Anyone ever use 6% Bleaching Cream from Clinicians Complex?

I'm looking for a very good product to lighten dark spots on my clients. It's getting harder and harder to find something with Hydroquinone in it. Can anyone enlighten me about what the problem with hydroquinone is? I know I have heard it can cause liver damage, but I thought that was only in large doses. I have also heard that Arbutin "converts" to hydroquinone once it hits the skin. Does anyone know anything about this either? I saw this product in my email today and was intrigued. I just wondered if any of you esty's out there have ever used it?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by body&skincarebyenith on November 12, 2012 at 11:30am

I personally don't like it because it thins out the skin. Doesn't necessarily "fixes" the problem, but creates a different condition. FDA is trying to advice manufacturer about the possible cancer mutations that can cause but it's not 100% clear about the side effects.

Permalink Reply by Brigitte McDonald on November 12, 2012 at 11:33am

So you feel it is too aggressive of a product? Do you have another product you can recommend for dark pigmentation?

Permalink Reply by Cheryl Bruss on November 12, 2012 at 5:33pm

Hi Brigitte , Skin Scripts line was developed with pigmentation in mind it has glycolic retinol pads as well as a 2% Retnol with Kojic acid also some alpha arbutin all for brightening the skin also Lactic Acid they all work together to brighten pigmentation and inhibiting the enzyme in the skin that produces the melanin.check out there line .sorry I have not heard of the 6% bleaching cream from the line you are talking about

Permalink Reply by Brigitte McDonald on November 12, 2012 at 6:05pm

I just got the pads you are talking about from skinscripts, haven't tried them out yet, but I was always taught hydroquinone was truly the only melanin inhibitor available. Do u like the directions? Do u think it is effective on it clientele?

Permalink Reply by Brigitte McDonald on November 12, 2012 at 6:07pm

Not directions, Skinscripts! (Mobil)

Permalink Reply by body&skincarebyenith on November 12, 2012 at 11:31am

Sorry typos! I'm mobile :)

Permalink Reply by Emilie Spruill on November 12, 2012 at 6:25pm

I'm very opposed to hydroquinone and the reason that its undesirable is that it has been identified as a potential carcinogen and it is bioaccumulative. This means that its approved for say 2 or 4% but it stores up in your bloodstream and accumulates. If you Wikipedia hydroquinone and also vitamin c, you can read more about it. Natural alternatives: vitamin c, mulberry, licorice root, strawberry, kojic acid and lotus extract. All are natural tyrosinase inhibitors. If you have other questions or want product recommendations email me directly emilie at graceskincaresolutions dot com :)

Permalink Reply by Brigitte McDonald on November 12, 2012 at 7:54pm

Thank you for the information Emilie. I checked out the Wikipedia site and apparently the FDA has banned hydroquinone when taken orally but can not rule out the possible carcinogenic toxicity of it when used topically as well. Especially considering the possible cause of disfiguring effects (ochronosis) after use of concentrations as low as 1 to 2-percent. I think I will be steering clear of it!

Here is the link for the pdf I read from the FDA if anyone is interested. http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/78n-0065-npr0003.pdf.

If anybody has any other products they like to use for hyperpigmentation (not prevention, just for dark spots that have already occurred) that they have seen good results in their clients, I would love to hear from you!

Permalink Reply by Rita Edet, Educator Dermaplanpro on November 13, 2012 at 9:16pm

Hello Bridgett,

I purchased an used the clinicians complex 6% bleaching cream because I was seeking an effective lightener that really worked, and I must say, it was a waste of my money!!!...infact I dont know why they would call it 6% because I found the Obagi nuderm 4% to be much more effective!.... However now I am leaning more towards the natural lightners like kojic acid, licorice, etc since the treatments with hydroquinone are known to be toxic.

Permalink Reply by Brigitte McDonald on November 14, 2012 at 12:05pm

Thanks for your input Rita! Good to hear some opinions.

Permalink Reply by Sandy Defilippi on November 14, 2012 at 8:27am

The problem with Hydroquinone is that the FDA is trying to ban over the counter products with it because of possible misuse. The best and safest way to obtain Hydroquinone is via an MD's rx. As far as liver damage, studies have not been conclusive, however when it was given orally to lab mice in mundane doses it did cause DNA mutations. I personally stay away from it, you can recommend a 20% ascorbic acid serum, over time it does reduce the appearance of spots, and as always recommend an SPF of at least 30. I hope you found this helpful.

Permalink Reply by Brigitte McDonald on November 14, 2012 at 12:06pm

Thanks Sandy. Do you have a certain line you use with the 20% ascorbic acid serum (this is vitamin C, right?). When did your clients start seeing results? 1-2 weeks? 1-2 months?