Brief Answer:
This combination should not be used for more than 4-6 weeks in continuity

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.

I have taken note of your query and i am going to answer it to the best of my capability.

The cream that you inquire about in this query is a triple drug combination of tretinoin, hydroquinone and mometasone furoate.

This is gold standard combination for treatment of melasma/pigmentation on face.

This combination is strictly a prescription product and should never be used for more than 4-6 weeks in continuity.

However, if used intermittently, the combination may be used for a bit longer.

It is always advisable to use it under a doctor's supervision because a doctor can detect side effects due to it at an early stage.

Using it for more than recommended duration can lead to side effects like skin thinning, sun senstivity, persistent red skin and telangiectasia, hirsutism/facial hair in females and acne.

A dermatologist would usually not allow these side effects to develop and substitute it with safer alternatives,timely.

The most safe way to use this combination is to use it once daily at night for the first 4-6 weeks.
This combination would usually produce good results over this time period.

Thereafter, substitute it with other safer alternatives like either kojic acid or glycolic acid or azaleic acid.

Regards
hope this helps

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Brief Answer:
kojic acid, azaleic acid, glycolic acid, arbutin etc are absolutely safe

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

These are just chemical names and there is nothing to fear just because they are acids.
Glycolic acid is natural and is derived from sugarcane and similarly azaleic acid is derived from wheat.
As I mentioned pigment reducing agents like glycolic acid, kojic acid, azaleic acid, arbutin etc are absolutely safe even in the long run as compared to the triple drug combination that you were inquiring about.

You may also opt for a few sessions of chemical peeling from your treating dermatologist.
Glycolic acid peel is particularly useful for facial hyperpigmentation.

Sunscreen is an essential part of management of facial hyperpigmentation/ melasma.
Use a broad spectrum sunscreen i.e that which offers both UV B as well as UV A protection, throughout the day.
Reapply every 2-3 hours, specially when outdoors.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
Lasers are not recommended

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Laser is not a solution for Hyperpigmentation/ Melasma and is not recommended because of risk of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation/ PIH.

Lasers are in fact contraindicated for this indication.
XXXXXXX skin already has a lot of melanin and, therefore, rather than improving dark patches Lasers may cause these dark patches to turn even darker, on the contrary, because of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation/ PIH.

Pots-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation/ PIH is a non-specific reaction to any inflammatory insult to skin and is a result of increased synthesis of melanin.

Regards

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