5 replies to this topic

[Zitophobe]

Been using Retin-A for the past 6 months and my scarring is noticeably worse. Not only are the red marks I initially had now looking redder, but each new spot is leaving a horrible and long-lasting mark, much worse than it did before I started Retin-A.

I know it thins your skin, but I thought it was supposed to improve scars, not make them worse - do you think I should continue or am I doing more harm than good??

[countdown2failure]

Been using Retin-A for the past 6 months and my scarring is noticeably worse. Not only are the red marks I initially had now looking redder, but each new spot is leaving a horrible and long-lasting mark, much worse than it did before I started Retin-A.

I know it thins your skin, but I thought it was supposed to improve scars, not make them worse - do you think I should continue or am I doing more harm than good??

In my years of trying all the crap that the dermatologist threw at me, I had a horrible time with Retin-A, Retin-A micro, Tazorac, and Differin.

But curiously, I found that the little bottle of "Retinol Renewel Complex" that is included as "step 4" in the OTC "AcneFree Severe" kit, (find it a any walmart) worked quite well (although the rest of the kit kinda sucks). And Avon makes a retinol complex in their "Anew " line which I found to work even better.

But retinol doesn't work for everyone... in fact I don't think it works for very many people. If it's clearly not working, try something else, like maybe AHA.

Just my experience though, for what it's worth... which is probably nothing.

Best wishes!

[zxcv]

Been using Retin-A for the past 6 months and my scarring is noticeably worse. Not only are the red marks I initially had now looking redder, but each new spot is leaving a horrible and long-lasting mark, much worse than it did before I started Retin-A.

I know it thins your skin, but I thought it was supposed to improve scars, not make them worse - do you think I should continue or am I doing more harm than good??

exactly what happened to me. throw the shit out, it gives you scars. ive stoppped using it because i noticed scarring too. i stopped using it in November and i can count every single scar retin-a gave me.

green cream is milder form of retinol, it might work better for you..?

[Zitophobe]

Thanks for your replies, appreciate them. I'm reluctant to stop using the Retin-A because it is helping with the active acne, I'm getting fewer cysts which is a good thing. I just dont want to end up covered in scars.....ugh dunno what to do lol!

[bukama]

Thanks for your replies, appreciate them. I'm reluctant to stop using the Retin-A because it is helping with the active acne, I'm getting fewer cysts which is a good thing. I just dont want to end up covered in scars.....ugh dunno what to do lol!

Hi,
My daughter had the exact same problem with Retin-A Micro. She used it religiously for 5 months along with cetaphil in the evening and brevoxyl 4% cream in the morning and was left with horrible scarring. The dermatologist would tell her at each monthly check up it's getting better.......but it really wasn't. I decided to get a second opinion and took her to the dermatologist of a friend who's skin had improved dramatically from acne. This dr. had a completely different approach. He took her off the retin a, put her on erythromycin cream in the a.m., tazorac in the evening, minocyclin once a day and purpose gentle cleanser and moisturizer. The results have been amazing. It's been one month and the scars from the retin-a are almost gone. The new breakouts are considerably less......maybe two or three. Her skin is not completely acne free but it has made such an improvement it's unbelievable. She never got the horrible initial breakout like she got with the retin-a. My recommendation is if you are not happy with the results than ask the dr. to try something else or get a second opinion. There is so much more out there than retin-a to treat acne!

[Zitophobe]

Hi Bukama, really glad to hear your daughter's skin has improved so much, thanks for the suggestions.

I've tried almost everything available except accutane, and here in the UK it's not easy to get a second opinion unless you pay a lot of money privately (which I can't afford)....with the NHS system you have to make do with whoever you're assigned to.