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Tri-Luma vs. Hydroquinone

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Tri-Luma

 

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hydroquinone cream

 

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Summary for Tri-Luma

Prescription only

Tri-Luma is a cream that's used to treat adults with melasma, or dark skin patches, on the face. The cream contains three active ingredients: fluocinolone (a steroid to lessen inflammation); hydroquinone (a melanin synthesis inhibitor to lighten skin color); and tretinoin (a retinoid to help with new skin growth). You apply Tri-Luma onto the dark patches on the face once a day, but side effects like skin redness and burning are common. It can take about 1 to 2 months to see results after you start treatment. Tri-Luma isn't approved to treat areas of hyperpigmentation that isn't related to melasma.

Indications for Tri-Luma

Pros and Cons for Tri-Luma

Pros

  • Only need to apply once a day
  • Easier to use a combination cream instead of two or three separate medications

Cons

  • Might take 1 to 2 months to see results
  • No lower-cost generic available

Common Side Effects for Tri-Luma

  • Skin redness (41%)
  • Skin peeling or flaking (38%)
  • Burning sensation on the skin (18%)
  • Dry skin (14%)
  • Itchy skin (11%)

Warnings for Tri-Luma

  • Allergic reaction
  • Blue-black darkening of the skin
  • Change in adrenal hormone levels
  • Skin irritation and other skin reactions

Summary for Hydroquinone

Prescription only

Hydroquinone cream is used to bleach dark spots or patches on your skin (hyperpigmentation, or skin discoloration) from certain skin conditions, such as freckles, melasma, and aging. Hydroquinone cream is applied to the skin, typically twice daily. It's important to protect yourself from the sun while you use this skin-lightening medication because it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. The most common side effects of hydroquinone cream include redness and stinging on the skin. Currently, hydroquinone cream is available by prescription only. The FDA no longer approves the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) hydroquinone cream.

Indications for Hydroquinone

Pros and Cons for Hydroquinone

Pros

  • Available as a lower-cost generic medication
  • Applied to the skin
  • Can be stored at room temperature

Cons

  • Can cause skin dryness, redness, and stinging
  • Can cause blue-black skin discoloration, especially in black people
  • Must use sunscreen because exposure to sunlight can reverse effects of the medication

Common Side Effects for Hydroquinone

  • Skin dryness
  • Skin redness
  • Cracking of the skin
  • Stinging

Warnings for Hydroquinone

  • Allergic reaction
  • Blue-black skin discoloration
  • Skin darkening

Prices with our coupons for Tri-Luma vs. Hydroquinone

Price Card Drug Icon
Tri-Luma1 tube / 30g of 0.05%
$207.30$294.84
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Price Card Drug Icon
Hydroquinone1 tube / 28.35g of 4%
$22.74$47.41
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