Monobenzone Before and After: Results, Reviews, and Effectiveness of Benoquin Cream

Monobenzone is an effective depigmenting agent used to treat vitiligo, a skin disorder characterized by depigmentation. It is a very potent and effective medicine, but there are some side effects. Careful use of monobenzone is necessary to get the maximum benefit from this medicine.

This article provides an insight into the use of monobenzone, how it works and what are its side effects. Pictures of before and after monobenzone cream are also provided to more clearly show Benoquin results.

What is Monobenzone Cream?

Monobenzone cream (Benoquin cream) is a depigmenting (used to remove pigment from the skin) agent. It is mainly used for the treatment of vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin condition characterized by depigmentation which looks like white skin patches without color that can appear anywhere on the body. It is usually not concerning if only a small portion of the skin is affected and if the affected area remains covered by clothes most of the time (like the chest and thighs).

But vitiligo can be devastating if the face is affected as it can affect self-confidence and quality of life. In such cases, the treatment maybe require.

How Does Monobenzone Cream Work?

Monobenzone cream or Benoquin cream is a chemical compound similar to hydroquinone. Its function is also very similar to hydroquinone but there are some differences. When applied to the affected area, monobenzone is absorbed into the skin. Here it enters the skin cells and inhibits the enzyme tyrokinase in melanocytes. Tyrosinase enzyme is responsible for the production of melanin in the cells. Melanin is the main compound responsible for skin colour. More melanin in the skin cells causes a person to have a dark skin colour. Similarly low levels of melanin in the skin cells cause people to have a lighter skin color.

The difference between monobenzone and hydroquinone is that monobenzone’s effect on the skin is permanent. After using it for a long time, it destroys the melanocytes. Hydroquinone does not destroy the melanocytes, so its effects are not permanent.

What are the uses of Benoquin Cream (Monobenzone Cream?)

The main use of monobenzone cream is for the treatment of vitiligo. But it can also be used off-brand for other purposes.

1. Treatment of Vitiligo: The main FDA-approved use of monobenzone is for treating vitiligo. The purpose of using monobenzone in vitiligo is not to lighten the depigmented areas. It does the opposite. Monobenzone is used for the depigmentation of the remaining pigmented or normal skin. This leads to uniform skin colour and improves the appearance. Benoquin results are promising when used consistently. However, it is not used as a first-line treatment of vitiligo. Vitiligo patients are first treated with topical steroids and ruxolitinib. It is used only in cases of extensive vitiligo when the aim is to achieve a uniform skin colour.
2. Cosmetic depigmentation: Monobenzone causes depigmentation of the skin making the skin tone lighter. For this reason, monobenzone is sometimes used for cosmetic depigmentation to get a lighter skin tone. However, use of monobenzone for this purpose is highly controversial as it is an off-label use and can lead to serious side effects including vitiligo.
3. Melanoma therapy: Melanoma is a type of cancer which requires immunotherapy. Developing vitiligo during the immunotherapy is a positive sign. So, monobenzone can be used to purposefully induce vitiligo in melanoma patients.

Side Effects of Monobenzone (Benoquin Cream)

Benoquin cream (monobenzone) is a very effective medicine, but it also has some side effects. For the optimal use of Benoquin cream, you should be aware of these side effects.

1. Skin irritation: Skin irritation is the most common side effect of monobenzone cream. It can cause itching, redness, burning sensation and dryness of the skin. Although these symptoms are mild most of the times, they can become severe in some people. Using a moisturizer can help relieve these symptoms.
2. Hyperpigmentation of the surrounding skin: With monobenzone use, the depigmented areas become lighter. Skin responds to this by producing more melanin in the untreated skin areas. This leads to an uneven skin appearance.
3. Sun Sensitivity: One function of melanin is to give colour to the skin. But melanin also protects the skin from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun. Loss of melanin due to monobenzone use makes the treated skin extremely sensitive to sunlight. Patients are advised to avoid exposing their skin to direct sunlight and use high-SPF sunscreen to protect the skin from severe sunburns.
4. Contact dermatitis: It is an allergic reaction of the skin to monobenzone. It causes blisters, swelling and itching on the skin. If contact dermatitis occurs with the use of monobenzone, you should discontinue its use and consider alternative treatment.
5. Permanent depigmentation in other areas: Unwanted depigmentation of skin areas that were not treated with monobenzone is a side effect of monobenzone use. Studies have found that monobenzone causes an auto-immune reaction in the skin that destroys the remaining melanocytes. This causes depigmentation of skin areas that were not treated with monobenzone. This effect is also permanent. This is the reason monobenzone is only used in extensive vitiligo and the patients are informed about its side effects.
6. Psychological impact: Skin colour and appearance is a part of a person’s identity and personality. Adapting to permanent depigmentation and new skin colour can be difficult and have a huge psychological impact. Emotional support from care providers, friends and family is very important in this matter.

Monobenzone Before and After Pictures

Vitiligo is a common skin disorder that affects around 2% of the world’s population. Monobenzone is an effective medicine used to treat extensive vitiligo. Clinical studies have shown that Benoquin cream results are quite promising. Here are a few pictures revealing before and after monobenzone cream use:

1. Monobenzone before and after in a case study: These are the Benoquin cream results of a case study of extensive vitiligo successfully treated with Benoquin cream.

1. Monobenzone cream before and after in a clinical trial: Here are pictures of monobenzone before and after from a clinical trial. Vitiligo patients were treated with monobenzone 20% cream for 5 months and the results were noted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Monobenzone Cream

What are the results before and after using monobenzone cream?

Results are quite prominent after using monobenzone cream. After using it for 5 months, the skin will have a uniform colour and appearance.

How effective is Benoquin cream for skin depigmentation?

Benoquin cream is a very potent skin depigmenting agent. Studies show that Benoquin cream is highly effective for skin depigmentation leading to destruction of all melanocytes – the cells that produce skin pigment.

Are there any before and after pictures of monobenzone or Benoquin cream users?

Yes. Before and after pictures of monobenzone or Benoquin cream users are available on okdermo.com.

How long does it take to see results with monobenzone or Benoquin cream?

With Benoquin cream 20 % applied three times a day, results will be visible within 6 to 12 months.

References:

1. El Mofty, Medhat; Mostafa, Wedad Z.; Esmat, Samia; Samir, Nesrin; El-Samanoudy, Solwan I.; El-Mesidy, Marwa S.; Saadi, Dina G.; El Sayed, Hagar; Ibrahim, Sarah. Monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone 20 and 40% cream in depigmentation of patients with vitiligo: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the Egyptian Women’s Dermatologic Society 17(3):p 130-137, Sep–Dec 2020. | DOI: 10.4103/JEWD.JEWD_32_20. https://journals.lww.com/jewds/toc/2020/17030
2. van den Boorn, J.G., Melief, C.J. and Luiten, R.M. (2011), Monobenzone-induced depigmentation: from enzymatic blockade to autoimmunity. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, 24: 673-679. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-148X.2011.00878.x
3. ong, Jingwen, Tingting Zhong, Zhijian Xu, Haiyi Chen, Xianjun Wang, Lili Yang, Zhiyuan Lou, Yuanling Xu, Tingjun Hou, Rongzhen Xu, and et al. 2022. “Identification of Monobenzone as a Novel Potential Anti-Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Agent That Inhibits RNR and Suppresses Tumour Growth in Mouse Xenograft Model” Cancers14, no. 19: 4710. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14194710
4. Rordam, O. M., Lenouvel, E. W., & Maalo, M. (2012). Successful treatment of extensive vitiligo with monobenzone. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 5(12), 36–39. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3533321/
5. Eleftheriadou V, Atkar R, Batchelor J, et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of people with vitiligo 2021. Br J Dermatol. 2022 Jan. 186 (1):18-29. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.20596

Post by:

 Dr.Marcella Jiovanni

Health and Beauty Expert

“Marcella Jiovanni actively promotes the importance of maintaining healthy skin, she envisions the future of dermatology as moving away from pure medical, pharmacological dermatology and flowing more toward a holistic approach to wellness and skincare.”