The treatment of hydroquinone problems depends on the nature of the complication(s), the extent as well as the severity of the problem, and the client’s individual dermatological and medical history. Some of the most commonly encountered issues are as follows:

• Erythema and edema: redness, inflammation, flaking and swelling of the skin can occur as a result of using hydroquinone creams. This can be a short term complication as well as a chronic, long-term condition.
• Uneven skin tone: many “DIY” creams used for skin lightening at home can render a patchy and uneven result. This is because it is very difficult to achieve even results when using aggressive skin bleaching creams at home.
• Ochronosis: this is a form of dermatitis which presents as darkened patches of blue and greyish discolouration on the skin. This is a difficult condition to treat, and in severe cases, can lead to the development of fibrotic skin lesions.
• Depigmentation: areas of over-bleaching are susceptible to depigmentation, which leaves areas of skin completely devoid of melanin (hypopigmentation).