Retinol, vitamin A cream and skin csncer / moles

[LolaHola]

What advice can you give re the use of creams containing vitamin A, retinol and skin cancer? These creams are designed to increase the renewal of skin cells, but is this safe to use in the sun given that cells may 'over divide' and become cancerous.

[Dr Juber Hafiji]

Hi there!
Retinol containing products are useful for reversing the signs of sun damage but you have to be very careful in using these preparations as in sunny weather as it is a photosensitiser. This means, the retinol cream can make your more sensitive to the sun which could lead to more sun damage which is the very thing you are trying to reverse.
My advice would be that if someone is planning to use retinol creams, then to use these at night and use minimum SPF 15 sunscreen during the day. Higher if you live in a country where the intensity of the sun is much higher. The closer you live to the equator, the greater the penetrance of Ultraviolet B, which is the main rays that cause skin cancer.
Hope that helps!
BW
Dr Juber Hafiji