Chemicals that are popular among Asian and African women as the most effective skin lightening is getting to be talking when the questionable safety. There are studies showing evidence that hydroquinone trigger cancer, if used in a long time.In America, in August 2006, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) banned all cosmetic products containing hydroquinone. FDA to set individual drug products containing hydroquinone are considered, and can only be purchased with a prescription. In Indonesia, the ban would take effect in 2008.
What is Hydroquinone?
Hydroquinone is a reducing agent a substance that dissolves easily in water and commonly used in the washing process of printing photos. Carbolic similar chemical molecules, Hydroquinone works on the melanocyte cell system by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme activity (become active due to sunlight, hormonal, illness, medications, allergies, and irritation), which triggers the formation of melanin (skin pigment causes the skin look darker, hyperpigmentation, or brown stain) melanosom by destroying (part of the melanocytes, save the melanin pigments). In fact, did you know that melanin serves as a protective skin from ultraviolet rays so that we avoid skin cancer?
Hydroquinone remarkable ability to inhibit the formation of melanin make it a popular ingredient in cosmetics as a skin-lightening products. The dermatologist thought that the most effective hydroquinone (when used with a concentration of 4% -10%) to brighten the skin, and initially the only safe skin lightening approved by the FDA for 25 years. Many experts still oppose banning hydroquinone dermatologist because they thought when used with appropriate dose, hydroquinone is safe and effective to overcome the problem of skin pigmentation.
Q & A crucial
Question:
Hydroquinone can cause infertility?
Answer:
Further research is needed, because there is no evidence linking hydroquinone with infertility. However, hydroquinone is prohibited to use pregnant women because the first 3 months of pregnancy is a time for the formation of all vital organs of a human being, such as brain, heart, lungs, and so forth. We recommend using a skin-lightening products that contain natural ingredients, such as sugar cane acid containing AHAs, licorice, and vitamin C.
Question:
Hydroquinone causes cancer?
Answer:
If used continuously for long periods, whitening creams containing these chemicals are absorbed into the blood. Thus, hydroquinone can be classified as hard drugs that can only be used under a doctor's prescription. The danger is the use of hard drugs without medical supervision is to cause skin irritation, skin redness and burning. Furthermore, research has shown that the use of hydroquinone with a high concentration can cause mutagenic effects (change in the cell becomes malignant cells) that trigger cancer.
Question:
Hydroquinone can cause okronosis, even in the use of below 2%?
Answer:
Research shows that hydroquinone can cause okronosis, ie mottled skin like brown sand and blue. Sufferers will feel a burning and itchy skin. However, research is done on the user above 2% hydroquinone. Therefore, hydroquinone should not be used in a long time, and if you use more than 2%, should be under medical supervision. Excessive Use of hydroquinone could cause okronosis on dark-skinned people, such as Asians and African skin.
Alternatives to Hydroquinone
Any chemical substance, though only applied to the skin, when used in the long term would be toxic, because 30% -60% absorbed by the body. Thus, many studies have attempted to develop natural ingredients. In addition to safer, these materials also have the functions to increase cell regeneration and anti-aging skin. Here are some alternative natural ingredients are:
1. Mulberry (fruit extract contains a natural hydroquinone).
Its function: Inhibiting action of the enzyme tyrosinase, reduce oxidation, anti-inflammatory, increases skin cell regeneration, and works as a skin toning.
2. Licorice (liquorice extract). Working 16 times more powerful than hydroquinone when used with a concentration of 10%, Working inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase, lowered the absorption of UVA and UVB rays, reducing the irritation to the skin, anti-inflammatory.
3. Arbutin. Is a natural hydroquinone which works effectively when used with a concentration of 5%. Functions inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase.
4. Aloe vera (Aloe vera extract). Useful as an antibacterial, cooling the skin, astringent, enhance immunity, humidity, and skin regeneration, also reduced inflammation.
5. Soya (soy bean extract). Potential antioxidant, reduce DNA damage and skin aging due to UV, reduce the spread of melanin, increasing the formation of collagen and skin thickness.
6. Lavender. Stimulate the formation of new skin cells, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, antistress, and rejuvenator.
7. Green tea, inhibiting the action of the enzyme tyrosinase, antioxidant, repairing and protecting skin structure, increasing skin thickness.
8. Turmeric. Serve to protect the damage to DNA, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant.
