- 2025, Volume 83 - Number 4
- Published: December 15, 2025
Hydroquinone triggering segmental vitiligo
Catarina C. Bella-Cruz 1, Letícia M. Kondo-Iwamoto 1, Francielle Nocera-Viechineski 1, Mahony Raulino-de Santana 1, Caio C. Silva-de Castro 2
1 Department of Dermatology Residency, Hospital de Dermatologia Sanitária do Paraná, Piraquara, State of Paraná, Paraná, Brazil; 2 Department of Dermatology, Hospital de Dermatologia Sanitária do Paraná, State of Paraná, Piraquara; Department of Dermatology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, State of Paraná, Curitiba. Brazil
Catarina C. Bella-Cruz, Letícia M. Kondo-Iwamoto, Francielle Nocera-Viechineski, Mahony Raulino-de Santana, Caio C. Silva-de Castro
La información completa de afiliaciones y autor de correspondencia está disponible en la versión original en PDF.
*Correspondence: Caio C. Silva-de Castro, Email not available
Abstract
Chemically induced vitiligo is a disorder that can occur in genetically susceptible individuals after repeated exposure to a substance. Hydroquinone, a drug commonly found in skin depigmenting formulations, can induce or exacerbate vitiligo. We report a case of a patient who developed segmental vitiligo following the use of a topical depigmenting agent containing hydroquinone. We report the first case in the literature of hydroquinone-induced segmental vitiligo, during melasma treatment, in a genetically susceptible patient. This case highlights the importance of medical precaution when prescribing skin depigmenting agents to patients with a possible genetic predisposition to vitiligo.
