for a long time. Mercury salts can be absorbed into the blood stream after topical application on the skin and may cause serious damages to several organs as kidneys. You are strongly advised to avoid any products (creams, soaps…) that…
Jimbow K, Quevedo WC Jr, Prota G, Fitzpatrick TB: Biology of melanocytes; in Freedberg IM, Eisen AZ, Wolff K, Austen KF, Goldsmith LA, Katz SI, Fitzpathrick TB (eds): Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1999, pp 192-219. d’Ischia, M., A. Napolitano, et al. (1991). Peroxidase as an alternative to tyrosinase in the oxidative…