Hydroquinone ALERT!
The following is information and news coming from the most recent publication of Medesthetics Magazine (November/December 2006 issue) that I feel is useful to those in the skin care profession as well as the public using skin care products.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reversing its stance on hydroquinone. In September 2006, it issued notice of a proposed rule that would make it illegal to use the skin-bleaching drug in over-the-counter preparations.
The action is based on new data on the incidence of ochronosis (bluish black discoloration of tissue) caused by hydroquinone use and the potential carcinogenic risk from the drug. The FDA intends to consider all skin-bleaching drug products, whether currently marketed on a prescription or OTC basis, as new drugs requiring an approved new drug application for continued marketing.
