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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Did Fraxel Laser Treatment. Using Retin- A. Going On A Fishing Trip. Stop Using The Retin A?

Dear Sirs,

I m 32 years old male , and I have white skin. I live in Egypt .

I have been doing Fraxel laser treatment around every 4 month to cure Acne Scares in my face , also I m using Retin - A cream twice a week ( at night ).

My skin is stable and I m protecting it with Sun screen with SPF 50+ whenever I m exposed to sun and I m not suffering from Sun burns. also when i go to the beach I stop using the Retin A cream even at night and also i wait around 1 month after any Fraxel laser session before going to the beach.

I have a simple question, Now i m going on a fishing trip in the red sea ( my last fraxel laser session was 3 months ago so my skin is stable now) and of course i will stop using the Retin A during the 3 days fishing trip and i usually wear hats . My question is do i have to stop the Retin A completly before this fishing trip like I shouldnt use it for one week or something..or simply not to use it during the beach trip ....i mean how many days ealier shall i stop using the Retin A ....and does it have a prolonged effect or it only makes skin sensistive when its applied . either way i will be applying the sun screen with SPF 50+ ...

Thanks for your feedback.

sherif el kaissy
Tue, 30 Apr 2013
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hello..Thanks for your query.
Retino A cream is stopped before certain procedures/ sun exposure etc as it makes your skin more sensitive due to the thinning effect when applied .There is no way to find out how sensitive your skin is ,because this depends on skin to skin ,the time since which you have been using it and several other concomitant factors.
Usually , the standard protocol that is followed is to stop application of the cream 2 weeks before you are exposed to more that usual amount of sun exposure or are getting a treatment done.
It does have a prolonged effect on skin; but 2 weeks is a good time to reduce the possibility of the sensitivity of skin causing a discomfort .
As you have stated , a sunscreen with a good SPF should also give an adequate protection.
Hope this is helpful
take care!
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Did Fraxel Laser Treatment. Using Retin- A. Going On A Fishing Trip. Stop Using The Retin A?

Hello..Thanks for your query. Retino A cream is stopped before certain procedures/ sun exposure etc as it makes your skin more sensitive due to the thinning effect when applied .There is no way to find out how sensitive your skin is ,because this depends on skin to skin ,the time since which you have been using it and several other concomitant factors. Usually , the standard protocol that is followed is to stop application of the cream 2 weeks before you are exposed to more that usual amount of sun exposure or are getting a treatment done. It does have a prolonged effect on skin; but 2 weeks is a good time to reduce the possibility of the sensitivity of skin causing a discomfort . As you have stated , a sunscreen with a good SPF should also give an adequate protection. Hope this is helpful take care!