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Home > Drug Category > Cosmetics (Topical) > Lustra Cream and Equivalent

Lustra Cream Information

Lustra Cream (Hydroquinone) is primarily used to gradually bleach hyperpigmented skin conditions, including melasma, chloasma, solar lentigines (commonly known as age spots), and freckles. It also appears to be effective for treating post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is the darkening that often lingers after a skin injury or a bout of acne. The active ingredient in this medication is hydroquinone at 4% concentration, usually paired with glycolic acid and antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E to stabilize the mixture. It belongs to the class of topical depigmenting agents. It works by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme the body uses to initiate melanin production. By blocking this enzyme, the cream prevents the skin from producing new pigment, which eventually leads to the lightening of the treated areas as the old, darker cells are naturally replaced.

These conditions, often described as dyschromia, occur when the skin's pigment-producing cells become overactive, frequently due to hormonal changes, ultraviolet light damage, or inflammatory skin conditions. In melasma, for example, hormones may signal the skin to produce more pigment, while solar lentigines are essentially the result of long-term sun exposure. Lustra Cream helps by essentially inhibiting this overproduction of pigments. It doesn't bleach the skin instantly; instead, it ensures that the new skin layers that come to the surface have less pigment than the ones they replace. This process requires a bit of patience, as it usually takes several weeks to see a noticeable shift in tone, and the results can be quite fragile, as even a small amount of sun exposure might cause the pigment to return if the skin isn't protected.

Lustra Cream Side Effects

Like all medications, hydroquinone can cause some side effects. Common side effects of this medication include mild skin irritation, such as redness, dryness, and itching, as well as mild burning or stinging of the treated skin. Contact your doctor if these common side effects persist or worsen.

Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects, including the following:
• Allergic reactions such as breathing difficulties, body itching, body rash, skin blistering, swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, lips, or throat;
• Blue or black discoloration of the skin (especially if you are Hispanic or African-American);
• Severe skin dryness, cracking, oozing, or bleeding

Inform your doctor about any other side effects you notice that are not listed here.

Lustra Cream Precautions

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to hydroquinone, other ingredients in Lustra Cream, or any other medicines. Before you start taking this medication, ensure that you inform your doctor about any prior or current medical conditions, including the following:
• Asthma;
• Kidney disease;
• Liver disease

Lustra can inherently increase your skin's vulnerability to ultraviolet light damage. Therefore, avoid exposing your skin to sunlight by wearing protective clothing when outdoors and using sunscreen. The safety of topical hydroquinone during pregnancy remains a point of debate, as it is officially classified as FDA Category C. One of the main concerns is its high systemic absorption rate, estimated at 35%-45% when applied topically. Because there are no well-controlled studies in human pregnancy, many guidelines suggest that its use is not recommended and should be avoided unless the benefit clearly outweighs the theoretical risk to the fetus. It is currently unknown whether hydroquinone is excreted into human milk. Consult your doctor before using this medication while breastfeeding.

Using hydroquinone alongside benzoyl peroxide or hydrogen peroxide can cause temporary skin darkening. Concurrent use of systemic drugs like thiazide diuretics, sulfonamides, or tetracyclines with hydroquinone might exacerbate the risk of reaction to sunlight. Therefore, before applying this medication, inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking, including other topical medications, to determine whether it is safe to use with Lustra Cream.

Apply a thin film of the cream onto the hyperpigmented areas twice daily, usually in the morning and at night, as directed by your doctor or as stated in the medication pack. Apply a very small amount of the medicine to a small area of healthy skin, and check the area within 24 hours. If there is no reaction other than minor redness, begin using the full prescribed amount of the medicine. Clinical evidence suggests that focusing solely on the spots may prevent unnecessary redness on healthy skin. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Do I need a prescription to order Lustra Cream?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Lustra Cream.