Botox and Retin-A? When I do get Botox in the glabella area, can I continue using Retin-A as my nightly regime?

Thank you for your question. You can definitely continue with your Retin-A after your Botox. Botox will help relax your 11s. I would avoid using Retin-A on the site few days before the Botox treatment to prevent any skin irritation. I would recommend daily use of SPF 30 with zinc especially when using Retin-A, which is a photosensitive medication. I hope this helps.

Thank you for your question about botox.  Botox and Retin A are great products but serve different purposes.  Retin-A accelerates skin cell turn over and sheds the dead layer of skin (stratum corneum).  Botox helps address fine lines and wrinkles.  Botox is a purified protein that temporarily blocks the communication between the muscles and nerves where it is injected.  It is perfectly safe and reasonable to continue using Retin-A and receive botox at the same time.   
To be sure you receive the best treatment, see two or more experienced, licensed and board-certified providers in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have treatment. I hope this helps.

Using retin A and Botox is not a contraindication. So, you can still use your nightly regime of retin A and get your Botox.

It's perfectly fine to continue with your Retin-A at night prior to cosmetic Botox injections, and after. Botox is injected into the musculature that contributes to the "eleven's" and your topical treatment wouln't interfere.

It is perfectly fine to use Retin-A the night before having a Botox treatment and it is also fine to continue with nightly use of Retin-A after the treatment.  

Botox works on the underlying muscles, while Retin-A works in the dermis so they can be used together to soften wrinkles. You can continue using Retin-A nightly. Make sure to apply sun protection everyday, but especially when using a product like Retin-A the night before. 

There should be no  problem of using  Botox and Retin-A together as each works differently and should have no effect on each other.

Retin A and Botox alone are great anti-aging treatments.  The two combined just compliment one another.  Botox is injected into the muscle and Retin A is a topical prescription.  The ony reason I would avoid Retin A the day of procedure is from a sensitivity standpoint.  Most of my patients do not stop their Retin A the day of procedure and do just fine.

Dear cici99fromcali,

Botox and Retin-A are both extremely popular anti-aging treatments and can be used together.

For best treatment of the "11" lines, you may wish to combine Botox and Retin-A with filler treatments such as Restylane, Juvederm, or Belotero.

Warmest wishes,

Larry Fan, MD

Yes you can use Retin A before and after Botox, although I would avoid any rubbing of the frown lines for a few hours after Botox has been injected.  I suspect if you like the effects of Retin A, you will like Botox even more!  Good luck.