Feedback on Retin-A Side Effects and Usage, page 7
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. You can use the form below to add your comments, feedback or Retin-a review.
Subj: Retin A for wrinkles around mouth
Date: 5/31/2005
Can Retin A 0.1% be used for wrinkles around the mouth i.e. upper lip from tanning and smoking as long as it doesn’t get into your mouth, and also be used to lighten age spots on the face? I just bought some of each in Mexico and the pharmacist told me the Renova 0.05% is for age spots and the Retin A is for wrinkles. Also, products bought in Mexico, are they the same strength and pharmocoligical makeup as U.S.? I’m currently using glycolic acid face wash and glycolic acid face cream with a non glycolic acid moisturizer. Help!! I’m confused! Is Retin A better for reducing wrinkles than glycolic acid, or do they produce the same results? I’m looking forward to hearing your response. Thank you for taking the time to explain this to me!
Keri
AskDocWeb: Other countries have different quality control standards than the USA, some are higher but most are lower. You would have better luck using Renova for wrinkles around the mouth.
Subj: Burn mark under nose
Date: 6/1/2005
Help, I’ve been using retin a and I have a burn mark the size of a dime under my nose. I had a cold and from blowing my nose so much it caused irritation and now “elephant/lizard” looking skin under my nose. What is the best salve that I can use to clear this up? Thank you,
Mary
AskDocWeb: Sounds like you need to hold off on the Retin A for a while, at least in that area. There are over-the-counter medications such as topical steroids that will reduce inflammation and lubricants that will keep moisture in your skin. You could use cornstarch, baking soda or colloidal oatmeal to bath the area with a half-hour soak each day. Avoid soap and sunlight, don’t rub the area and it should be gone in 5 to 10 days. If the irritation spreads, see a dermatologist.
Subj: Long term use of Retin-A
Date: 6/4/2005
I been using Retina-A for ten yrs and my skin is beautiful! But it is very delicate due to the use of it- not all moisturizers work on me either. My question is- Is it true that Retina-A thins out your skin? And can it be used for the rest of ones life?
D
AskDocWeb: Yes, and as far as the rest of your life, better ask your dermatologist. We have heard from women that have used it for more than ten years with good results.
Subj: Sun sensitive
Date: 6/5/2005
I’m 51 and trying to use Retin A for wrinkles and fine lines. I seem to be sensitive to retin a in the summer heat. I use a strong sunscreen, but just the heat causes my cheeks to turn pink. If I keep using it will my skin get use to it or should I wait until cooler months to start using it again. Also, is 51 to old to start seeing results on fine lines and wrinkles. Thank you
Jasmine
AskDocWeb: You would have better luck using Renova for fine lines and wrinkles. For best results, stay completely out of the sun, winter and summer.
Subj: 7 years with Retin A Micro Gel
Date: 6/10/2005
Retin A Micro Gel is the only product I have found that minimizes my enlarged pores, evens out my skin tone, keeps acne at bay, AND prevents wrinkles. I have been using the product for 7 years and I am now 34 years old. I am frequently mistake for a college student because my skin is amazing. Yes, Retin-A burned and stung in the beginning. I simply used it every other day before building up to daily use.
Nina
Subj: Importance of following directions
Date: 6/18/2005
It’s essential to follow the direction about allowing washed skin to dry for 30 minutes before applying Retin-A. When I first started using it I would apply the cream immediately and had extreme peeling the next morning. Now, after following the directions and waiting 30 minutes for the skin to dry completely I have no problems at all.
The directions also say to avoid the corners of the nose, mouth and eyes. Again, when first using the cream I didn’t realize this was an issue, and saw peeling in those areas. Now I avoid the corners and have no peeling. I use the cream under the eyes (away from the corners) keeping about a half inch away, with great results. Use sun screen!
Anon
Subj: Inexpensive alternative
Date: 6/20/2005
Long story short, I’m 31, I had SOME fine lines, and now they are gone… A single tube lasts a long time! Retin-A is a GREAT inexpensive alternative to many of the expensive commercial skin care brands on the market. I’ve tried other solutions with dismal results until my dermatologist recommended me Retin-A; Retin-A worked reasonably well for me.
Jules
Subj: Improving skin texture
Date: 6/22/2005
I’ve just given up smoking and hoping to improve my skin texture and appearance and started using Retin A 2 weeks ago. How long before you should start getting results. Just going through the peeling stage now. Thanks,
Jeni
AskDocWeb: Just a little while longer, maybe a couple of weeks, be patient.
Subj: Dry skin
Date: 6/22/2005
I have been using retin-a gel .025% for 5 weeks now to treat discoloration on my cheeks, upper lips (I look like I have a mustache), and mild wrinkles. I’m 39. I notice that my skin is very dry. How does retin-a help with the wrinkles if it makes the skin dry and flaky? And will retin-a really help fade my discoloration on my face…its so depression. The discoloration is cause from tri-luma I believe.
Pua
AskDocWeb: The dry skin problem is shared by many. You can use a good moisturizer but apply it at a different time of day than the Retin-A. Any birth control pill can cause a discoloration of the skin on your face.
Subj: Storing Retin-A
Date: 6/23/2005
How can I store retin-a if the room temperature gets hotter than 29 degrees Celsius in the summer? Thanks,
Bet
AskDocWeb: Sometimes you just have to do the best you can. Try the coolest place you can find.
Subj: Long history of acne
Date: 6/25/2005
I’m 40 years old with a long history of acne, scarring, large pores and very oily skin. Today after about 3 months of using Tretinoin Cream 0.025%, my skin is so clear and even looking, it’s amazing. My acne started to subside about 10 years ago, but I still have those stubborn ones around my chin and jaw line and an occasional pimple on my cheeks. I still have very oily skin, so I blot a lot with a Kleenex several times a day, but I have no wrinkles at all (the only benefit of oily skin) and I do put a moisturizer in the morning along with a sunblock. I rarely go out in the sun, but I have this summer and my skin is so even and nice, it’s amazing.
This is going to sound harsh, but after I wash my skin at night with regular soap (yes soap), I use a cotton ball with acetone (yes nail polish remover) to really dry my face out. It stings for the first 10 seconds, but it gets a lot of dirt and oil and dries my face out really good. Then after a 20 minutes (before my face starts getting oily again) than I add a pea size amount of the Tretinoin cream and massage it up all over my face and even under my eyes, but not even close to my eyelashes, of course. In the beginning, I did notice tightness and stinging and then peeling, but I then backed off the cream the next day or two and continued with the regimen. I have had so many compliments on my color and evenness. It’s worth the first month of aggravation!
I should say that I have used this before about 10+ years ago when my acne was still flared, and it cleared up my skin but after about 9 or so months, I quit. It was due to that my dermatologist gave me a really high strength. I really like the low strength better. If I were to counsel others, it would be to use the lowest strength possible, FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS, and be PATIENT! Good luck!
Sandy
Subj: Any suggestions?
Date: 6/28/2005
I’m currently using retin-a for acne and I also have rosacea. My skin looks worst than it did. Around my chin I have patches of red skin and red spots all over my cheeks. Does this stage go away? I use my rosacea medicine in the mornings and retin-a at night. Any suggestions?
Melissa
AskDocWeb: It would be helpful to know how long ago you started. Just wait and be patient.
Subj: Bad acne
Date: 6/29/2005
I have pretty bad acne, and after using retin-a for about a week its gotten worse. Should I continue or ask my doctor for something else? Should I ask my doctor about a course of Accutane to go along with this application of Retin-A. Thanks
Nemo
AskDocWeb: We have had several reports about skin condition becoming worse before it gets better. Be patient, your skin goes through stages in getting used to this medication.
Subj: Stopping Retin-A?
Date: 7/8/2005
I have a question: I’ve been using Retin-A since I was 11, and I’m now 22. It works great, but I’m tired of my skin burning so easily and thought I might have grown out of having acne by now. If I stop using it, how long will it take before I see if my acne will come back? If it does come back, how long will it take the Retin-A to start working again?
Liz
AskDocWeb: Let’s hope your acne will not return now that you are older. If it does it is likely to return within the first 4 to 6 weeks. If you start using Retin-A again, you will go through the first stages with retin-a as you did before.
Subj: Difficulty sleeping when using Retin A
Date: 7/11/2005
I started taking a .10 concentration level of Retin A about 4 weeks ago. I have noticed difficulty sleeping since I started taking this medication, but my skin looks fine – a difficult trade off. My insomnia seems to grow in proportion to the more I apply. Is there a link between this medication and insomnia? Would it help to reduce the concentration level to .025%?
Brad
AskDocWeb: Insomnia is not a listed side effect for Retin-A. Of course, if it were the cause of your sleep problems, trying a lower strength would be a good idea.
Subj: Accutane
Date: 7/12/2005
I finished using a six month course of Accutane. When finished, my acne was completely cleared. I decided to use retin a to help heal the skin. About six months after the end of my Accutane cycle, the acne returned and my skin became oily again. Any thoughts?
Jesse
AskDocWeb: After discontinuing the Accutane, your body went back to its normal state.
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