Topical hydroquinone in the treatment of some hyperpigmentary disorders

Seventy patients (50 with melasma, 10 with freckles, and 10 with post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation) were admitted to this trial. Treatment in the form of 4% hydroquinone (HQ) was applied topically twice daily for a maximum of 12 weeks. Patients were advised to avoid sun exposure and/or to use topical sunscreen during the entire period of treatment. All patients were examined at week 0 and at weeks 4, 8, and 12 of therapy. At each visit, the lesion size was determined and the pigmentary intensity of melasma, freckles, and the area of post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) relative to a non‐affected area of skin was rated on a four‐point scale: 1, no difference; 2, mild pigmentation; 3, moderate pigmentation; 4, severe pigmentation. At the last visit, the overall response was rated as excellent, good, fair, or poor.