ABSTRACT
Skin hyperpigmentation is common and often causes psychosocial distress (1). Therapeutical interventions include whitening agents, chemical peels, lasers, and physical methods (1-3). Although multiple interventions are available, skin-whitening agents, due to their simplicity and convenience, continue to be the mainstay of approach to either lighten skin (individuals who wish to change or modify their skin color) in the cosmetic field or depigment skin (treatment for abnormal hyperpigmentation skin such as melasma, freckles, and actinic lentigines) in the clinical therapy. Commonly used whitening agents include hydroquinone, arbutin, kojic acid, ascorbic acid, and its derivatives. Their efficacy, mechanism, and safety have been extensively reviewed (4). This chapter revises the previous version (4) and updates current progress.
