Hi Dr. Irwin - I read your blog regarding several studies showing that Retin A/Renova/tretinoin do not irritate rosacea and, in many cases, improve it. It's fine to stay on it. I have used Retin-A for years but stopped temporarily when diagnosed with Rosacea. Concuring with you, a plastic surgeon said I should resume treatment for the antiaging benefits. I worked up to o.1% nightly but it seems I may be developing more telangiectases now, so have stopped again. Would it reduce telangiectasis development and yet provide benefits if I used a lower dose less frequently? Please advise....thank-you!
In general, the telangectasias are due to the rosacea, not the Retin A. IPL or pulsed dye laser are still the best treatments for these, other than your prescriptions. Also the % in Renova is 0.02% which usually works quite nicely – no need to go to the higher concentrations for this purpose.
Dr. I