POSTED UNDER Retin-A REVIEWS
Retin-A Caused Scarring and Substantial Collagen and Fat Loss (Its Ruined my Face) GB
ORIGINAL POST
I'm 22, male. I started using Retin-A in October...
Mathew91October 21, 2014
$120
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 (32)
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.
UPDATED FROM Mathew91
2 months post
Pretty much ruined my life.
Mathew91December 7, 2014
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.
Replies (39)
December 7, 2014
Matthew, I'm so glad to see you have contacted a therapist. This may be entirely reversible, so please DO NOT consider losing your life over it. fI hope you have seen the therapist or will very soon. You also need to contact a very good dermatologist to help you counter the effects of the RetinA. I know I'm rooting for you, and I'm sure everyone on this site who has read your account is as well. Your comments have ensured that I WILL NOT fill the prescription my doctor gave me. Please keep posting about our progress. I wish you all the best and as fast as possible. It may take time to reverse the effects, but I think they can be reversed! Please take care, and thank you very much for sharing your experience. Gingie
December 7, 2014
Thanks Gingie I do hope it improves. The scarred rough skin texture is something I can deal with but the huge amount of fat loss is the thing that has really aged me as fat is what makes you look youthful, and I really don't look like myself anymore which is so hard to process psychologically. I realistically see no way the fat can restore itself over time as fat actually is lost gradually over decades anyway. But I will be sure to post any updates good or bad.
December 7, 2014
Mathew, just don't give up especially on your life. That would be awful especially when there is always hope for a remedy with all the advances in dermatology and products. Just try to get the word spread out as far as you can, and there may be some expert out there who can help. You are very welcome, and thanks for your reply.
February 4, 2015
Mathew, I have seen posts from people on the ipl and laser damage board that had fat loss and said that some of it did come back with time. I pray that will happen for you as well.
December 21, 2014
Matthew, this is shocking! I have used tretinon (generic retin A) for decades and of course I am quite relieved I did not experience this. I am almost 60 and am constantly told that I have perfect skin (of course I don't, but it is surprisingly good, I have tons of pics posted on this site) I live in Tucson , AZ (desert) and in addition to using tretinon almost nightly I also use sunscreen daily and heavily because the sun has been proven to accelerate aging and retin A has been proven to increase sun sensitivity. We definately lose facial fat as we age (or, as in my case, it travels south and decides to live under my chin :/ ) Maybe fat transfer would be an option for you? Choose your practitioner carefully, as it is very technique dependent. Sorry you've had to go through this and best of luck to you!
February 4, 2018
Still Southern, This comment has to be the most INSENSITIVE thing I have ever read. Goody for you that you have perfect skin - HOW DOES THAT HELP HERE!?!?!? GEEESH
January 17, 2019
She says she doesn’t actually have perfect skin. I think it’s relevant in that people have vastly different experiences and she had a good one. I didn’t see any insensitivity in this. Relax.
December 22, 2014
i'm in the same boat. After heavily moisturizing for 6 months, i realized my skin wasn't going to heal and i completely left it alone. I've only been washing with water for the past 5 months and i've noticed significant improvement in my skin's thickness. No sunscreen,oils,or moisturizer,just wash with water twice a day and your skin will return to normal with time
March 21, 2015
This is true. The healing comes when skin is left alone. Healing comes from within. It is very important to have healthy diet with NO sugars and white flour. Vegetables, fish, eggs, fruits etc. healthy stuff. I notices borage oil and primrose oil capsules that I eat, do help with moisturazion that comes trough what is eaten.
September 14, 2016
Is your skin any better now? Hope so. Hoping mine will get better too...
February 5, 2015
I read your reviews and questions. I am very sorry that this has hapenned to you too. In some of your questions some of the doctors were telling that the cause of your tragedy is not the retin A you used. They can not really say that. It is not smart to say that if person has never seen or heard about it before that it is not the reason causing the problem . It can happen and it has hapenned to many people. People do not lie about this kind of stuff and pictures tell alot. Many people with tretinoin/vitamin-A damage have similar looking skin than yours.
I hope your skin will get better as time passes. Please dont use any hars products on your skin.
February 12, 2022
It's also possible, in fact most likely, that the users who experienced skin degradation were not vigilant about sun protection. Retin A makes the skin more sensitive to sun exposure. If one were to use Retin A yet not protect their skin from the sun then they would suffer the loss of collagen and elasticity more rapidly than nature intends, both of which can give the illusion of fat loss.
November 14, 2022
But that’s not even the case- sun reportedly makes retinol INEFFECTIVE it’s not supposed to degrade your skin. And stop blaming them people are using sunscreen as they should but the benefits don’t outweigh the negatives. The side effects should be more permanent and way worse than what it’s supposed to fix. Acne is nothing compared to permanent skin and facial damage
March 17, 2015
Have to agree. I experienced the same kind of fat loss after using retin-a. It put more lines on my skin as well as caused fat loss under eyes and in the cheeks. Worst decision I ever made
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:
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.
Web reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17975308