Brown Patches, Age Spots and Hydroquinone

Why do I have brown patches and spots on my face?

This is caused by overstimulated and irregular pigment production, known as hyperpigmentation. Some contributing factors are sun exposure, heat, injury, hormone fluctuations, and pregnancy.

How can I improve this condition?

There are medical grade skin care products  and treatments effective in improving and controlling this chronic condition.

What are effective products?

Hydroquinone (HQ) is a results-oriented product that helps suppress pigment production. This pigment begins deep in the basal layer of your skin. It is recommended that you use HQ for no more than five months

What are the concerns of using HQ for more than 5 months?

Long-term use of HQ alone can become ineffective in treating hyperpigmentation. Some studies have shown that a rare condition called exogenous ochronosis was linked with prolonged hydroquinone use longer than 6 months. This can cause the skin to present with brown-grey or blue-black hyperpigmentation and is very difficult to treat.

Should you immediately stop HQ if you’ve been using it for more than 5 months?

It is NOT recommended to stop HQ use abruptly, but to gradually wean off of it as you replace it with a medical grade NON-HQ product such as Zein Obagi MD’s (ZO) Brightenex, Brightalive, or for a more mild condition, C-Bright maybe the best choice for you. The danger in discontinuing HQ without weaning off and replacing it with an alternative pigment regulator could result in rebound hyper-pigmentation which means you may develop more unwanted pigment as the suppression of HQ has been removed.

Where can I go to have someone help me get on the right skin care regimen for my specific concerns?

At Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery, you will find 6 very cari ng and qualified Medical Aestheticians who can use medical-grade products and treatments to improve skin conditions such as aging, hyperpigmentation, and acne. You can also utilize our Nurse Practitioners for laser treatments such as the Halo  and BBL , which can also help fight hyperpigmentation. Here at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery, you have a team of experts at your fingertips!

Call today to schedule your complimentary consultation at 904-664-1552.