HomeAnswersDermatologytopical retinoidsMy skin is damaged after using retinoids. Please help.

My skin is lifeless after using Retinol cream for a year. Will it ever become normal?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At September 29, 2017
Reviewed AtFebruary 6, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 26-year-old female. My skin is in terrible condition, and I do not understand what is going on. I am extremely scared. When I was 24, I took Accutane to clear up cystic acne. This was my second round of Accutane. I had also taken it when I was 16, but the acne came back. This left my skin very dry. But, this is what I regret more than anything: I started using Retinol (OTC) and exfoliating my skin with microbeads because it was dry and flaky. Because I liked the effect of Retinol, I switched to Retin-A Micro (0.1 %) while exfoliating every single day. I did this for about a year. But, I started to become concerned I was using such powerful medicine on my face. So, I stopped using Retin-A and stopped exfoliating. It has now been three months since I stopped using Retin-A or any type of exfoliant. My skin has rapidly deteriorated since, becoming gray and my pores opening up. My skin is losing any glow and becoming dull and bone-dry. My skin is so sensitive to the sun that if I expose it to any sunlight, I get awful sunspots. So, I am bone-pale and look awful. My skin looks dehydrated, crepey, spotted yet pale, and is tough and dehydrated, porous and saggy. I could not regret what I did more. I do not look like I have real skin anymore. Please tell me, is there any possibility that my skin will return to normal if I leave it alone for a year or so? Will I ever be normal again? Will my skin ever be able to tolerate the sun again without sun-spotting like crazy? I used a broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day for the last three years or so.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You are right. You should not have used a topical retinoids-based cream for such a long period as you are aware it makes the skin photosensitive. It will take time for the skin to heal. Along with the broad-spectrum sunscreenwhich you are using, consider applying a moisturizer such as Epitheliale AH cream. It will help hydrate the skin. Also, it will not cause acne. Stop all other applications and scrubs. Use Cetaphil cleansing lotion to wash the face. There is a procedure called as Oxypeel where a jet of water is sprayed on the face followed by a mask. It helps hydrate the skin. You can consider visiting a dermatologist for the same. Clinical photographs would have helped to know the present situation better.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Thakare Sampada Avinash
Dr. Thakare Sampada Avinash

Dermatology

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