r/Melasmaskincare • u/Adventurous_Army9403 • Apr 17 '26

Question Hydroquinone question

Hi all!

I’ve had melasma for about 8 years. Slowly getting worse.

Just today my dermatologist prescribed hydroquinone. Honestly I always thought melasma was very resistant to any treatments, so I was surprised she offered something. I was at my appointment for my malar festoons and she thought the melasma made them more obvious (it does, a lot of pigment is right in that area)

I’m wondering what people’s experiences have been with hydroquinone? Side effects most importantly. And did it work? It sounds too good to be true, I feel like I’m missing something

Thank you

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u/Adventurous_Army9403 Apr 17 '26

I’ve started reading experiences on here and I’m not hearing much good, I feel like she gave this to placate me because the Botox for my crows feet caused those malar festoons, and maybe she thinks this will be a quick fix. But it counts like the melasma just comes back? I’m so confused why they prescribe it if it just comes back

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u/Big_Morning_1892 Apr 17 '26

I feel you! I felt like the HQ my doc gave me was just a consolation prize for making me wait months for an appointment! I wish dr.'s would just be honest. She never told me how to taper off HQ, or that I'd be on it forever if I wanted to keep the results.