“Did Retin A and Hydroquonine Permenantly Damage my Face??-San Jose, CA”

Hey San Jose,
Hopefully things got better! I'm on Retin-A micro right now and am only three weeks in and it blows! What was the outcome for you? Any tips?

Thanks!

I have heard that Hydriquonine, a skin lightening ingredient, is not good for sensitive skin. An alternative skin lighterner would be one that contains kojic acid which is better for skin prone to redness. Perhaps the Hydriquonine has aggravated the skin around your nose which is naturally thinner and more prone to broken capillaries than other areas of the face. The retinol you are using seems to have a low percentage of retinol. This would not be enough to irritate most skin types including sensitive skin. You said you are not peeling either, so I think you could probably say that the Hydriquonine is causing your problems. Why don't you try anti-inflammatory cleansers and creams containing ingredients such as camomile, green tea, fever few, and salicylic acid, which are all known to calm sensitive skin. Also, read "Skin Type Solution" which is a book that helps you identify what skin type you are and recommends products suited to your type. This has helped me tremendously with my sensitive pigmented skin. But, if you are still concerned, the best thing is to see a dermatologist and get professional advice.

Hi San Jose5976, How's your face now? Did the "VIBRADEM" facial worked for you? If so, how many times did you have to do the "VIBRADEM" facial? I have the same problem. For the last 3 months, I used .05% retin-a and 4% hydroquinone. My derm said it would fix my sun damage. However, My face is worst than before -- uneven peeling, broken capillaries around the nose, tone is even more blotchy and red. I look like a clown now. Emailed my derm. His response was uncaring, told me to go see him -- more $$$. So depressed :-((. Anyone out there want to give me some advice, please!!!

Scar4Life, I truly believe that the problem here is hydroquinone. This is known to make sensitive skin red and irritated. Find a skin lightener that doesn't contain this incredient. There is a lightener by Mela-D that I'm using, and its great because I have really sensitive skin prone to broken capillaries. I wouldn't use anything harsh which may cause damage.

I think the best thing for you to do is to discontinue using these products and let your skin recover. Make sure you wear sunscreen everyday and research products before using them. Sometimes you really need to look at your skin type and tailor a system that suits you. Get a new dermatologist to advise you if he/she is unhelpful.

Hydroquinone is quite damaging to the skin. I wouldn't use it.

Retin-A needs to be used very carefully if you have never used it before - your skin really needs to adjust to it. Some people are able to use it without any dryness or peeling and I think this is to do with how resilient the skin is to begin with.

On sensitive skin or new users you will need to start slowly, only using it once every 3-4 days and once it is fully absorbed, say about 20-30 minutes apply a basic moisturizer as this will buffer the action.

Rosehip oil is very soothing and calming and has regenerative properties and I apply it liberally when my skin is a bit overwhelmed by Retin-A use.

I too believe your prob might be the hydroquinone. I have had much experience with both. Read on. First, I used the strongest Retin-A for nearly 20 years and every time I went off of it, my skin texture got leathery and tiny wrinkles began to appear. The only reason I have been off of Retin-A for a few years is because after a Total FX treatment I had, my skin was too sensitive for a while to put anything at all on it - not in a bad way - it just took time to heal, and then, when I technically could, I actually didn't feel as if I needed to put anything on it, except sunscreen. My skin looked awesome for a good amount of time after the FX. Now that it's been about 3-4 years since I had the FX, I'm thinking of going back on it. Yes, it takes quite some time for the red to decrease and you may not be able to use the red label as I do. Many people just cannot take that strength. Now, I was told some years back to use hydroquinone for lightening. Holy smokes! I will NEVER use that stuff again. Everywhere I used that stuff, I broke out into BOILS. Nearly scarred me! I was horrified. I know it was gradual, but wow was they were bad and they took forever to get rid of. I do know many do not suffer like that from hydroquinone, but I sure as heck did. Additionally, as far as I have heard, there are recent health concerns regarding hydroquinone. You should look that up to make sure of the status on that. Hope that helps, though I realize I'm coming late in the game here to answer.

hi Sanjose 5976,
did you face recover from the retin-a nightmare?
Tretinoin messed up my face and I am worried my face will never be the same.

i would love an update.

thanks,
emily

Hi eme, I know your question was directed to the other San Jose, but if SanJose 5976 only used it three weeks, every other night, it certainly isn't enough for many, if not most, people to adjust to it. That's where a lot of bad press about tretinoin comes from, people who didn't use it long enough or used too high a dose for them, and gave up, did not try to wait out the irritation or try to modify the regimen or the type of creme they were using. I just note that because it's just, it skews the results and scares others away from it. And truly, there are some people who cannot handle it at all, and perhaps you are one. I've a lot of experience, not with just my own face, but with many friends who have used this. Everyone is different. But, on average, it definitely takes longer than three weeks to get past the irritation, negative effects that many people usually see. I too see several annoying things if I take a break, then I must acclimate again. A few of my friends stopped using it when they experienced the irritation, so they never got to find out if it would actually work. They were just too nervous, and of course, that's okay. Anyway, I have noticed, that more often than not, most of my friends are unable to handle the highest dose Retin-A, although I do okay with it, so they use the medium or lowest dose. I am interested to know how long it's been since you went off tretinoin, how long you were on it, and what problems you experienced, which might help others too on here. I've never heard or seen anyone who experienced permanent damage from it, even if they could not handle it. Have you seen your dermatologist? They should easily be able to evaluate what is going on with your face with regard to this drug. There are no mysteries with this drug. I have one friend who reacted VERY badly to it, but her skin recovered eventually. I also had one friend who got hers from Mexico, which I'd NEVER recommend, and she reacted very badly. Also, important to note, there are different forms and different ways tretinoin is mixed and some people are fine with one concoction and ENTIRELY unable to handle other types. Also, tretinoin does NOT thin the skin, as was suggested in this forum. It THICKENS it, which is what you want. It is very easy to find the information online about what this drug does, and pretty reliable info too, as it has been around simply forEVER. There is no evidence that Retin a causes permanent damage even in the literature. Just on a short term basis it can cause severe irritation and you may be one of the people that just can't use it at all. But do consider the lower concentrations and look into the different ointments, cremes, ie, if you have not already. It is one of about THREE topical things that has solid medical evidence behind it AND long term. Btw, in case you wonder about my credentials - I am a scientist and have worked in the medical field for a long time. And, the rest of my family is all doctors. That's where I'm coming from. I hope your face gets better soon! :)

I am a true believer of retin A.... I used this in my thirties for pigmented skin, I only used it for a couple of weeks on my entire face (the strongest one red) Well what I learned is your skin on your face is different in all areas u might b moist along the hairline and dryer around the cheeks, upper lip and nose that was my case... I exfoiliated the most in those areas, my smile lines completly gone! my cheeks tight and firm along w/upper lip skin, I actually feel my upper lip itself became fuller because of the skin tightening around the lip area I applied a thin coat every nite w/finger tips, after washing the face first w/fingers tips only (skin on skin) and in the morning wash face again if u use a wash cloth or any other material (U can scar your face)then splash astringent on with bare hands. Caution! make sure U have a counter 2 hold on to because this is excruciating! lasts about 2 sec. then apply sunscreen(35-40) u must apply everyday winter & summer! if u donot do this the sun will attact those new virgin areas of skin and u could really do harmful damage (ugly brown or red blistery skin) Well, I am now 3 mos. shy of Fifty and I have been told by many I look 38-39 My thanks 2 my doctor that told me it could take 10 yrs off my life...he was right! Oh, stay away from the crease around nostrils because this area will crack (tiny but painful) Remember this is like giving your face a derma peel thats done in a doctors office w/several visits $$$$ It only cost me a drs visit & fifty $$ Truthfully I feel like I had a partial face lift. I hoped that helped!

Totally agree with you Ms. Nelli. Yes, make sure to use sunscreen, protect face from photosensitivity that comes with using Retin-A.

I have been using Retin A .5 for about 3 weeks, in teh redness phase, but not terrible, will continue - but I noticed about ten skin tags - some tiny some larger on my chest and neck. does Retin A cause these? nothing else have changed in my regemin. if so, how do I get rid of the skin tags? much appreciate your replies!!

oh forgot to mention. I use the Retin A on my chest to get rid of brown spots. use a bit on my hands as well. no redness there.

I didn't uses, RETIN-A, but I used a product with retinol, 0.5 at first and for a week the 1.0 strength because there was no peeling or flaking...but then I have ENORMOUS orange peel enlarged pores wherever I put the cream, and I only used it for a little over a month! I've stopped immediately it's been 3 weeks. Enlarged pores still...but I hear to not use anything that can cause inflammation it can slowly go away. It surely has ruined my self esteem, hate the way my skin looks and I am only 26! I hope my pores will go back to normal. the acne scars that I had seemed to have got worse and created new dents. But I am hopeful with time it will subside. Anyone else have this issue with a retinol product?

I purchased Retinol A 0.5 and put it all over my face and went to bed. The next morning I washed my face and put it on again and then applied a moisturizer and then foundation. I did this for about four days in a row. My face has red sore spots on it on my cheeks and one red sore spot under my eye. My chin area is completely red and dried out and very touchy. My face burns to touch it and I dare not use foundation because it hurts to touch and only flakes off like dry skin. Now I noticed upon looking into the mirror that not only do I have red spots that I am treating with Bacitracin ointment and no Retinol A anymore but it looks like I am wearing a darker foundation than I normally wear. It is even around my jaw line, did my Retinol A do this or did I stain my face for good by using the foundation with the Retinol A on my face. Will the darkness go away soon or am I going to have to wait a month and do a TCA Chemical Peel all over my face. I also purchased Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid which I tried putting on one night when I took off my make-up and Retinol A and my face burned like fire so I learned not to mix the two of them by experiencing pain. I know the red spots will heal but what I am most concerned about is why my face turned dark just like where I wore my foundation. Please tell me that my face will lighten up and the dark brown stain will go away in a certain amount of time. I now realize I shouldn't have used the Retinol A four days in a week and only used it at bedtime instead of the daytime when I was wearing make-up over it. What can I do to take the brown off of my face and how quickly will my face heal. My chin area is very dry and really burns when I wash my face. The Bacitracin with pain killer helps numb my face so that it doesn't burn when I go to bed. Thank you for your answers, if anyone can help me I would appreciate your help. Tamm You may e-mail me at: tlesley@sbcglobal.net

does anyone have anywhere that they recommend to buy retin a from. I bought mine from chemist direct and it was only about £7.00. its a well known website but i'm just a bit unsure as i have seen it alot more pricey than that. doctor won't prescribe it to me. on the box it says tretinion cream u.s.p retino A 0.05% looks like it has indian writing underneath. I'm not sure. says made in india by johnson and johnson limited. worried it may be fake. i have just applied it and no burning at all. but maybe it burns with continued use. help someone please. you all seem to know alot more than me from experience. thanks x

I would steer clean from retinol products. It gave my cheeks an orange peel texture and gave me scars! I have pictures to prove it! I'm on month 4 not using retinol and my skin is slowly getting better. I'd stay away, I'm on 27 and retinol gave me the texture of a 60 maybe even 70 year old...in a few months i should have my old skin back i hope!

I have to be careful about how often I use Retin-A on my face or it makes my face have pink spots that sometimes become small sores in places. It also dries out my skin and I have to put Palmer's Cocoa Butter on it and keep rubbing it in to remove the dead skin. If I use it a little more than a week apart then I am good and my face fills out fuller and my skin gets softer. This is a medicine that you have to just practice using to see how your skin will react to it. It is a little too strong for me at 0.5 so I go easy on using it but I do like the end results when the spots go away. Tamm