Hyperpigmentation: Its Historical Treatment and the Development of Hydroquinone

James J Nordlund

doi:10.4172/2376-0427.1000221

Abstract

Skin color has always been important and interest to people in all cultures. Disorders of skin color, either hyperor hypopigmentation are cosmetically vexing and can be signs of systemic disease. For many centuries physicians have tried to treat such disorders. We review some of the history of treatments for hyperpigmentation and the development of hydroquinone, currently the medication of choice for hyperpigmentation.

Highlights

Skin color has been a distinguishing feature of humans and of interest to the earliest humans writing about health
The efforts and clinical trials substantiate the idea that disorders of skin color such as hyperpigmentation were a significant problem
A decade later, investigators interested in finding treatments for hyperpigmentation undertook a series of studies on three chemicals, i.e., monobenzone, hydroquinone and para-hydroxypropiophenone [7]

Summary

Introduction

Skin color has been a distinguishing feature of humans and of interest to the earliest humans writing about health. Others noted that Africans emigrating to cooler and less sunny climates in Europe did not lose their color and their children retained the dark skin of their parents. They suggested that hepatic humors deposited beneath the skin thereby giving the skin its color. After removing the blister and observing the dermal side, early scientists noted that the pigment was on the lowest layer of the epidermis The observations confirmed their hypothesis about color coming from deposition of hepatic humors [4]. A variety of other agents were utilized to lighten disfiguring hyperpigmentation These included applications of borax, sulfur, tincture of iodine, potassium and sodium hydroxide. The efforts and clinical trials substantiate the idea that disorders of skin color such as hyperpigmentation were a significant problem

Occupational leukoderma and monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone

The advent of hydroquinone as a skin lightener

Some concerns about the use of hydroquinone

Findings

The future