Yes, it has just happened to me. I learnt at university that the herpes virus is actives by uv light. Retinol somehow makes you more sensitive to light. So if you still use it, put loads of sun block on you lips.
I'm not sure whether to continue with the retinol
I'm not sure whether to continue with the retinol
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I'm 55 never had a cold sore until I began using topical retinol. Knew years ago by blood test I had herpes 1. I'm certain the topical retinol caused my first outbreak.
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Uh, canker sores are not cold sores. Cold sores are a herpes virus; the causes of canker sores aren't known.
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I have used Retin-A wice in the last week. This is the first time I have used Retin-A in 2 yrs. I applied a thin layer to my cheeks and chin at night. The morning after the first application, I woke with a Herpes blister (cold sore) in my nose. I was surprised, since I get cold sores infrequently—although I have had the virus since I was a toddler. I did not use Retin-A the next night. The night after that, I applied even less Retin-A to the same areas. In the middle of the night, I woke to the sensation of a new cold sore on my upper lip. This is more than a coincidence! It is directly related. I began taking Valacyclovir the day I felt the first cold sore and got the second cold sore WHILE I was continuing to take Valacyclovir. I have never gotten a new cold sore while taking a round of Valacyclovir. I am very experienced with cold sores/fever blisters and there is no doubt that these are herpes. Also, my skin has no irritation or even dryness from 2 conservative applications of Retin-A, so I do not accept that the blisters are simply irritation, dryness, or burns. I will not be using Retin-A anymore, unfortunately. I am a bit mystified, as I have used Retin-A in the past and did not notice this side effect.
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I haven't had this happen to me, but the way my skin has been feeling on retin a reminds me of a sunburn feeling, and I certainly have had fever blister outbreaks after sunburns. The last one was huge, and all over my chin. I guess when it feels hot and scratchy take some time off the retin a. I'm on it now, and having a hard time getting used to it. I used retin a before, about 9 years ago, and, other than an ugly stage about a week or so into 0.025% strength, my recollection is that I got to using that strength every day much more easily back then, and I switched to 0.05% easily as well. Maybe it's just that I'm older now. Anyway, I wish I'd never stopped.
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Though this is,a reply to posts a year old I will give my opinion. I have suffered with cold sores for 30 years. Cold sores are a virus. Generally activated by several factors. Sun exposure, cold weather, having been sick and now the immune system has been weekend. On days you are in the sun use at least 50 level sunscreen all over face and lips. 100 is best for complete coveage. On cold and windy days try to keep your face or mouth covered. Theory is cold wind somehow irritates nerve of an area prone to developing cold sore. As far as using Retinol skin care, it's plausible that the creams irritate the skin enough to activate the nerves in weak area where you always get a cold sore to then develope once again. I have had them emerge after using such products. I had 2 breakouts soon after applying. I just don't use them anymore since I am highly suspect that it was the culprit.
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There is a peer reviewed study on PubMed that retinol actually reduced cellular replication of the Herpes virus by approx 25%. So I would doubt this connection.
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So I started on retin-A four small bits of sun damage, though my doctor said it would help with aging as well. After 1.5 months of using I got a huge cold sore on my lower lip that went nearly to my chin. The next day I had one on my upper lip, the following day on the corner of my mouth! I'm scared for tomorrow! It's Dec so we're not getting a lot of sun, it's been 0° but sunny. I have spent a few minutes at a time working in this sun. I think I'll quit using it till they are gone. Reading your replies, that's all that makes sense. I haven't had this bad a cold sore ever!
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I am just experiencing this with my first week on retin-A. I will rarely get cold sores for a couple reasons- getting too much sun or too much heat- “fever blister”. It must be overstimulating and slightly burning your skin as my skin is peeling after just one application.
I’m going to really avoid my lips next & we will see.
I’m going to really avoid my lips next & we will see.
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I am just experiencing this with my first week on retin-A. I will rarely get cold sores for a couple reasons- getting too much sun or too much heat- “fever blister”. It must be overstimulating and slightly burning your skin as my skin is peeling after just one application.
I’m going to really avoid my lips next & we will see.
I’m going to really avoid my lips next & we will see.
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Mystery solved! I just inreased my dosage from .25% to .50% and I had one last week that rivaled monkey pox. Now I am seeing another one pop up. UGh, I never had issues with the lower dosage. I must be using too much :(
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To add on, I usually take Lysine as a prevention method which usually works. Guess I should discontinue during the summer. Even the Lysine isn't helping this time.
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Cold sores are also triggered by dryness, eczema, rosaceae, etc. In the purging stage, tretinoin causes extreme dryness. I almost always had a recurrent cold sore on the same spot on the corner of my mouth in my cheek... I was always on my toe for it. I'm guessing, the cold sores will get better as my skin adjusts to tretinoin.
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Just a thought - my cold sores are always a direct response to unprotected sun exposure. However, the other day, I had one out of the blue. I had used tretinoin, but I'm positive that it cased the cold sore because I smeared it all over my face INCLUDING my mouth area. I had been using it for 3 years, always careful not to get it near my mouth, and have never had a problem. I think it's the proximity that is the reason.
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