I’ve read the article and notice that all the negative side-effects listed are due to issues with oral Retinoids rather than topical Retinoids.
Several of the articles I’ve read indicate that topical retinoids actually DECREASE the risk of cancer, though I agree this is confusing since they supposedly increase cell turnover rates, which should theoretically cause more mitosis-induced mutations to occur. But Retinoids are actually frequently used as anti-cancer drugs.
Google’s AI summarizer says you the mechanism of action is promotion of cell differentiation and inhibiting the progression of pre-malignant cells to malignant cells.
It also reduces “keratinocyte differentiation and decrease keratin deposition” which makes skin more fragile, and it increases sensitivity to UV light.
This is correct of course and why I specifically recommend in the post that people wear sunscreen when using retinoids.
I’ve read the article and notice that all the negative side-effects listed are due to issues with oral Retinoids rather than topical Retinoids.
No. Topical adapalene has side effects. Also, not sure why you’re capitalizing retinoids.
But Retinoids are actually frequently used as anti-cancer drugs
Anti-cancer drugs generally increase the risk of developing cancer. Cancer preventing compounds reduce the risk of developing cancer.
This is correct of course and why I specifically recommend in the post that people wear sunscreen when using retinoids.
Most sunscreens contain compounds that absorb UV by breaking into radicals, which can then cause problems in cells. They also often contain endocrine disruptors. These aren’t unavoidable issues but they are common. Sunscreen is also somewhat inconvenient.
No. Topical adapalene has side effects. Also, not sure why you’re capitalizing retinoids.
I just checked 5 of the individual wiki pages linked from the retinoid page. You suggest they have side effects (together with their mechanisms of action) that “[indicate] negative long-term effects”.
None of the linked pages’ listed topical side effects indicated that to me. Here is the section on side effects for adapalene:
Of the three topical retinoids, adapalene is often regarded as the best tolerated. It can cause mild adverse effects such as photosensitivity, irritation, redness, dryness, itching, and burning, and 1% to 10% of users experience a brief sensation of warmth or stinging, as well as dry skin, peeling and redness during the first two to four weeks using the medication. These effects are considered mild and usually decrease over time. Serious allergic reactions are rare.
Pregnancy & lactation
Use of topical adapalene in pregnancy has not been well studied but has a theoretical risk of retinoid embryopathy. Thus far, there is no evidence that the cream causes problems in the baby if used during pregnancy. Use is at the consumer’s own risk.
Topical adapalene has poor systemic absorption and results in low blood levels (less than 0.025 mcg/L) even after long term use, suggesting that there is low risk of harm for a nursing infant. However, it is recommended that the topical medication should not be applied to the nipple or any other area that may come into direct contact with the infant’s skin.
What in here indicates negative long-term effects?
And the mechanism involves increased cell turnover, which long-term tends to either increase stem cell depletion or increase cancer risk. There’s a tradeoff, which is why people don’t just do the thing normally. Maybe your natural tradeoff is wrong and you want to adjust it, but you have to recognize that it exists.
Can you link to a source about the increased cancer risk? Every source I’ve seen on this subject indicates retinoids DECREASE cancer risk, though I agree with you that this doesn’t make much intuitive sense.
I’ve read the article and notice that all the negative side-effects listed are due to issues with oral Retinoids rather than topical Retinoids.
Several of the articles I’ve read indicate that topical retinoids actually DECREASE the risk of cancer, though I agree this is confusing since they supposedly increase cell turnover rates, which should theoretically cause more mitosis-induced mutations to occur. But Retinoids are actually frequently used as anti-cancer drugs.
Google’s AI summarizer says you the mechanism of action is promotion of cell differentiation and inhibiting the progression of pre-malignant cells to malignant cells.
This is correct of course and why I specifically recommend in the post that people wear sunscreen when using retinoids.
No. Topical adapalene has side effects. Also, not sure why you’re capitalizing retinoids.
Anti-cancer drugs generally increase the risk of developing cancer. Cancer preventing compounds reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Most sunscreens contain compounds that absorb UV by breaking into radicals, which can then cause problems in cells. They also often contain endocrine disruptors. These aren’t unavoidable issues but they are common. Sunscreen is also somewhat inconvenient.
I just checked 5 of the individual wiki pages linked from the retinoid page. You suggest they have side effects (together with their mechanisms of action) that “[indicate] negative long-term effects”.
None of the linked pages’ listed topical side effects indicated that to me. Here is the section on side effects for adapalene:
What in here indicates negative long-term effects?
Adapalene is used topically. Wikipedia doesn’t list skin fragility as a side effect but—as you can guess from its mechanism—it is one.
And the mechanism involves increased cell turnover, which long-term tends to either increase stem cell depletion or increase cancer risk. There’s a tradeoff, which is why people don’t just do the thing normally. Maybe your natural tradeoff is wrong and you want to adjust it, but you have to recognize that it exists.
Can you link to a source about the increased cancer risk? Every source I’ve seen on this subject indicates retinoids DECREASE cancer risk, though I agree with you that this doesn’t make much intuitive sense.