…South Africa resulted after long-term daily use, sometimes spanning for decades. Taylor referred to hydroquinone as “the gold standard for treating pigmentation disorders.”
Medical authorities, including Dr, Taylor, do not dispute that ochronosis has been found in the US, but those cases are considered rare.
A Personal Decision
As long as products are legally available in the US, whether you use hydroquinone and how you do so will be a personal decision. It is, however, one that you may want to consider making with the help of a dermatologist. That way, if you do decide to use hydroquinone, you will will have a professional to help you monitor any adverse effects to your skin. A medical consultation is especially important if you have liver or kidney disease or you use medicated skincare products, such as those containing benzoyl peroxide.
Hydroquinone users should also be aware of the fact that, since this product increases sensitivity to the sun, direct sunlight should be avoided and sunblock should be used. Also, depending on the type of products and the concentration of hydroquinone, you may experience mild side effects such as dryness, itching, and stinging. Long-term continual use is not recommended.
Lastly, in order to avoid skin irritation, remember to discard hydroquinone, or any other skin care product, if it becomes discolored, or turns shades of yellow or brown.