Description
What is hydroquinone 2% Melalite 15® cream
Melalite 15® Cream is manufactured by a reputable Abbott Labs and supplied in a large 30g tube. Topical Melalite 15 is a moderate Hydroquinone 2 percent skin cream, it is used to eliminate dark spots and patches on the skin and is intended to treat hyperpigmentation, melasma, age spots, freckles, and similar skin pigment issues. FDA – approved product and it includes strong sunscreens to protect skin from harmful UV sun rays during skin-lightening application procedures. Melalite 15 cream should always be used in accordance with the instructions of your dermatologist.
Melalite 15® Hydroquinone 2% anti-hyperpigmentation cream is a middle strength skin-bleaching agent that is used to lighten areas of darkened skin such as freckles, chloasma also known as melasma, age spots, hyperpigmented areas of sunburned skin, acne scars, and other related skin discolorations. Skin lightening with hydroquinone 2% component can cause permanent skin damage if not used as advised by a dermatologist. Although this cosmetic ingredient is effective at treating darkened areas of skin resulting from blemishes, wounds, aging or hormone therapy, its side effects outweigh its benefits – when it comes to long-term use. Knowing more about how hydroquinone 2% works help to protect your skin and achieve great results.
Melalite 15® Hydroquinone 2% cream is used to lighten the skin that has become dark due to melasma (skin darkening due to sunlight exposure), underarm and bikini dark spots, freckles (dark spots on cheeks, nose, arms, and upper shoulders) and solar lentigines (‘age spots’ – brown or black spots on face, hands, shoulders and arms due to exposure to sunlight). Melalite 15® hydroquinone 2 percent cream is also used to bleach underarm skin areas. The underarm skin may become darker than surrounding skin for reasons as simple as excessive sweating or friction from shaving with a dull blade. It may also be related to more persistent medical issues like hyperpigmentation or acanthosis nigricans, a skin condition resulting from excess insulin.
Hydroquinone two percent is an organic compound that is a derivative of benzene. It is widely available in the form of creams, gels, lotions or soaps and marketed for lightening or whitening skin. Hydroquinone 2 lightens skin by killing melanocytes is the cells that carry melanin or pigment in your skin and blocking the production of melanin.
In 1982, the FDA approved regulation stating that hydroquinone is generally recognized as safe and effective, also known as GRASE. The agency also proposed that skin care products contain a maximum of 2 percent hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is absorbed through the skin when applied topically. It breaks down mostly into sulfate and glucuronide conjugates that are eliminated from the body in urine. While hydroquinone may initially lighten pigment, used in high quantities and prolonged period of time it darkens and disfigures skin causing a condition called exogenous ochronosis. In some cases, hydroquinone may lead to contact vitiligo, which means user completely lose pigment in areas of your skin. By reducing or eliminating pigment in the skin, hydroquinone increases your sensitivity to the sun and to various forms of skin damage.
Avoid using skin bleaching or lightening products that contain hydroquinone unless advised by your dermatologist for your particular skin condition such as melasma. Never exceed the prescribed dose. Because hydroquinone inhibits melanin production, avoid the sun as much as possible. Apply a sunscreen when you are going outside to protect your skin from sun damage. Also, strictly not recommended to apply a hydroquinone cream all over your skin to try to whiten it.
Key ingredients of Melalite® 15 cream
Hydroquinone 2.0% – bleaches the skin by reducing the accumulation of skin pigment called melanin that causes darkening of the skin. It interferes with the synthesis of melanin and hampers important processes within cells that produce melanin (melanocytes). The bleaching effect of hydroquinone is reversible (reversible depigmentation) with sun exposure. So it should be used within a total sun avoidance program.
Oxybenzone 2.5% – Oxybenzone primarily functions as a photostabilizer and sunscreen. Among the vast selection of sunscreen active ingredients, Oxybenzone is classified as a “chemical” sunscreen agent. Inadequate when used alone, Oxybenzone absorbs UVB and short UVA rays. It also helps preserve the integrity of other cosmetic ingredients, preventing their deterioration under the sun. For this reason, Oxybenzone is most often used in conjunction with other sunscreen agents like Octinoxate in Melalite 15 Cream.
Octinoxate 9.0% – Octinoxate strongly filters UV‐B rays from the sun. Octinoxate dissolves in oil, which makes it a fat-seeking substance in the body. It is formed by combining methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol- compounds which are not harmful on their own. When mixed together, they form a clear liquid that does not dissolve in water. It is found in hair color products and shampoos, sunscreen, lipstick, nail polish, and skin creams. In products other than sunscreens, it is used as a UV filter to protect the products from degrading when exposed to the sun.
How Hydroquinone 2% Melalite® 15 cream works
Melalite 15 hydroquinone 2% cream belongs to a class of cosmeceuticals called as melanin synthesis inhibitors. It bleaches the skin by reducing the accumulation of skin pigment called melanin that causes darkening of skin. Melalite 15 cream decreasing the production and increasing the breakdown of melanosomes (melanin pigment granules) in the skin’s pigment cells (melanocytes). Hydroquinone 2% does this by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme needed to make skin pigment – melanin.
Topical application for hyperpigmentation treatment, including freckles, melasma, because of possible melanin occurrence as the consequence of aging, post inflammation, anti-pregnancy pill consumption. Hyperpigmentation usually develops because of sunrays.
In most cases, skin lightening (bleaching) should be seen after 4 weeks of application. Sometimes it may take longer to see any change but if no visible whitening effect is seen after 3 months of usage, you should stop using hydroquinone immediately (you skin probably tolerate and adapted to this component). To increase the effectiveness of hydroquinone 2% you should stay out of the sun and wear protective clothing and use an SPF30+ sunscreen when outdoors. Do not use sunlamps or tanning salons during Hydroquinone 2% course. It is important to use hydroquinone 2% regularly as directed/prescribed by your dermatologist until you achieve the desired bleaching, after which use only as needed to maintain results.
Do not use Melalite® 15 cream
- Pregnancy and lactation, acute inflammation (including eczema) lesions of the skin (dermatitis, seborrhea, rosacea and others.);
- Skin lesions (wounds, burns, etc.), photosensitivity and hypersensitivity to hydroquinone component;
- Patients with excessive sensitiveness history to hydroquinone or one of cream base components;
- Use the cream under strict medical supervision;
- Diseases of the rectum, or liver or kidney, Addison’s disease, asthma, allergic to sulfites, or to any of the components of the cream.
Side effects of Melalite® 15 cream
The most frequently reported side effects such as redness, peeling, burning, dryness and itching at the site of application.
Discontinue use and notify your dermatologist if you have any of the following side effects: darkening of the treated skin, strong irritation of the skin, the formation of bubbles, dribbling, scaling or crusting, painful burning or swelling of the skin, any type of breathing problems.
If you experiencing severe burning, itching, crusting or swelling of treated areas or possible allergic contact dermatitis and any unusual skin discoloration or color change, stop usage and ask your dermatologist. Prolonged use of hydroquinone component associated with the development of exogenous ochronosis (a persistent blue-black pigmentation), but this is rare. It could be due to other cream ingredients such as phenol, resorcinol, and antimalarial agents, which are known to cause ochronosis. The cream contains only high-quality ingredients in its composition and made by a reputable company so you don’t need to worry about products quality.
Brand name: Aclaro, Alera, Alphaquin HP, Eldopaque, Eldoquin, EpiQuin Micro, Esoterica Daytime, Hydroquinone and Sunscreen, Lustra, Melpaque HP, Melquin HP, Nuquin HP, Palmers Skin Success Eventone Fade, Remergent HQ
How to properly use hydroquinone 2% Melalite® 15 cream
- Gently wash your face with a mild cleanser;
- Apply the cream 1 a day at night, at least 30 minutes before bedtime, too much cream can irritate your skin and will not give you faster or better results;
- Apply a small amount (the size of a pea or ½ centimeter or less) cream on the tip of your finger, then apply a thin layer of cream evenly on the pigment area;
- Also include about 5 mm of normal skin surrounding the affected area and easily rub the cream. The cream should be well absorbed. If you can still see it, then you use it too much;
- Avoid using other products on the treated area for at least 1 hour after application, if there is dry, apply a moisturizer;
- The result will be seen after 1-4 weeks. Therapy time is 2-4 months according to the prescription of your dermatologist.
- Do not use Melalite 15 cream longer than 4 months in a row, it may give adverse effect;
- Avoid eyes contact. Keep out of reach of children under 14 years old. Should not be used by the pregnant/ lactating person;
- Apply continuously sunblock cream every day in the morning/noon to avoid the whitened skin turn to black;
- Side effects: skin irritation. Stop this cream usage, in case of redness, or itchiness within 24 hours following the treatment
