Can you get hydroquinone over the counter (OTC)?
Do you want to know if hydroquinone, a popular skin lightening ingredient, is available over the counter (OTC)? Keep reading to find out how you can get it.
Table of Content:
What is hydroquinone? | Can you get it OTC? | Where to buy it? | How to get a prescription? | What brand should I buy? | How long can I safely use it for? | What is it used for? | Side-effects | Who should not use it? | Precautions
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You probably have read about hydroquinone cream since it is one of the best treatments for melasma and an excellent ingredient used for all types of hyperpigmentation. But, can you get hydroquinone over the counter (OTC) or does it require a prescription?
In this article, we will explore the availability of hydroquinone, including whether or not it can be purchased without a prescription, and where and how you can get it.
Also, we will explain the importance of undergoing treatment under medical supervision due to the need to determine the cause of hyperpigmentation, and provide medical advice on whether or not hydroquinone treatment is feasible.
What is hydroquinone?
Dr. Carolina Fernandez, board-certified dermatologist, says that hydroquinone is a skin-lightening ingredient often used to treat age spots, freckles, melasma, and other skin discolorations which can occur due to multiple factors such as sun damage, inflammation, or skin injuries, including those related to acne vulgaris1.
Is it possible to get hydroquinone over the counter (OTC)?
Dr. Fernandez says it is not possible to buy hydroquinone over the counter in most countries, you need a doctor’s prescription to get it.
Prior to 2020, it was possible to buy hydroquinone over the counter (OTC), but in 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a rule to ban the over-the-counter sales of products containing hydroquinone due to some health risks associated with its long-term use2.
How to get hydroquinone?
You can request a hydroquinone prescription by scheduling a virtual consultation with an online dermatologist, who can diagnose your hyperpigmentation, provide treatment guidelines, and follow up with you. The virtual consultation starts at only $59 and as low as $30 for any follow-up consultations.
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How long can I safely use hydroquinone cream?
Hydroquinone is applied topically to the areas of hyperpigmented skin, twice a day for a duration of three-to-four months. If no improvement is observed after four months of treatment, the use of the hydroquinone cream should be suspended3 4 .
Can you buy hydroquinone online?
Yes, after getting a prescription you can then buy your hydroquinone at a local pharmacy or order a compounded formula that is mixed with other ingredients (like tretinoin) via Skin Medicinals.
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What is hydroquinone used for?
Hydroquinone is primarily used for its skin-lightening properties, and it can be beneficial in addressing several skin conditions related to hyperpigmentation.
Melasma
Hydroquinone is effective in treating melasma, a condition characterized by dark, irregular patches on the face, often triggered by hormonal changes and sun exposure.
Age spots and sun spots
Hydroquinone can also help lighten age spots (also called sun spots or liver spots) which are darkened areas of the skin caused by aging and sun exposure .
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Hydroquinone can be used to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is darkening of the skin following an inflammatory injury, such as acne or a wound.
Evening skin tone
By reducing the appearance of discoloration and dark spots, hydroquinone can help even out skin tone and improve overall skin complexion.
Freckles
Hydroquinone can lighten freckles, which are small, brown spots on the skin often caused by sun exposure and genetics and do not require any medical treatment.
It is important to emphasize that a dermatologist or healthcare provider should diagnose the dark spots on the skin to determine if they are benign in nature. Cosmetic spots can be easily treated, but if there is a melanotic component that could be malignant, it is crucial to make the diagnosis. This is why it is important to consult with a dermatologist before starting any depigmenting treatment.
Side effects of hydroquinone
- Drying, peeling, itching, or burning of the skin
- Redness, irritation, rashes
- Darkening of normal skin color
- Blistering, crusting, or flaking of the skin
- Pinhead-sized red blisters
- Lightening of normal skin color
- Scaling around the mouth
- Severe redness, soreness, or scaling of the skin
- Thinning of the skin with easy bruising6
Hydroquinone should only be used under medical supervision since its long-term use is not recommended due to some serious potential side effects, such as the risk of ochronosis, a condition in which the skin becomes blue or gray.
Who should not use hydroquinone?
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it is not clear whether topical hydroquinone is absorbed systemically and could affect the fetus
- Children under 12 years old
- Individuals with a history of ochronosis, active skin conditions, or open wounds
- Individuals with sun sensitivity
- Individuals with known allergies to hydroquinone
- Individuals with certain pre-existing skin conditions
Precautions when using hydroquinone
Use extreme caution with pediatric patients
The safety of the use of hydroquinone in children under 12 years of age has not been established. Pediatric patients should follow strict medical supervision7.
Avoid prolonged use
Long-term use of hydroquinone, especially at high concentrations, should be avoided due to the risk of nephrotoxicity (toxic effects on the kidneys).8 However, it is important to note that this effect is rare and is usually associated with prolonged and excessive use of hydroquinone at inappropriately high concentrations.
Avoid direct sun exposure
Avoiding direct sun exposure is crucial. Individuals using hydroquinone should protect their skin by applying sunscreen with a high SPF daily and should also consider using physical measures to shield themselves from the sun, as sunlight can exacerbate pigmentation and increase the risk of sunburn in treated areas.
Hydroquinone and tretinoin
It is important to note that hydroquinone and tretinoin are strong ingredients that go well together, but can you use them at the same time? We consulted with Dr. Alpana Mohta to clarify if it’s okay to use them together and to highlight the benefits of combining these powerful ingredients. Read our guide and see how using hydroquinone and tretinoin together can help fight pigmentation effectively.
How to use hydroquinone
Read our guide on how to use hydroquinone.
Key article points
- Hydroquinone Use and Availability: Hydroquinone is a popular skin-lightening ingredient used to treat conditions like melasma and hyperpigmentation, but it now requires a prescription due to FDA regulations and potential health risks.
- Prescription Requirement: Since 2020, hydroquinone cannot be purchased over the counter and must be prescribed by a doctor, typically after a virtual consultation with a dermatologist.
- Importance of Medical Supervision: Hydroquinone should be used under medical supervision to ensure the correct diagnosis of hyperpigmentation and to avoid potential side effects, such as ochronosis or skin irritation.
- Treatment Duration: Hydroquinone is generally applied to affected areas twice a day for three to four months maximum; if no improvement is seen after this period, its use should be discontinued.
- Precautions and Side Effects: Users should avoid prolonged use, protect their skin from sun exposure, and be aware of potential side effects, including redness, irritation, and the risk of skin darkening or thinning.
Do you need a prescription for hydroquinone?
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References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539693/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15129564
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/hydroquinone
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/hydroquinone
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19764-hydroquinone-skin-cream-gel-emulsion-lotion-or-solution
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