Feedback on Retin-A Side Effects and Usage, page 56
About Retin-a
If you’ve used Retin-A, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
Subj: Birth defects?
Date: 8/13/2009
I have read that using Retin-A .025% during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Is this true and if so, what kind of birth defects?
Barb
AskDocWeb: There is a warning by the manufacturer that says if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, do not use Retin A. We have no data on what the affect might be but please take the warning seriously.
Subj: Bladder/urethra irritation
Date: 8/15/2009
I have been using retin a for years and last summer began using it all over my body for brown spots. It worked well but am now suffering with bladder/urethra irritation and am going to urologist this week. When I stop using symptoms abate.
Alison
Subj: Not peeling
Date: 8/16/2009
Hi I have been using this since June 5, and I still haven’t seen any results. I use only 3 times a week usually on my whole face but now try every day on only my eye area. Is that bad that I don’t do it everyday? My skin becomes so dry that I cant but I went through the tough stage already (the flaking and such) now there’s just no results. I read up there something about peeling after like a month or so? How does that work why haven’t I peeled yet? I am 23 and alot of under eye wrinkles so that’s my main concern. If you can please tell me why its not working or what I am doing wrong and how I can get it to the stage of peeling or whatever that will work because its been 2 and a half months.
Margie
AskDocWeb: The peeling has been reported by those using Retin-A every day but since you only use it 3 times a week, you may not experience that. Remember that the use of a moisturizer is recommended to keep your skin from becoming too dry.
Subj: No peeling
Date: 8/17/2009
I was using pres. retin a off and on for a year only peeling around mouth. I just started using every day and I have no peeling. Is that normal. I was using Janssen brand now J & J. Is the J & J brand weaker? Do you have to peel at all?
Lois
AskDocWeb: Retin-A comes in different strength solutions, look for a number expressed as a percentage. If your skin becomes adjusted to the Retin-A slowly enough, you may not experience the peeling, which is not required in order to get the full benefits.
Subj: Skin becoming very dark and peeling
Date: 8/17/2009
I have been using Retin A for about 3 weeks now some areas are becoming very dark and is peeling. I am worried the darkness will not go away.
Atiyya
Subj: Peeling, pimples, and whiteheads
Date: 8/18/2009
I started using Retin A a week ago and now my face is peeling and is completely out of control with very sore pimples and whiteheads(yuck). My skin is peeling also. How much longer until this starts to clear up? This really is awful!
Kassie
AskDocWeb: You should begin to notice results after 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. More than 6 or 7 weeks of treatment may be needed before consistent beneficial effects appear.
Subj: Precancerous skin cells, stretch marks?
Date: 8/18/2009
I’m 48. I have been using Retin A on and off for several years. I thought I needed to stop occassionally so my skin doesn’t develop a tollerance. Today my doc told me it should be used long term and can thicken the epiderma? I did not know that. Also she said she’s seen research that Retin A can kill precancerous skin cells? Anyone know the answer or have experience with that? I’m not seeing any downside and plan to use it 365 days a year. I wonder if it is effective on stretch marks? The cost is not an issue if it works.
Lynn
AskDocWeb: Retin A has been used successfully to reduce or eliminate precancerous lesions. Using Several women have reported using Retin-A for stretch marks but that would be an off-label use as it is intended for use on your face.
Subj: Dark spots
Date: 8/22/2009
I have been using retin-a for about two months and I still have lots of dark spots, will these spots get lighter. I have noticed my lesions on my back have been getting smaller but the dark sots are not improving.
Trina
AskDocWeb: The lightening affect of Retin-A on dark spots is the slowest benefit to develop. That may take a few months.
Subj: Retin-A continuously or intermittently?
Date: 8/23/2009
Hello, I’ve been using retin a micro for almost two years, just to improve my skin and decrease wrinkles and it really works. But, at some point my skin has to get used to it. But does that mean I should stop for a bit and then continue, then stop etc? Earlier you told someone that people use it for years and some people take breaks but you didn’t explain why and what to do if your skin becomes immune to it… Can you please clarify this for me? Thanks!
Victoria
AskDocWeb: For most people, the decision to use Retin-A continuously or intermittently is just a personal choice. After all, there is some expense involved and not everyone can afford it. There is no data to suggest that your skin might become immune to it.
Subj: Dark patches of skin
Date: 8/26/2009
I’ve been using retin-a for a few months, and the skin around my mouth got very dark, kind’ve like dark patches of skin. It was so embarassing! I didn’t know if using retin-a over it would make it worse, so I told my doctor and she just told me to discontinue using it and referred me to a specialist. I went back on the retin-a now, and I used some on these darkened patches and at first it was lightening, and now its back to being irritated and causing black patches…what should I do?
Sabah
AskDocWeb: Hopefully you kept the name of that specialist because it sounds like a good time to take advantage of your doctor’s advice.
Subj: Using Retin-A on hands
Date: 8/26/2009
Hi, I am 33 old and I am using Retina A without consulting the doctor. This cream is working slowly but I have not experienced peeling but a little bit dryness. I want to know can I use this creame on my hands at the same time.
Urmila
AskDocWeb: Retin-A is intended for the treatment of acne and is only approved to be used on those areas where acne occurs, not for use on your hands. There are no studies conducted on the use of Retin-A on other than approved areas. That is considered “off-label use” and while there may or may not be a benefit, there is little information available about the results of such use. Using any prescription drug without consulting a doctor is not recommended.
Subj: Skin has worsen significantly
Date: 8/31/2009
I’ve just started using Retin-A (0.05%) with a combination for Triamcinolone/Ketoconazole/ L-Acid 30G and I’m also using and Clindamycin HCL 2% spray. Since week two my skin has worsen significantly, with blackhead now appearing in the tonnes. Could I be having an allergic reaction to these medicine? And should I stop or continue? I’ve only been on this treatment for 3 weeks. It sees like it’s getting worst. It sees like it’s getting worst.
PepperMC
AskDocWeb: The instructions do say that a worsening of the condition may occur during the early weeks of acne therapy. This is not a reason to discontinue therapy, but do notify your doctor if it occurs. This happens when previously unseen areas of inflammation come to the surface.
Subj: Sunscreen
Date: 9/4/2009
Can I use sunscreen while using retin-A.
Mona
AskDocWeb: Yes, the use of sunscreen is recommended because the skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight which increases the chance of sunburn.
Subj: Dryness and peeling
Date: 9/5/2009
I am currently using the Retin-A medication. I made the mistake of wanting my acne gone so badly, that I used the medication more than I should have (once a night). I put the medication on any chance I got. Now my skin is peeling pretty severly, and burning. I have been using moisturizer frequently. I am using the medication once a night, with a small amount of the Retin-A. I am in desperate need of how to reduce the peeling QUICKLY, as I am so embarrassed and self-concieous to go in public. I have 3 days until we head back to school after the weekend, and I would like to be able have the dryness and peeling gone by then if possible. Please help.
Caroline
AskDocWeb: Sorry to hear that you didn’t follow the instructions. Users have reported that the quickest way to get rid of the dryness and peeling is to discontinue use and start using a moisturizer. Unfortunately, even if you completely discontinued use, it is likely to take more than just 3 days to clear up.
Subj: Is this normal?
Date: 9/6/2009
I used retin -a for 2 months and the 1st month was good my face appear slight hyperpigmentation no acne formed. By second month of using retin a my face become worse a lot of inflammatory acne form in my face and some are csytic acne. What should I do to subside my inflammatory lesion appear? Is it normal that when you used retin – a your acne become worse and some blistered crust appear and swelling???
Laurence
AskDocWeb: This seems to be a common complaint here. The instructions say that during the early weeks of acne therapy, a worsening of the condition may occur due to the action of Retin-A on deep, previously unseen areas of inflammation. This is not a reason to discontinue therapy, but do notify your doctor if it occurs.
Subj: Retin A works for the wrinkles
Date: 9/7/2009
I have been using Retin A for more than two years now. It’s working really well and I am happy to know it works for the wrinkles too. Most people are scared that it will dry their skin so they don’t use it. Retin A used with a good non-comedogenic moisturizer will prevent the peel off, so you shouldn’t worry about that. Also don’t expect to see results in the first month, this will happen a little later, but it will happen.
Alexandra
Subj: Dark spots
Date: 9/8/2009
Hello, I have been using retinol 0.5 (refining night cream) mixing it with obagi products (blender) for the past 7 months and at first all looked great but now I have dark spots on my cheek bones and upper lip. I use SPF protection. I wear hats when I am in the sun. Truly! I am scared because it looks gross! How can I get rid of it? Do I stop using the retinol 0.5 for a while? Do I just use the blender from Obagi? Can someone help? Thank you;}
Monica
AskDocWeb: Since you have already covered the SPF protection there are four general methods left; fade creams, chemical peels, and dermabrasion, and laser resurfacing. Fade creams with hydroquinone work to stop the production of melanin in the skin, which in turn lightens the dark skin spots.
Chemical peels, when given by dermatologists or trained spa technicians, can remove skin discoloration in as little as an hour, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Chemical peels using glycolic acid are generally considered safe for all adults but it may take a series of treatments over the course of a month to get the desired results.
Dermabrasion is essentially a “sanding down” the skin’s surface with a rotating brush or a diamond wheel. The downside is that patients commonly experience redness and temporary scabbing afterwards, forcing patients who undergo it to wait a full 8 to 12 days before returning to a normal appearance.
If you are not afraid of a little pain, laser resurfacing is an in-office treatment that can deliver dramatic results. Dermatologists can use a laser to burn off dark spots in as little as one treatment. As with any procedure involving laser therapy, resurfacing can be especially painful because redness, peeling, and scabbing may occur in the days following the procedure. Laser resurfacing is also among the most costly options for treating dark spots as treatments can cost up to $5,000 per session.
Subj: Re: Barbara date 3/24/2006
Date: 9/9/2009
I am using Retin-a 0.05% for Basal Cell Carcinoma. Can you tell how it effected you and how you know if the BCC had changed or gone all together?
Kay
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