LUSTRA (HYDROQUINONE)

Lustra Description

Dark patches of skin on the hands, shoulders, face, and other areas that have been exposed to sunlight may cause concern for some women. Or maybe you are pregnant and cannot figure why there is a dark line running vertically down your baby belly. If the dark spots on your skin are bothersome and you cannot even hide them with make-up, you can talk to your doctor about a solution to make them lighter. Lustra is a prescription cream that can help lighten dark spots on your skin. Some ladies are not freckle-friendly when sunlight appears to double the amount you used to have. Lustra will help them fade out of sight.

How Lustra Can Even Out Your Skin Tone

The discoloration is from increased melanin, pigments that are derivatives of an amino acid called tyrosine. The sun is not the only culprit of hyper-pigmentation as stress, hormones during pregnancy, or inflammation from trauma may also be to blame. Upon applying Lustra or generic Hydroquinone to the affected areas of your skin, the ingredients are absorbed into your skin’s pigment cells where they inhibit the activity of tyrosine. This breaks down melanin pigment granules, known as melanosomes. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Conditions Treated by Lustra

Melasma is the name given to the dark patches on your skin caused by exposure to sunlight. Hormones can also trigger an increase in the production of melanin that causes brown patches of skin on expectant mothers, women taking birth control pills, or from the use of certain cosmetics and anti-seizure meds. Melanin is what gives all of us our skin tones and hair/eye color. Despite warnings of sun damage, many still enjoy having the tanned look. Besides causing dark patches on your skin, you could also find yourself faced with skin cancer. You should limit your time in direct sunlight and use a good sunscreen product.

Before Lustra is Prescribed

Dark spots that appear on your skin when you are pregnant or nursing should fade or disappear once your hormones have settled down, so simply be patient and avoid using Lustra at this time. If you become pregnant or are breast feeding while using Lustra, tell your doctor and find out if it may be harmful to your unborn or nursing baby. Disclose other medical conditions and allergies you have and list any OTC or Rx drugs you take, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements. This will help your doctor to determine if Lustra is safe for you to use.

Lustra Precautions

You should only apply Lustra to the affected areas as normal colored skin could become lighter. Wash your hands well after applying Lustra so you do not get it in your eyes or other sensitive areas. The bleaching effect of Lustra can make the treated areas more susceptible to sunburn when outdoors so wear protective clothing over those areas. Keep Lustra and other meds out of children’s reach and never share with anyone else.

Possible Side Effects of Lustra

• Burning sensation upon application
• Dry skin where applied
• Redness