Therapists should be alarmed to read about recent research relating to hydroquinone causing cancer. Although hydroquinone creams are banned for use in cosmetics you may be still be giving hydroquinone to your clients without being aware. Recent evidence on the long term damage of hydroquinone has made this a critical issue for therapists to assess management of client's pigmentation issues.
Hydroquinone has been used for many years to reduce pigmentation by acting on melanin producing cells. This action can destroy the pigment making cells (melanocytes) and alter the structure of melanosomes (packets of pigment which are made by the melanocytes and passed to new skin cells as they are formed).
Hydroquinone was banned in January 2001 in cosmetics because of the potential damage it can do to the skin in terms of irritating the skin and creating white areas where no pigment can be made or in some cases turning the skin black. It is still prescribed by dermatologists in hospital but they are gradually switching to alternatives as new safety data comes to light. Recent studies have shown the potential of hydroquinone to cause cancer.
Significant importation of hydroquinone creams still occurs from countries where it is yet to be banned and a strong black market trade exists in the UK. This is bad enough but more concerning is that companies can still sell products containing arbutin and bearberry legally. Arbutin is the glycopyranoside of hydroquinone. This mouthful means that when this molecule is in the skin it breaks down and releases hydroquinone. Bearberry is a natural source of arbutin. So in fact many people are still effectively getting hydroquinone albeit by a different method. This issue of substitute sources of hydroquinone has been raised with the EEC but they have yet to respond; although they have classified hydroquinone as a potential cancer agent.
Hydroquinone has been shown to cause blood cancers such as leukaemia and kidney damage in animal studies. When applied to the skin it is absorbed into the blood stream and excreted via the kidneys but at a slower rate. This tells us that hydroquinone accumulates in the body. It is broken down in the bone marrow to p-benzoquinone and this is where long term damage may originate.
Hydroquinone creams are routinely used for four to six weeks minimum and many people use it for social lightening of a dark complexion over many years. There is strong evidence now that safer alternatives should be used which are as effective in many cases but without the long term risks.
This information has been brought to light by a recent review by Dr W Westerhof and T J Kooyers of the Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders and the Department of
Dermatology at the University on the health risks of hydroquinone and its analogues. They are pleading with the authorities to ban all sources of hydroquinone immediately.
Looking younger is not that hard, really. For most people, putting a variety on anti wrinkle creams on their face every day does the trick for awhile However, it's really hard to enjoy the summer or anything outside without worrying about what the weather is doing to your skin. Besides wrinkle creams, there are a few more things you should do to lessen the worry, and keep your wrinkles under control.
It was once thought that sunlight (Ultraviolet (UV) light can speed up aging, by causing wrinkles and/or rough, blotchy skin. If you look at people who live in warm/sunny climates, you might notice that they have more wrinkles or uneven pigmentation in their skin, but is the sun really the problem?
However, recent research has shown that some people who live in these climates actually fare better than people in rainy climates. It's a fact that few people know, but a fact, none the less.
However, if you did not grow up with natural wrinkle protection for the sun, you might want to limit the time you spend sun tanning, and wear a hat as needed. Also, use sunscreen when outdoors, even in cloudy weather and in the winter. While sunscreen is not the best wrinkle cream, it will keep the skin moist.
Be careful about sunscreen though, some of it can actually cause more harm to your skin. You should choose a sunscreen with a protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, and it should block both UVA and UVB rays. Sunlight actually provides our bodies with a necessary amount of Vitamin D, so don't hide from it completely! As I said before, use of moisturizers is necessary to keep the skin plump. When dry, the skin shrivels and tightens, which is where the wrinkles get their shape. If you use an anti wrinkle cream and keep the skin is moist, it can quickly recover from unsightly wrinkles - or at the very least, the wrinkle cream will mask the tiny lines and creases created when the skin was drier.
Those who smoke will be disappointed in this next fact. Although, I would be surprised if they didn't already know it. According to the Mayo Clinic "Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. It also damages collagen and elastin, fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. As a result, skin begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely." If you're going to smoke, you are also going to have to use the best anti wrinkle cream money can buy!
After using wrinkle creams for a while and getting nowhere, some people turn to Botox injections for help. This should be the LAST resort, not the first one. I, for one, do not like the idea of voluntarily putting poison into my face. Botox is a drug derived from Botulinum Toxin A. A deadly poison produced by Clostridium Botulinum - the bacterium that causes botulism. I want to look good, but I don't want bacterium in my face!
You might want to consider another fact. If your natural lines can no longer move, do you think you might get more lines in other (more unnatural) areas of your face?
I still prefer to use anti-aging wrinkle creams for relief of lines and wrinkles. They are really better than botox (in my opinion), and with a wrinkle cream, you can put it all over your face, and it won't paralyze the face in any particular area. The wrinkles become invisible when the wrinkle cream plumps the skin and takes the shadows away.
Both Skinmed & Evelyn G. are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Skinmed has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acne Treatment, Beauty Tips and Acne Treatment. treatment known as by SkinMed. Skinmed's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.
Evelyn G. has sinced written about articles on various topics from Skin Care, Aging and Anti Wrinkle Cream. Find out more about the best anti wrinkle cream on the market, as well as the truth about sunscreen and Collegen at www.aHealthStop.com. You'll also discover the world's first ALL-IN-ONE...Fast-Acting Anti-Wrinkle-Cream, Firming-Cream, 24-Hour Moisturizer. Evelyn G.'s top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.