Depending on condition. Creams can be used.

Hydroquinone 4% or 8 % - it is prescription only.

Hi, thank you for your question.

There are several ways to whitening your skin. Choosing the best treatment for you is based upon several factors such as location, depth of pigmentation, Fitzpatrick skin prototype, etc. Generally speaking, one can achieve satisfactory results with lasers (especially pico lasers) and IPL. Your plastic surgeon or dermatologist can also give you good results with the new generation of chemical peelings. Although chemical peelings have been around for quite some time, the newest generation has the advantages of minimum downtime and long lasting results.

You need to ask a dentist

By your question, I am guessing you mean skin "lightening" versus "whitening." The go-to medical treatment to the skin to help correct uneven skin tone, which often lightens or brightens hyperpigmented (darker) skin, is use of topical hydroquinone or 'HDQ.' The common formulation is 4% hydroquinone and must be obtained by prescription or by a physician, such as a Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon, who carries skin care products in his or her practice.

Hydroquinone (HDQ) does essentially bleach the skin, but it does it in a controlled manner, as the medication targets the melanocytes in your skin that produce pigment, and it stimulates more even production of melanin throughout the skin of the treatment area. You have to be patient with results, as you may not notice a visible change or improvement in skin tone unevenness for at least four (4) weeks, sometimes longer.

Hydroquinone can also be a useful "pretreatment" to the skin before individuals with darker skin type (such as some Hispanics, Indians, and Blacks) undergo laser resurfacing, as laser treatment can worsen dark pigmentation. Determining your skin type is a very important first step, and we Plastic Surgeons do this by figuring out your 'Fitzpatrick' score (1 corresponds to a redhead who burns easily in the sun and never tans, while a 6 is the dark Indian to Black skin type that never burns and always tans).

Seek out a Plastic Surgeon or Cosmetic Dermatologist to evaluate your skin and discuss skin care options for you to help improve your skin tone and texture.

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FCLM