Can retin-a be dangerous? - Skin Problems Message Board

ShootingStar · 05-13-2003, 12:50 AM

I have a ton of freckles on my face and I'm interested in getting rid of them using retin-a. I've done all the research and whatever but my mom is really skeptical. So can retin-a be dangerous? I've read about the potential side effects but she seems to thing it's going to burn my face off.

Janette* · 05-13-2003, 10:45 PM

Are getting rid of freckles THAT important to you??

I don't know about the potential side-effects of retin-a... but if it sounds risky to you, why even take it?
Lol, I'm sorry. I'm probably not helping a bit. It's just that I love freckles, and I cannot see why anyone would risk so much just to get rid of them!

help me · 05-14-2003, 09:27 PM

Hi!

I have been using Retin-A for a while i do not use on my face though, I have a skin condition called keratosis pilaris that covers most of me. i am hoping for it soon to be gone because it looks so UGLY. Anyways It has not yet burned away my skin i only use 1 every 2 days but thats because the tube is so little and the cost. i have been using it steady since the first of January. The only thing that has been uncomfortable to me is itching but that is about the only bad thing i can think of for me. I also have no idea if it harms anyone's health if it is used for a prolonged length of time. GOOD LUCK with whatever you try to get rid of your freckels.

nuttyrich · 05-16-2003, 05:58 PM

MY girlfried uses retin-a micro and it really hasn't done anything for the freckles,one treatment if you do have the money .. is laser photoderm check that out on a search engine,it's not cheap but there's NO pain and great results for freckles/birthmarks. Retin-a can help but it's no day in the park you can no longer go in the sun you need about 60 spf to go out for a short time... and well sun causes freckles to people who have them,so stay out of the sun and research PHotoDERM,good luck

Take care,
Rich

carol2 · 05-16-2003, 08:55 PM

My goodness, you can't get rid of freckles, whoever told you you could? Freckles are part of your skin, you'd have to remove several layers of it to even come close to lightening them. I'm afraid you can use Retin-A til the cows come home, but you'll still look pretty much the same. And you DO know you need a prescription for that stuff, don't you? I seriously doubt any dermatologist is going to prescribe an acne cream to a young girl for her freckles. And if he does, I'd question his medical training.
Why don't you simply use a concealer to cover them? Just dab it on a freckle and it pretty much disappears. What do you think celebrities do, and models? You think they don't have freckles? Of course they do, and some have a faceful if you've ever seen them with no makeup on, but the right foundation and concealer does wonders. And if you really think about it, if there was really a way to remove them, don't you think THOSE girls would have done it by now?