Article medically reviewed by Dr. Gavin Chan (MBBS, cosmetic physician, liposuctionist)

Templestowe Lower and Berwick Clinics
Dr. Gavin Chan has a background in intensive care, anaesthesia, and emergency medicine. Since 2004, Dr. Chan has provided cosmetic procedures, including anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, liposuction, fat transfer, skin needling, and laser treatments. He is a doctor trainer for various dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections.
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Question:
What is in Kligman’s formula?
Answer:
Kligman’s formula has hydroquinone (4%-5%), tretinoin (0.025% to 0.1%), and hydrocortisone 1%
The hydroquinone is a tyrosinase inhibitor that stops production of melanin (skin pigment). Tretinoin helps skin turnover and ‘flushes’ pigmentation out. Hydrocortisone stops inflammation caused by tretinoin/hydroquinone as inflammation can cause pigmentation.
It is the gold standard in skin lightening.