Retin A Question

[soulsurvivor316]

Hey I have a pretty cheap source for retin a cream and i was wondering if it would be okay for me to first apply the retin a cream to my thinning areas, wait 5-10 minutes, then apply 2% spironolactone, wait another 5-10 minutes and then apply the 5% minoxidil. Is that the same as applying 2% spironolactone to my head and then applying Dr. Lee's 5% minoxidil with retin a?

Thanks

 

[Bryan]

I'd be just a little bit worried that the Retin-A cream (ANY cream, for that matter) might tend to act as an occlusive barrier, and interfere to some extent with the absorption of the spironolactone and minoxidil that you apply a few minutes later. I don't know for a FACT that that would occur, I'd just be slightly worried about it.

Is there any way you could apply the cream at some other time of day entirely?

Bryan

 

[mvpsoft]

Keep in mind also that light breaks down Retin-A pretty quickly. Retin-A is most commonly used as a skin exfoliant, and then it's applied immediately before going to bed. If you use it when it will be subject to light, not only will it likely act as a barrier to absorption, as Bryan mentioned, but you'll see very little exfoliation benefit from it. So instead of acting to increase absorption, it will most likely inhibit it.