Pigmentation reducing creams - the cure worse than the cause
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Beauty.
Pigmentation-Reducing Creams: A Case of the Cure Being Worse Than the Cause
Summary
Therapists must be concerned about recent research linking hydroquinone to cancer. Despite its ban in cosmetics, you might unknowingly be providing products containing hydroquinone to clients. Emerging evidence highlights the long-term dangers of hydroquinone, making it essential for therapists to reassess their approach to managing clients' pigmentation issues.
The Issue with Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone has long been used to reduce pigmentation by targeting melanin-producing cells. This compound can destroy melanocytes and alter the structure of melanosomes, which are the pigment packets transferred to new skin cells.
Since January 2001, hydroquinone has been banned in cosmetics due to potential skin damage, including irritation, unpigmented white areas, or even blackened skin. Although dermatologists sometimes prescribe it, they are increasingly turning to safer alternatives as new safety information becomes available. Recent studies have highlighted hydroquinone's cancer-causing potential.
Continued Risks and Concerns
Despite its ban, hydroquinone creams are still imported from countries where it remains legal, and there's a robust black market in places like the UK. Additionally, products containing arbutin and bearberry are legally sold. Arbutin, the glycopyranoside of hydroquinone, breaks down into hydroquinone in the skin. Bearberry is a natural source of arbutin. Consequently, many are inadvertently using hydroquinone despite its dangers.
The European Economic Community (EEC) has classified hydroquinone as a potential carcinogen but has not yet addressed the use of these substitutes.
Health Implications
Animal studies indicate that hydroquinone can cause blood cancers like leukemia and kidney damage. Once applied to the skin, it enters the bloodstream and is slowly excreted via the kidneys, leading to accumulation in the body. It breaks down in the bone marrow into p-benzoquinone, a process linked to long-term damage.
The Case for Alternatives
Hydroquinone creams are typically used for four to six weeks, with some individuals using them for years to lighten their complexion. However, strong evidence now supports the use of safer, effective alternatives without the associated long-term risks.
This information comes from a recent review by Dr. W Westerhof and T J Kooyers of the Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders and the University of Amsterdam's Department of Dermatology. They are urging authorities to ban all forms of hydroquinone immediately.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Pigmentation reducing creams - the cure worse than the cause.
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