Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone (pronounced: /ˌhaɪdrəˈkwɪnoʊn/), also known as benzene-1,4-diol or quinol, is a type of phenolic compound that is often used in skin lightening products and photographic developers.
Etymology
The term "hydroquinone" is derived from the words "hydro" and "quinone". "Hydro" is a prefix in the chemical nomenclature system indicating the presence of hydrogen. "Quinone" is a class of organic compounds derived from aromatic compounds such as benzene or naphthalene.
Uses
Hydroquinone is primarily used in cosmetics and medicine for its depigmenting effects. It is a common ingredient in skin lightening creams and lotions, where it works by decreasing the production and increasing the degradation of melanin pigments in the skin. In medicine, it is used to treat conditions such as melasma, freckles, and age spots.
In addition to its medical and cosmetic uses, hydroquinone is also used in the photographic industry as a photographic developer.
Related Terms
- Melanin: A pigment that determines the color of the skin, hair, and eyes.
- Melasma: A common skin condition where brown or gray-brown patches appear on the face.
- Freckles: Small, brownish spots on the skin that are caused by an overproduction of melanin.
- Age spots: Flat, brown, gray, or black spots on the skin that usually occur on sun-exposed areas.
- Photographic developer: A chemical substance that is used to develop photographic film.
Safety and Side Effects
While hydroquinone is generally safe for topical use, it can cause side effects such as skin irritation, redness, and dryness. In rare cases, it can also cause a skin condition called ochronosis, which results in blue-black discoloration of the skin.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hydroquinone
- Wikipedia's article - Hydroquinone
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