POSTED UNDER Retin-A Reviews
Retin-A Caused Scarring and Substantial Collagen and Fat Loss (Its Ruined my Face) GB
UPDATED FROM Mathew91
2 months post
Pretty much ruined my life.
Mathew91December 7, 2014
$120
I am having to see a therapist now due to constant depression. Thanks Retin-A and the people who have allowed this to be on the market, you've actually ruined my life.
ORIGINAL POST
I'm 22, male. I started using Retin-A in October...
Mathew91October 21, 2014
I'm 22, male. I started using Retin-A in October 2013 to help with acne and some acne scarring. I used less than a pea sized amount every other night for the first 2 months, then every night.
In December I noticed my face looked a little thinner, but assumed I was losing weight due to lifestyle. By January I noticed small scars were appearing all over my face, so immediately stopped using it. At this time my face had gotten a lot thinner. In the weeks after stopping, the scars and skin texture became worse. At no point during the time I was using retain-a did I experience any red inflamed skin or flaking, so I had no idea that damage was being done.
It is now been 9 months since I stopped using Retin-A, and have mostly been applying Emu Oil on my skin ever since, which has improved the scarring and texture by about 40%, but my face is still just as thin, which is by far the worst part. My face looks like I literally have some sort of eating disorder, as I look so gaunt and my eyes look hollow. My body weight has actually increased slightly since I started using retain-a, proof that the fat loss in my face has not been due to overall body weight loss. My face just does not match my body.
I still don't understand why this as happened from a cream that is meant to improve skin quality. Many have had fat loss from IPL and laser damage, but people don't seem to be reporting having fat loss from Retin-A. I would have thought with all the thousands of people using this over the world, their would be more people reporting similar experiences to mine, to have such horrific side-effects investigated.
The damage I have received from Retin-A has since caused me to be very depressed, as their doesn't seem to be any method to improve the fat loss, thus no hope of improvement. I'm considering trying to put on extra body weight in the hope that it will make my face bigger, but someone on another forum said people who experienced fat loss from IPL tried this and it didn't work at all. Another option is a fat transfer, but that can often go wrong too, and will likely not look natural. So I just don't know what to do. Retin-A has destroyed my skin, and my quality of life. If anybody has had similar experiences to mine, or any advice, feel free to comment below. Thanks.
In December I noticed my face looked a little thinner, but assumed I was losing weight due to lifestyle. By January I noticed small scars were appearing all over my face, so immediately stopped using it. At this time my face had gotten a lot thinner. In the weeks after stopping, the scars and skin texture became worse. At no point during the time I was using retain-a did I experience any red inflamed skin or flaking, so I had no idea that damage was being done.
It is now been 9 months since I stopped using Retin-A, and have mostly been applying Emu Oil on my skin ever since, which has improved the scarring and texture by about 40%, but my face is still just as thin, which is by far the worst part. My face looks like I literally have some sort of eating disorder, as I look so gaunt and my eyes look hollow. My body weight has actually increased slightly since I started using retain-a, proof that the fat loss in my face has not been due to overall body weight loss. My face just does not match my body.
I still don't understand why this as happened from a cream that is meant to improve skin quality. Many have had fat loss from IPL and laser damage, but people don't seem to be reporting having fat loss from Retin-A. I would have thought with all the thousands of people using this over the world, their would be more people reporting similar experiences to mine, to have such horrific side-effects investigated.
The damage I have received from Retin-A has since caused me to be very depressed, as their doesn't seem to be any method to improve the fat loss, thus no hope of improvement. I'm considering trying to put on extra body weight in the hope that it will make my face bigger, but someone on another forum said people who experienced fat loss from IPL tried this and it didn't work at all. Another option is a fat transfer, but that can often go wrong too, and will likely not look natural. So I just don't know what to do. Retin-A has destroyed my skin, and my quality of life. If anybody has had similar experiences to mine, or any advice, feel free to comment below. Thanks.
Replies (4)
October 21, 2014
I am really glad you took the time to share this information, as you mention this is not a common side effect of Retin-A. I see you did reach out to the doctors on the site by posting a question - the reply was interesting: "There are several laboratory studies on mice and other small animals showing that vitamin A can lead to loss of fat or loss of different kinds of fat." [Read more]
Certainly makes you wonder if Vitamin A is a factor? I had no idea that Vitamin A could cause fat loss.
Here is some information on Fat Transfer that you might find helpful:
Certainly makes you wonder if Vitamin A is a factor? I had no idea that Vitamin A could cause fat loss.
Here is some information on Fat Transfer that you might find helpful:
View more Fat Transfer videos here
I wish you luck as you continue your quest for a solution. Please keep us posted, and thanks again for sharing as it's people like you that makes Realself such a great place for information and support.
I wish you luck as you continue your quest for a solution. Please keep us posted, and thanks again for sharing as it's people like you that makes Realself such a great place for information and support.
October 21, 2014
Hi thanks for the fat transfer video link. Regarding the quote you added which mentions vitamin a causes fat loss, the link to the study which the Surgeon provided on her answer to that question leads to a 'page not found'. Would you be able to contact the her to fix the broken link?
October 22, 2014
Hi Mathew91, the link has been fixed :)
Web reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17975308
Web reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17975308
October 28, 2014
I'm sorry you feel this way, this post is scary bc I'm just starting this treatment, I hope you find answers, but I can tell you, please talk to someone about your depression. It can benefit you and improve self confidence.
November 7, 2014
Your not alone i just stopped after using it for a year im 23 y/o female oily skin after 3months my skin look flawless but I was told it was safe to use under eyes not i have circles and everyone asks me am I sad. It has ruined my face I may have to result im filler because it does thin the skin.
November 13, 2014
Your story sounds almost identical to mine except i was age 32 when I started this year. Saw some of your pics in another thread and I'm going through the exact same thing. very uneven texture under eyes and around nose. I can't even sleep on my side on a pillow anymore cause i get such crepeyness when I wake up. I'll inadvertantly roll over throughout the night though and I can always tell because of how massive amount of sleep lines. This horrible transformation from having great skin to being ashamed to go outside took its course from March 2014 till now. All because of wanting to use Retin-a to "improve my skin." Now my face looks thinned out and my skin doesn't have the same bounce or thickness it use to have. I've even been to a plastic surgeon and wanted fillers under my eyes but didn't really believe my story and wouldn't do them.. says it's part of the "aging process." My entire family is even dismissive that retin-a can do that. I just wanted to share that because I feel like it's me against the world with this condition and nobody understands the mental anguish when something like this happens. I guess we can just hope that in time, with gentle regimen, our skin will thicken back up and improve. Also try to minimize stress as I believe that made matters worse in my case... Take care.
November 13, 2014
Thanks for your comment. I think its much more common than people realise, but people tend to be very ignorant to it. Its been a year nearly now since the damage and I've not seen any improvement (perhaps very slightly in the most effected scars).
I could have smoked and sun worshipped since I was 5 and my skin would still be better than it is now. I'm going to try Accutane next year as a few people have noticed a good amount of healing from it, but I want to wait 2 years from when the damaged occurred to give my skin chance to heal on its own.
It's criminal how this danger hasn't been investigated, but I'm just trying to not let it affect my personality and my feeling towards other people, as I just feel very betrayed by the regulatory bodies that have allowed this to be prescribed to me.
November 26, 2014
You are only 32, and the "aging process" has been blamed? Ridiculous. Hope you get some improvement over time. Wishing you all the best.
January 7, 2015
Unfortunately I am with you Mathew. My dad worked construction outside all day in the sun consistently from age 18 to 59. His skin doesn't seem as wrinkled as my under eyes. Who would have thought the use of this cream could do 40 years of skin damage? It is mind boggling to me. I often wish I could go back in time. I pray for everyone who experiences this type of damage. Mine is so bad I can't even go outside during the day but luckily I work from home. I get anxiety even thinking about having to go outside during the day. My quality of life is terrible right now and I just keep praying for a miracle. If nothing else, I'll pray for others. The only positive about this situation is that I know if I ever do heal, I won't ever take for granted the things I used to be able to do aka be out in the sun, do stuff outside during the day, and just live a normal life. I feel almost handicapped. I have the facial structure of a 25 year old and the skin texture of a 60 year old with hyperpigmentation of years of sun damage. I wish I could give you answers Mathew but I don't have any myself. I will continue to pray and add you to my prayers. Hang in there.
January 9, 2015
I am so sorry that you have to go through this. Thank you both for posting this terrible outcome because I have a prescription in my possession which I will not be filling. My doctor already made matters worse for me with Bolatera, and I will not trust his advice to use Retin A. You are in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope your young age makes it possible for you to recover from this damage.
Replies (5)