[BlackBeauty56]

Hello,

I'm interested in making my own cream/oil for my VERY dark eye circles I've had my whole life using Hydroquinone powder. I've used every product under the sun for my circles, even the creams for oxidized blood in the eye area (Which are NOT the kind of dark circles I have, I just have hyperpigmentation - My circles are hereditary). And the creams for hyperpigmentation containing Hydroquinone do absolutely NOTHING, because I find that most commercial eye products for dark circles contain only 1-1.5% Hydroquinone, and these products rarely work on women of color as well. This is why I've decided to just make my own Hydroquinone solution, I'm just so sick of looking like a damn raccoon! :) I'm thinking I want to dissolve it in Emu oil, it's the base of most of my homemade skincare products, it's like a super-oil for the skin, and it's an anti-inflammatory among other things. My first question: Is the pure Hydroquinone powder you find at photography sites the same as the kind used in skincare, and is it safe (About as safe as any other Hydroquinone skincare product)? Secondly, what is the percentage of concentration? I read somewhere that it usually is 4%, but I'm not completely sure, and I need to be in order to know how much to use. Also, can I successfully dissove the powder in oil, or any other oily substance, like Shea butter as well? And if so, is just mixing the Emu oil and powder together in a bottle, and placing the bottle in hot water for a few minutes a good way to dissolve it? Any women here that have used Hydroquinone powder in their homemade skincare, please feel free to share your knowledge and wisdom on this subject. Thank you for all your help! :)

[SouthAfricacute]

I've never used hydroquinine powder.
But please be warned that using it in very high percentages,could cause ochronosis its where your skin becomes darker,and thicker.
So please be careful,and research more about your plane of action.
I'm not saying don't do it I'm just saying read up more about it OK.
(I doubt you look like a racoon.)
Lots of huggies!!

[BlackBeauty56]

I've never used hydroquinine powder.
But please be warned that using it in very high percentages,could cause ochronosis its where your skin becomes darker,and thicker.
So please be careful,and research more about your plane of action.
I'm not saying don't do it I'm just saying read up more about it ok.
(I doubt you look like a racoon.)
Lots of huggies !!!!

Thanks, I've read up on the awful side effects of Hydroquinone, so I would never use it for long-term, and I know to never use it without using sunblock if I'm going to be in the sun. Which is why I want to try it now in the winter, instead of using it in more sunny seasons. I think if I'm careful and smart, I won't see any negative side effects, considering I'm only using it on a small area of my skin.

[mistyjane]

Why don't you try some alpha arbutin it's also known to lighten well in association with kojic acid.Not saying it works better than HQ powder but it's easier to find online.
I will also make my home made cream next month with those 2 actves.I'll tell you about my progress.
Good luck.

[BlackBeauty56]

Why don't you try some alpha arbutin it's also known to lighten well in association with kojic acid.Not saying it works better than HQ powder but it's easier to find online.
I will also make my home made cream next month with those 2 actves.I'll tell you about my progress.
Good luck.

Thanks for the info, mistyjane! I haven't heard of Alpha Arbutin, I'll have to read up on it. I have heard of Kojic Acid, and if Alpha Arbutin is just as good, then the two put together might deliver results just as good as HQ, but maybe without the harmful side effects? If you can keep me posted on your progress, it would be greatly appreciated! :)

[mistyjane]

Thanks for the info, mistyjane! I haven't heard of Alpha Arbutin, i'll have to read up on it. I have heard of Kojic Acid, and if Alpha Arbutin is just as good, then the two put together might deliver results just as good as HQ, but maybe without the harmful side effects? If you can keep me posted on your progress, it would be greatly appreciated! :)

I will for sure!;)

[flipdoubt]

Found this Dermatologist thread: http://dermatology.cdlib.org/rxderm-archives/depigmentation

"The HQ is dissolved in the water first, then the creams are combined, and
finally all are mixed thourougly by hand. This makes 50gm of a very nice
stable bleaching cream which emulsifies nicely. The fluocinonide content is
0.015% and use is carefully monitored by giving the patient 10gm jars at a
time. I have never seen atrophy or steroid induced rosacea from use of this,
but it is a concern of course. The patient is instructed to apply at hs and
use high SPF sunscreen every AM. The advantages are: 1) Patients love it, a
prescription made just for them by the dermatologist, and they don't have to
pay for it. NO prescription cost to the patient 2) minimal cost to the
dermatologist since ingredients are free samples exept for the HQ powder
which is inexpensive 3) very individualized treatment with control of supply
by the dermatologist."