Hydroquinone cream is available by prescription only and is used to fade hyperpigmentation or skin discolouration.
Please discuss how to use hydroquinone cream properly with your doctor before use, as it can cause skin discolouration and other negative side effects.
Sources:
[1] ‘Hydroquinone’, GoodRX. [Online]. Available: https://www.goodrx.com/hydroquinone/what-is?srsltid=AfmBOooL7gZUXBPIR2q7EHt8vGa11JH9U91YrmSXBWcjGezjVZ5I_vRz.
You should wear sunscreen on skin not covered by clothing everyday you go outside. This is because the sun emits harmful UV rays everyday, rain or shine (up to 80% of harmful UV rays penetrate through clouds!).
Sun protection factor (SPF) is a measure of how much solar energy is required to sunburn protected versus unprotected skin. A higher SPF value indicates a higher protection rating.
When choosing a sunscreen, it is recommended to choose one that offers the following:
Not protecting your skin from the UV rays can worsen skin conditions and even lead to developing skin cancer.
Sources:
[1] ‘What does SPF in Sunscreen really mean?’, Office for Science and Society. Available: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/you-asked-general-science/what-does-spf-sunscreen-really-mean.
[2] C. for D. E. and Research, ‘Sun Protection Factor (SPF)’, FDA, Nov. 2018, Available: https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-drug-evaluation-and-research-cder/sun-protection-factor-spf.
[3] ‘Sunscreen FAQs’. Available: https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen.
Benzoyl peroxide is usually used to treat mild to moderate acne. It can also be used to treat rosacea.
You can find benzoyl peroxide over-the-counter in face washes, creams or gels. Benzoyl peroxide products can be found in the acne section of the drugstore, and have benzoyl peroxide listed as an “active ingredient”.
Sources:
Retinoids are a class of compounds derived from vitamin A. They are used to treat a variety of dermatological conditions, including acne, psoriasis, and photoaging. They are also used off-label for keratosis pilaris and hyperpigmentation. Some examples include:
Talk to your doctor to see if retinoids can help with your skin condition. These retinoids require a prescription to be obtained.
Sources:
Morning:
Evening
The steps above are all you need to have healthy, well-maintained ski; however, you may consider incorporating treatment step(s) if you are struggling with a skin condition.