What should you know about hidroquinona melasma?

Melasma causes flat brown, grey-brown, or tan patches, often on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, or jaw. Hydroquinone is a topical pigment-lightening medicine that slows melanin production in treated skin. It can be part of a plan for Melasma, but dark patches may return when the skin is exposed to sunlight or visible light, or when hormonal triggers continue. It is not a general moisturiser and should not be applied casually to every uneven patch without confirming the diagnosis.

Apply only the prescribed amount to the intended areas and follow the schedule given by your clinician. Use gentle cleanser and moisturiser, and protect exposed skin with broad-spectrum sunscreen, shade, and a hat. Burning, marked redness, swelling, blistering, or worsening discoloration means you should pause and request advice. A clinician may choose Skin Brightening Treatment, Chemical Peel, Microneedling, or Laser Toning when topical care alone is not enough; these options can also irritate pigment-prone skin if poorly timed or selected.

Seek a dermatology assessment for a new, changing, raised, bleeding, or one-sided dark patch rather than assuming it is melasma. Arrange review if treatment causes persistent irritation, blue-black darkening, or pigment spreading beyond the application area. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, eczema, sensitive skin, and use of other active products can change what is appropriate, so share these details before starting or combining treatments.

Is this Melasma or another cause of Dark Patches On Skin? How should I apply hydroquinone, and for how long? Which cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen should accompany it? What should I stop if irritation appears, and what maintenance plan will help limit recurrence?