Feedback on Retin-A Side Effects and Usage, page 57
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: No side effects
Date: 9/10/2009
I have been using retin-a micro 4 days ago and I haven’t experience any side effects such as dryness, peeling, redness, etc.. Does that mean the product is not working on me? Or should I wait a feel days? I used the product as directed (applying a pea-size amount 20 mins after I wash my face with a gentle cleanser)
Sandra
AskDocWeb: It sounds like you may be expecting action within days that may take weeks to happen. According to the instructions, a worsening of the condition may or may not occur during the early weeks of acne therapy.
Subj: Brown facial spots
Date: 9/13/2009
Would like to find out if retin a is good for brown facial spots?
Karlene
AskDocWeb: Yes, Retin A is used to rebuild sun-damaged skin (damage from years of tanning), reduce or eliminate brown spots, liver spots, gray growths and even precancerous lesions. There are some new treatments coming out that sound very promising. They are topical creams that combine anti-inflammatory medications with Retin-A for exceptional results.
Subj: Sunscreen
Date: 9/16/2009
Use of sunscreen seems a scant topic here. staying out of the sun will decrease additional lines and sunspots. Retin-A and renova and retinol, salicylic acids, and alpha hydroxy–all of them make your skin even more sensitive to sunlight. Everyone should be wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen, but even more so if you are using these products. You can hardly improve if you don’t prevent.
Nielsen
Subj: Trying it again
Date: 9/16/2009
I used Retin-A when it was first introduced, I was 35. My skin errupted, got red, swollen, and crusty. The doc told me to keep using it daily. Eventually it “accomodated” the medication and became really nice. I have really good skin, but now have brown spots. Fast forward 30 years, and I am using it again. Five days of usage, and I am a mess again. The doc told me to quit for several days and use a cortizone cream to calm down my skin. Do you think I will be able to go back and use Retin-A every over day or every third day to keep my skin wrinkle free and brown spot free?
Dee
AskDocWeb: That is possible but remember to give your skin a chance to get used to it. Be sure to read the instructions carefully to make sure you are following them correctly.
Subj: .1% Trenton cream mixed with moisturizer
Date: 9/17/2009
I have been using .1% trentonin cream mixed with moisturizer because my skin is fairly sensitive and I use it either 2 or 3 times a week. I have used it for about 6 weeks. My skin has peeled very slightly about 2 or 3 times in that time period, just around the nose and lips a little. I like how my skin feels, it is softer and much more exfoliated, but I have not really noticed a decrease in wrinkles too much, maybe a little. My question is this, how much should I be peeling to get the effects I want. I have been careful not to use too much retin a because my skin does peel more and my eyes get puffy, but should I be a little more brave and let my skin get slightly irritated to see the results or hold back and just wait it out to see the results. Does that make sense?
Kristie
AskDocWeb: The instructions say that more than 6 or 7 weeks of treatment may be needed before consistent beneficial effects appear. If you want better results after that then you may want to call on your bravery to experiment.
Subj: Skin pimples
Date: 9/17/2009
Hi! I am 15 and I just have breakouts and under the skin pimples on my forehead and chin. I am even crying right now as we speak because I cannot take this anymore! I have had these large conjesion areas FOREVER! I used Retin A about 1 year ago and I used pledgits and other harmfull things that made my face really try and extremly bad. So I stopped use using that altogether. Now I am still in the same situation 1 year later and I think I should just try the retin A, I have the .1% one…is that too strong? Because I really dont want alot of side effects. I go to high school so I feel like I cannot take 2 months of acne face and for it to get worse, because it is already bad. Also should I use the pledgits two? Or what do you reccomend? Please help me I dont know what to do anymore I cant keep living with this face!!! Please e-mail me back! Thanks for taking you time to read this.
Lauren
AskDocWeb: We advise against using anyone else’s medication. That will only get you in trouble. If you think you need a prescription drug to treat this, get your doctor to take a look. The .1% may be too little to too much. Only your doctor can say what would be best for your situation.
Subj: Severe anxiety
Date: 9/20/2009
I started using Retin-A for old acne scars in my face. Shortly after, I starting suffering from SEVER anxiety. Even though it is not listed as a side effect, it does not mean that anxiety/depression is not possible. After all it is absorbed into your bloodstream…you skin is you body’s largest organ. be careful. I went off of this drug and will not ever go on it again or recommend it to others.
Cary
Subj: Facial hair growth?
Date: 9/22/2009
Can Retin-A increase facial hair growth?
Steph
AskDocWeb: Although there are a few comments about increased facial hair associated with Retin-A, it is not listed as a side effect by the manufacturer.
Subj: Flat warts
Date: 9/23/2009
I was prescribed a rotating schedule of using Aldara one night and Retin A the next for flat warts on my forehead. I have a lot of redness and severe flaking going on, and I was told not to use a moisturizer. The warts themselves are embarrassing and seem to be even worse especially after the nights when I use Aldara. What can I do? I am a nineteen year old girl in college and it is simply awful.
Kat
AskDocWeb: That can be pretty bad but there really isn’t much you can do about it beyond treatment and makeup. It may take up to a maximum of 16 weeks so you will have to be patient.
Subj: Squamous cell carcinomas
Date: 9/26/2009
My son used Retin A as a teenager for a severe case of acne. Now he is having many squamous cell carcinomas removed from his face and most recently on his ear. Is there a connection?
Ilia
AskDocWeb: Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) is the 2nd most common skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma. SCC can occur anywhere on the body but appears most commonly in areas exposed to the sun. It sometimes spreads to other parts of the body. Retin-A is NOT known to cause this but it IS used to treat and prevent new skin cancers in people who have an increased risk of developing skin cancer.
Subj: Dents cleared up
Date: 9/27/2009
I also have used Retin A for years. My face had alot of ‘dents’ in it from acne. The ‘dents’ are pretty much cleared up. I have used .025% cream and I am nwo considering the .05% cream. I DO NOT use this cream around my eyes, per the instruction. It is not made for around your eyes OR making wrinkles disappear. This product helps remove old tissue from your skin and replace it with newer tissue. My mother also has used it for years and her skin is smooth and shiny at age 76!
Denise
Subj: Very oily skin
Date: 9/27/2009
I have been using Differin gel for several years, and it had worked well. For the last year, it has stopped working so the dermatologist upped the strength from .1 to .3%. The higher strength Differin has failed to work either. I want to try Retin-A for acne and wrinkles. I used to use the micro-gel until that stopped working. Someone suggested I begin with .05 Retin-A cream, but I have very oily skin. I’ve read the gel is for oily skin, and the cream is for dry skin. If I’m already used to the Differin .3%, what Retin-A strength would you recommend I begin with? Thanks for your response.
Sheri
AskDocWeb: Your dermatologist will decide what strength would be appropriate based on your skin condition.
Subj: Flaky, extremely dry skin
Date: 9/27/2009
I’ve been usin’ retin-a 0.05 for two weeks. I’ve noticed that I have been gettin’ flaky and extremely dry skin… I’ve been usin’ proactive renewing cleanser in the shower; it has 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, will this be a problem for my skin? Or is this good? At this point in time, there is no harsh problems just those flaky and dry skin. Also I’m usin’ the non-oil spf 15 moustirizer in the day time, is this good?… and also the first time I used retin-a 0.05 cream I had dark areas due to this cream, cause by the sun, will it go away? Please help me with my questions.
Dominc
AskDocWeb: Since you have been using Retin-A for only two weeks your skin is still getting used to it and your skin is likely to get worse before it gets better. Most users say that a good moisturizer is a must but SPF 15 is the minimum sunscreen protection. If your skin is especially sensitive to the sun, you may need stronger protection to prevent dark spots caused by sunlight. It is quite possible that these will fade if you continue to use Retin-A and protect yourself from too much sun.
Subj: How long does it take to calm down?
Date: 9/29/2009
I started using Retin-A about 3 weeks ago and immediately noticed my forehead wrinkles had improved. However, it seems that the skin is thinning. Is this possible? Also, I had very mild acne and now my chin is a disaster area, the likes of which I have not seen since high school, if ever. I realize it is dredging up previously unseen clogged pores but how long does it take to calm the heck down? Thanks.
DD
AskDocWeb: Things are likely to start calming down after the third week but more than 6 or 7 weeks of treatment may be needed before consistent beneficial effects appear.
Subj: Alcohol free facial cleanser?
Date: 9/29/2009
Hi, I been perscribed with Retin A gel 2 weeks ago. It said that I can’t use alcohol or product that contains it in my face. But lots of face cleanser has got alcohol, is there any face wash that you recommend I could use?
Sue
Subj: Hydroquinone with Retin-A?
Date: 10/2/2009
I started using retino-a .5%. Its almost 3 weeks I have been using but I am not having any peeling. Is it normal. Can I use hydroquinone 4% while using retino-a?
Sus
AskDocWeb: We don’t know if hydroquinone would be safe for your particular skin but many other people are using it in conjunction with Retin-A with good results. These two have been used on alternate nights for two weeks before beginning laser treatments, continued throughout the treatments, and after the series of laser treatments.
Please note that on August 29, 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a ban on over-the-counter sales of cosmetic products containing hydroquinone. According to the FDA, animal studies show “some evidence” that hydroquinone may act as a carcinogen or cancer-causing agent, although its cancer-causing properties have yet to be proved in humans.
Subj: Headaches
Date: 10/5/2009
I just started using retina this week and I also have been expierenceing headaches…perhaps it is a type of allergic reaction…it seems to be in the sinus area. I saw one other question about it.
Liz
AskDocWeb: The obvious and easy way to find out is to discontinue it for a few days and see if you feel any better.
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