Can Retin A or Renova Be Used on the Chest and Neck?

The only barrier to the use of retinol on just about any skin is the price.  I would focus the product on the most sun damaged areas which are generally the face and hands followed by the upper chest and neck.

Tretenoin products like Renova and Retin-A are helpful where ever there is skin damage. By all means use it as tolerated in all of the areas that you mentioned. We recommend starting with the lowest dosage, than gradually increase the  strength as tolereated.

Retin A is great for the chest and neck.Combined with sun protection it will help reverse sun damage.

Retin-A is a great product to minimize fine lines and sun damage.  It should be used anywhere you have sun damage, including the neck, chest, and hands.  If you can work up to a higher percentage of Retin-A, you will also see more noticeable results.  You correctly point out the importance of sun avoidance and protection.  A powerful sunscreen is required with the use of Retin-A, especially given the cost of Retin-A.  

I believe that everyone should be using a retinoid if they can tolerate it! It definitely works on the chest and neck, but skin irritation and cost are the drawbacks. Also, it can make your skin slightly more sensitive to the sun, so be sure to wear sunscreen.

Retin-A creams are beneficial in any sun damaged area or area where you are trying to improve appearance such as the back of the hands, forearms, neck and chest. These products are the most studied anti-aging products on the market and considered the gold standard topical product as far as results. It helps improve texture and tone of skin, reduces brown spots and hyperpigmentation, and helps with fine lines. It can often be combined with other anti-aging treatments such as Botox, fillers, peels etc.

Frankly, I'd bathe in tretinoin or tazarotene if I could, becasue retinoids do so much to improve the appearance of aging skin. It is not only safe, but recommended on the hands, neck, and chest, especially if you are doing any laser or peel treatments. Of course, daily sunscreen is a must.

Retin-A (tretinoin cream) is the best option to reverse sun-damaged skin on the chest and neck, as well as the face. Treatment with Retin-A (tretinoin) should be individualized with factors such as age, skin type, degree of photodamage, and presence of other skin conditions taken into consideration. Therapy should start with a lower concentration such as 0.025% or 0.05% to minimize irritation and redness. Tretinoin cream should be applied in the evening to clean, dry skin at least 20 to 30 minutes after washing. The affected area is covered lightly and evenly. The generic form of Retin-A, tretinoin cream, is equally as effective and much less expensive. 

Retin-A is a magical.  No lotion or portion works as well for reversing aging of the skin.  It is expensive but have you priced the stuff a the beauty counter lately.  Those products are all very pricey and can't touch Retin-A in terms of effectiveness.

Lisa Lynn Sowder, M.D.