A recent analysis of records from a large research database suggests that people who use hydroquinone-containing skin-lightening products may be at an increased risk for skin cancers. The study revealed that hydroquinone use was associated with an approximately threefold increase in skin cancer risk.

Till now, hydroquinone, a tyrosinase inhibitor used globally for skin-lightening because of its inhibitory effect on melanin production, was generally considered safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its over-the-counter use in the United States has been restricted based on suspicion of carcinogenicity, yet only a few human studies exist. 

Miles B and Wilkerson M recently studied the medical record information from 61 million patients in 57 large health care organizations, almost all from the United States. They created two cohorts of patients aged 15 years and older with no prior diagnosis of skin cancer: one group treated with hydroquinone (medication code 5509 in the TriNetX system) and the other with no exposure to the drug. They utilized ICD-10 codes for melanoma, nonmelanoma skin cancer and all skin cancers to investigate which groups of people were likely to develop these cancers.

Their study revealed that hydroquinone exposure caused a significant increase in melanoma, nonmelanoma skin cancers and all reported skin cancers combined.

These findings will significantly impact the counseling and monitoring of future patients.

This study warrants further investigation of the ′hydroquinone exposure′ to determine if it is a driver of cancer or is itself a confounder. 

Source: MD edge. Dermatology [Internet]. Hydroquinone, found in skin-lightening agents worldwide, linked with increased skin cancer risk. August 31, 2022. Available from: https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/257504/aesthetic-dermatology/hydroquinone-found-skin-lightening-agents-worldwide