Discoloration after retinoids that doesn't go away after stopping for a while. Is this normal? What are my options?

Thanks for your question and helpful photos.  It is obvious that you have very lightly pigmented skin, and often as our skin gets more mature with time, the pink blood vessels and redness can show through more prominently.  Retin-a is wonderful for helping with fine lines and wrinkles, but it can make the skin appear more red.  Please see a dermatologist that has an arsenal of lasers and experience, and see if they would recommend some treatments with IPL or a vascular laser on a very low setting to help minimize the redness.  Also make sure you are using an excellent quality, physical blocking sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide which well help the skin stay evenly pigmented and let less light and heat onto the delicate skin.   Best of luck!

Thank you for your question and photographs. A common side effect of retinoids is redness and irritation. With that being said, it's difficult to determine what is causing your redness and discoloration without an in-person examination. I highly recommend you consult with a board certified dermatologist to have your skin evaluated and to discuss treatment options that best suit your needs. Take care and good luck.