Hi all. I was prescribed Tretinoin 0.050% in January by my derm to try and sort acne, uneven skin tone and fine lines around my eyes.
I started using it every three nights, like he said, then built it up to every other night. This was fine for about 3 months, so I thought I was safe to start every night.
I got to about 5 nights in a row, then woke in the morning with what looked like a chemical burn, lining my tear trough on one side, and it was swollen so bad I could see it when looking straight ahead trying to watch telly or whatever. I laid off it for 2 weeks until it had all healed.
My problem is, now I can't even use it every 3rd night like I did in the beginning without that area that had the burn flaring up. I get a line of milia, it swells and itches and is just unbearable.
Is this an allergic reaction? It seems unlikely because I tolerated it so well at the beginning. Or does it sound like the dose is too high? I'm only using the tiniest amount, and basically start at the bottom of my face and work up to my eyes so it should be just residue by the time I get there so I don't understand. I know it says not to use it around the eyes, but he prescribed it me mainly for the lines under my eyes.
I really had my hopes pinned on it working for me, so if anyone has any ideas or experience with Retin A themselves, I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks :)