When should hydroquinones be stopped if planning to get pregnant?

Dr. Irwin
January 14, 2013
Hi doctor My wife is taking topical Hydroquinone 4% on her face and neck around 4 times daily for 3 weeks but she stop it last thursday and we planning to concieve this month. Is it enough to stop it now or we need to stop it for one month prior to getting pregnant? Abdullah

Thank you for the good question.  There isn’t any data on this in the medical literature because it would be unethical to test this in humans.  And it’s difficult to know if research in mice is applicable.  Generally though, I think common sense could prevail and I think most dermatologists would probably recommend a full month or more just to be conservative.   Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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