When is hydroquinone treatment recommended for hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation describes skin that appears darker because it contains more pigment than nearby skin. It can follow acne, eczema, injury, hair removal, or sun exposure, and some medicines or skin disorders can also contribute. Treating the visible colour without addressing ongoing inflammation may lead to repeated darkening.

Hydroquinone acts on pigment production in the treated area. A clinician may choose it for a defined patch rather than unexplained, widespread, changing, or inflamed skin. It should not be applied to cuts, active rashes, or infected areas.

Follow the prescribed instructions for amount, timing, and review. Apply only to the intended spots and wash your hands afterwards. Protect exposed skin from sunlight with shade, clothing, and a suitable sunscreen, because ultraviolet exposure can deepen pigment and make progress harder to judge.

Avoid adding scrubs, peels, retinoids, or other lightening products unless your clinician approves the combination. Stop the product and seek advice for intense burning, swelling, blistering, persistent redness, or new blue-black or patchy discolouration. Improvement may require patience while the original trigger is controlled.

Have new, rapidly changing, bleeding, painful, crusted, or very different dark marks examined rather than treating them at home. Seek advice when pigment appears across broad areas, follows a new medicine, or comes with a persistent rash. Review is also needed if treatment causes worsening colour or irritation.

Ask what caused the hyperpigmentation, whether the mark needs examination before lightening treatment, which areas to treat, and how to protect nearby normal skin. Confirm the review date and which reactions mean you should stop.