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Is Retin-A inactivated by artificial light?

demcha_kourovizajMay 26, 2018
I use retin A at night, around 9 pm, and then watch a movie or work at my computer for a couple of hours before going to bed. I have read that natural light inactivates/breaks down Retin A, thus making it ineffective, and that’s why it’s recommended to use at night. However, does artificial light from monitors or from lamps inactivate retin a? Should I use retin a on my face just minute before going to bed and then lay down in complete darkness? Thanks in advance.

Answers (1)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
Dr. Fereydoon S. Mahjouri, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Jan 26, 2019
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Fereydoon S. Mahjouri, MD

You definitely don't want to use a Retinol on your skin right after any kind of procedure. I would wait 2 weeks or until the Dr give you the go ahead. While the skin is still raw, you will want to use Vaseline to protect the skin. As soon as it starts to heal (aka not raw) you will want to make...

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Fereydoon S. Mahjouri, MD

When using a Retin-A, you want to give it about 20-30 min to settle into the skin before applying anything else on top. As long as you have waited that amount of time, you can apply any moisturizers you would like. I would suggest applying the aloe vera before the moisturizer, if using them both.

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Fereydoon S. Mahjouri, MD

The scars you are experiencing are from the acne, not from the product. You cannot obtain scars from a topical product, as it is not breaking the skin which is the only way scar tissue would form. As long as you are not having side effects from the use of the Tretinoin gel, then there is no...

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