Will Retin-A Make my Skin Worse Before It Gets Better?

Since Retin-A acts to increase metabolic activity in the upper layers of the skin, exfoliation, more rapid cellular turnover, and increased skin thickness due to increased vascularity needed to support this activity are normal responses as patients start this therapy. Acne generally gets better as the upper dead skin cells slough off more rapidly, new skin cells push off the dry dead layers, and excess oils are reduced. 'BUT, you can have some irritation, redness, and dryness that can cause slight swelling in the pores, which can lead to trapped sebum and the occasional outbreak or stray pimple! But only for a while as your skin acclimates to the effects of the Retin-A.

Start slowly, maybe every 3rd or 4th day at first, allowing your skin to recover between Retin-A exposures. As your skin tolerates the effects better, you can increase to every other day, and eventually daily use.

Retin-A, in combination with proper skin care, topical or oral antibiotics (prescribed by your Dermatologist), and even certain kinds of laser, IPL, or LED wavelengths, is a truly helpful skin and acne pharmaceutical (need a prescription) available at your doctor's office or skin care clinic!

Retin-A can cause acne prone skin to purge in the beginning. Dry, itchy, flaky skin are also common skin responses to Retin-A. Allow 4-6 weeks for your skin to adjust.

Retin-A works for damaged and acne prone skin. It is scientifically proven to positively effect the skin through thickening the dermis and genetically altering the skins properties. The initial side effects are skin flaking which helps to shed the outer layer build up which ultimately improves the texture and tone of the skin, as well dryness and redness. These should be expected and the natural tendency is to stop the Retin-A. The proper application would be to treat through it and maybe back down to every other night.

REtin-A is a wonderful drug but must be slowly implemented with proper education and avoidance of sun exposure and liberal use of mositurizers.

If you do not have acne now, the risk that it may worsen with starting Retin A is small.  Even for acne-prone skin, there are ways of minimizing initial dryness, flaking and acne breakouts.

Retinoids, like Retin A, are excellent products for both photoaging and acne.  They do take close to 4 months of consistent use to see results.  The good news is that results continue improving as you continue using the products.

I recommend starting Retin A slowly, twice a week at nighttime, using a small amount (about pea-size) for the entire face.  Avoid the eye area as the skin is very delicate there and may get irritated easily, especially in the winter. Then you can slowly increase the use of Retin A by adding one more day per week over several weeks. And use a sunscreen daily as Retin A does make you more sun-sensitive.

To minimize flaking and scaling if you skin is dry and sensitive:

1. Use a mild cleanser without any abrasives, washcloths, spongies or anything that scrubs your face.

2. Blot your face dry and wait 15-20 minutes before applying Retin A

3. If your skin is dry to begin with, apply a thin layer of facial moisturizer made for sensitive skin (fragrance-free and dye-free) under the Retin A

Retin A is a great treatment for slowing the signs of photoaging of the skin. On occasion when first using this cream, irritation, dryness, redness and scaling may occur. This resolve with time or with decreasing the amount applied or frequency. Occasionally, this irritation flares an acne break out but this should be short lived as it is a very effective treatment for acne.

The bad news about all acne treatments is that they typically will take about 6 weeks to effect the overall severity.  As a physician, this is often the hardest part of caring for a patient.  The statement,  "I started on Retin-A, my skin is red and flaky and my acne is no better, I'm quitting" is a common one.  Retinoids are a good treatment for acne and if you give it 6 weeks, the likelihood is that your skin will be better.