Why Hydroquinone is better than Topical Steroids (Tube creams)

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We have posted several articles such as this on Hydroquinone explaining its action and benefits. As an alternative to Hydroquinone some consumers prefer "skin lightening tube creams" such as Fashion fair, Movate cream and Applevet cream to name a few. These products contain clobetasol propionate which belongs to a class of substances called corticosteroids or simply topical steroids. The exact mechanism is complex and not completely understood. In simple terms corticosteroids reduce the effects of skin inflammation. This is achieved partly by constricting blood vessels and restricting the skins immune response system. This action is medically beneficial and helps doctors manage many kinds of skin ailments making topical steroids extremely popular.

However, a side effect of using topical steroids is that it shrinks the top layer skin cells making the cells thinner. The skin tone also lightens considerably. Scientist are yet to understand exactly how this work but one of the adverse side effects is that the skin becomes sensitive to sun light (photo sensitivity) in addition to it becoming thin. This explains why some users of topical steroids often complaining of "blue veins" and "thin skin" and "darkened skin" after prolonged use. In addition there is danger of sun damage in the form of sun burns or even skin cancer from over exposure to UVA and UVB light radiation.

There are other dangers in abusing the use of topical steroids including stretch marks, itching, microbial infections and abnormal hair growth. Because topical steroids are absorbed through the skin into the blood stream it appears in breast milk and should not be used by nursing mothers as it slows down growth of new born babies. 

It is clear that topical steroids pose a far greater health risk for consumers than Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone only inhibits production of melanin while steroids go as far as to alter skin cell behaviour. In fact topical steroids are a serious danger to skin health if abused.


Resources: wikipedia.org; whiteskin.nfo; ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; cosmeticinfo.com; dermnetnz.org