How Safe Is Bleaching Cream?

People who spend a lot of time out in the sun frequently develop age spots as they grow older. Some people find these brown liver spots are unsightly and want to get rid of them. Products like Porcelana or Esoterica contain hydroquinonone. This over the counter bleaching cream gradually lightens brown spots on the skin. It has been available for decades in the US, but has been banned in Europe and Japan because of links to cancer in animal tests. Now the FDA has asked the National Toxicology Program to review the safety of hydroquinone to see if it might pose a hazard from skin exposure. It will be years, however, before there is a definitive answer. In the meantime, people concerned about brown spots should stay out of the sun or use an effective sunscreen.