White skin without pigment spots and freckles is a standard of beauty and aristocracy. Since olden times, women tried in every possible way to lighten the skin, used yogurt, cucumbers, various decoctions, did not go out without a sun umbrella, which allowed to maintain the result. These times have passed, and in order to get rid of freckles and age spots, girls use various creams, in the compositions of which dangerous substances are very common.
Hydroquinone in cosmetics
This substance has long been famous for its whitening properties. The use of hydroquinone cream for women has been satisfying for over thirty years, as it is able to whiten the skin and rid it of pigmentation.
Recently, in the scientific world, a large number of disputes and disagreements have arisen about whether hydroquinone can be used in cosmetics. Many considered it toxic, hazardous to health. In the UK and the European Union, the substance was banned, and creams, which include hydroquinone.
However, in some countries the dangerous ingredient is still used, and in Russian stores you can easily find the whitening preparations that contain it.
How does it affect the skin?
The use of cream with hydroquinone from age spots has become very popular, since this substance can significantly whiten the skin. How does this happen? The thing is that hydroquinone blocks the production of melanin in the skin, and pigmentation simply cannot occur. But creams with the described substance cannot remove the existing pigments. Those disappear themselves after melanin ceases to be produced.
Using a cream with hydroquinone helps women with dark skin who want to lighten it in a couple of shades! This substance can be found not only in creams, but also in paints, hair sprays, nail polishes, lotions and many other products that women use daily.
Indications and contraindications
The constant use of hydroquinone cream allows women to get rid of freckles, age spots, lentigo, chloasma and melasma spots. Its action was tested by many people who could not overcome problems by other means.
Do not use hydroquinone in people who have a predisposition to leukemia, skin cancer, since the substance can provoke the appearance of these diseases.
Also, creams and other products that contain this substance should not be used by pregnant women and nursing mothers. Such cosmetics are dangerous for people with allergic reactions, individual intolerance to the ingredient.
Using a cream with hydroquinone is not possible with damaged, irritated skin. You should wait until the wounds heal.
How to recognize hydroquinone?
If you are afraid that you might get products that contain the substance in question, then carefully study the labels before buying. In most cases, manufacturers do not indicate hydroquinone as such, but mix it with other means: tocopherol linoleate with 12.1% content and tocopherol acetate 24.9%.
Hydroquinone products have a very pungent, unpleasant odor. Many manufacturers use a lot of fragrances and fragrances to hide the use of this substance. Do not buy any smelling smells.
What is dangerous substance?
Creams with hydroquinone may initially please you, but the effect will not last long if you use them constantly. In most cases, women using these drugs face hyperpigmentation. That is, they wanted to lighten the skin, but got a bigger problem than it was. There were cases when girls, using creams with hydroquinone, received spotted instead of beautiful light skin. Black or bluish ankles and elbows stood out especially against the general background.
This is due to the fact that skin lacking melanin is simply defenseless against ultraviolet rays. This can lead to such a serious disease as skin cancer.
Hydroquinone under the influence of direct sunlight can turn into a dangerous toxin, so it can not be used in the daytime. This substance is harmful to skin cells. Studies have shown that when absorbed into the cells, the cream begins to acquire a carcinogenic effect, which contributes to skin mutation.
Hydroquinone negatively affects the cornea of the eyes, so you should avoid the slightest hit on the mucous membrane.
What diseases can occur?
Hydroquinone can cause dermatitis, psoriasis and other diseases on the skin. But this is not the only nuisance that may appear if creams with hydroquinone are used constantly. We list the possible consequences:
- light, radiant skin, which can be obtained thanks to hydroquinone, will eventually become withered, ugly;
- the substance can cause intense sweating;
- the skin under the influence of hydroquinone becomes thin and vulnerable, even small wounds and cuts will last longer on it;
- the skin begins to age faster, loses elasticity.
Before buying a cream with hydroquinone from stains, think about the possible consequences. If you still decide to purchase such funds, then remember: in no case should you use them for a long time! When applying a cream with hydroquinone, be sure to apply a powerful sunscreen to the skin.
Myth or reality?
Disputes by scientists about the dangers of the substance do not subside. Many believe that hydroquinone is absolutely safe, since it is added to cosmetics minimally, and studies have been carried out with a large volume. With short-term use, these drugs will not cause harm, but with prolonged use, they can, since hydroquinone penetrates into the blood vessels and accumulates in the body. If used constantly, it can accumulate in dangerous quantities. This is not a myth, this is scientific research!
Alternative substances
If you still have not stopped dreaming about lighter skin, getting rid of freckles, then change creams with hydroquinone to safer products. Get products that contain vitamin C, azelaic acid, or arbutin. Such substances also perfectly whiten the skin, but in comparison with hydroquinone are absolutely safe. Of course, it will take more time to get the desired result, but you can avoid many problems regarding beauty and health.
Get vitamins A and E in the pharmacy, add to the cream that you use daily. They will help not only lighten the skin, but also give it a healthy, beautiful look.
Mulberry, cranberry and bearberry contain natural arbutin, which helps to reduce the production of melanin, but does not completely block it. Make masks based on these products and after a while notice that there are no freckles and age spots!
An excellent whitening properties endowed with ordinary cucumber. Rub it, apply it to the skin. It will not only lighten, but also moisturize, fill with freshness and vitamins.
Cream with hydroquinone from age spots: reviews
Many women were satisfied with the action of the cream, which contains the described substance. They write that there are no problems, although they have been using it for quite some time.
There are records where girls complain that they were able to get rid of freckles with the help of such a cream, but after stopping the use of freckles again quickly appeared, and whitening hydroquinone creams had to be bought again.
Most women are still afraid to use dangerous cosmetics, and prefer folk remedies. They say that they are not fast, but still cope with pigmentation in a quality manner.