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

Question

My frown lines (the 11s) were very bad a few months ago, but since recently starting Retin-A .1% (applying a good dab on these 11s nightly), I started noticing a big improvement with these lines. They’re softening up greatly, although not quite completely gone. Question: When I do get Botox in the glabella area, can I continue using Retin-A as my nightly regime? I’d like to continue my successful skincare maintenance. Please advise. Also, will using Retin-A the night before Botox affect the injection?

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD · Answer

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.

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

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

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

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.

Joseph Cerni, DO · Answer

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.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

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

Cheryl A. Hull, MD · Answer

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.

Larry Fan, MD · Answer

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

Mark Schwartz, MD · Answer

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.

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

Answers (19)