Retin-A Q&A
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Will Retin-A Make my Skin Worse Before It Gets Better?
asked 1 year ago by madison79 in LG, WI
Latest answer by Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Question viewed 1,289 times
Tags: results
Ive just started using Retin-A for acne and was wondering if it could cuz breakouts until Im used to using it. Ive heard about the possibitly of causing dry skin and flaking but concerned about the breakouts. I know its not a miracle and wont see improvement right away just so im not shocked if I notice more breakouts than usual. I appreciate any answers and thanks in advance!
5 answers to Will Retin-A Make my Skin Worse Before It Gets Better?
+2
Retin A for photoaging and acne
If you do not have acne now, the risk that it may worsen with starting Retin A is small. Even for acne-prone skin, there are ways of minimizing initial dryness, flaking and acne breakouts.
Retinoids, like Retin A, are excellent products for both photoaging and acne. They do take close to 4 months of consistent use to see results. The good news is that results continue improving as you continue using the products.
I recommend starting Retin A slowly, twice a week...
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+2
Retin A
Retin A is a great treatment for slowing the signs of photoaging of the skin. On occasion when first using this cream, irritation, dryness, redness and scaling may occur. This resolve with time or with decreasing the amount applied or frequency. Occasionally, this irritation flares an acne break out but this should be short lived as it is a very effective treatment for acne.
+2
Retin-A
REtin-A is a wonderful drug but must be slowly implemented with proper education and avoidance of sun exposure and liberal use of mositurizers.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2
Treating Acne with Retinoids
The bad news about all acne treatments is that they typically will take about 6 weeks to effect the overall severity. As a physician, this is often the hardest part of caring for a patient. The statement, "I started on Retin-A, my skin is red and flaky and my acne is no better, I'm quitting" is a common one. Retinoids are a good treatment for acne and if you give it 6 weeks, the likelihood is that your skin will be better.
Joseph Campanelli, MD
Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon
Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Retin-A can cause redness, irritation, and flaky skin. Acne breakouts could occur, but get better quickly.
Since Retin-A acts to increase metabolic activity in the upper layers of the skin, exfoliation, more rapid cellular turnover, and increased skin thickness due to increased vascularity needed to support this activity are normal responses as patients start this therapy. Acne generally gets better as the upper dead skin cells slough off more rapidly, new skin cells push off the dry dead layers, and excess oils are reduced. 'BUT, you can have some irritation, redness, and dryness that...
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