Hydroquinone is the most evidence-supported topical for melasma and stubborn hyperpigmentation. Since 2020 it has been prescription-only in the United States — the CARES Act removed it from over-the-counter availability — and DermClick prescribes it through compounded formulas (The Brightening Solution and The Precision Dark Spot Corrector).
Standard duration of use: 12 to 16 weeks of active treatment, then a transition to a non-Hydroquinone maintenance formula for several months, then re-evaluation. Continuous use beyond 6 months without a break is associated with rare but real risks, including exogenous ochronosis (a paradoxical bluish-black discoloration, more common in darker skin tones). Your dermatologist sets the duration plan when prescribing.
Hydroquinone is contraindicated in pregnancy and is generally avoided during breastfeeding. See the Melasma section for the full discussion of how DermClick approaches Hydroquinone treatment, alternatives for patients who can't use it, and what happens at the end of an active treatment cycle.