Can you have Radio frequency after using retinol cream on your face?

Topical retinol cream is not an absolute contraindication to radiofrequency (RF) procedures, but the standard best practice is to discontinue retinoids at least 5–7 days before the treatment to minimize the risk of excessive skin irritation, erythema, and prolonged recovery.

Rationale for holding retinol pre-procedure:

Topical retinoids (including over-the-counter retinol) thin the stratum corneum over time and can increase skin sensitivity, erythema, and peeling.[1] RF devices deliver thermal energy to the dermis, and performing the procedure on retinoid-sensitized skin raises the risk of exaggerated post-procedure erythema, discomfort, and potentially prolonged healing. Published protocols for fractional RF microneedling studies have specifically required that products containing acids or retinoids be avoided for at least 1 week before treatment.[2]

Practical recommendations for any patient (especially if having procedure next day):

- Have the patient skip the retinol night before and the morning of the procedure. While a single night off is not the ideal 5–7 day washout, it is better than applying it the night before.

- Assess the skin at the time of the procedure for signs of active retinoid dermatitis (erythema, peeling, dryness). If the skin appears irritated, consider deferring the procedure by 5–7 days after retinol cessation.[3]

- If the skin appears healthy and non-irritated, proceeding is reasonable — the risk is primarily one of increased post-procedure sensitivity rather than a safety contraindication.

Post-procedure guidance:

Retinoids should also be avoided after RF treatment until the skin has fully re-epithelialized and any erythema/crusting has resolved, typically 5–7 days minimum (longer for more aggressive settings). A consensus statement on energy-based device aftercare recommends avoiding topical irritants including retinoids until cleared by the treating provider.[4]

An expert consensus on fractional ablative CO₂ laser (a more aggressive modality than RF) found that 59% of panelists recommend stopping topical retinoids at least 1 week before the procedure, while 48% of panelists overall advise some form of medication cessation before energy-based treatments.[3]

Bottom line: For patients, advise skipping retinol night before at least. If the skin shows no signs of irritation at the time of the appointment, proceeding with RF is reasonable. Going forward, a standard pre-procedure instruction sheet should include discontinuing retinol/retinoids 5–7 days before any RF procedure.

References

1. Reappraising the phototoxicity of tretinoin: a report of four controlled clinical trials. Slade HB, Shroot B, Feldman SR, Cargill DI, Stanfield J. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. 2009;25(3):146-52. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0781.2009.00433.x.
2. Efficacy and safety of fractional microneedle radiofrequency for atrophic acne scars: A real‐world clinical study of 126 patients. Ding Z, Guo Y, Guo Y, et al. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2024;56(2):150-164. doi:10.1002/lsm.23759.
3. Expert Consensus on Clinical Recommendations for Fractional Ablative CO 2 Laser, in Facial Skin Rejuvenation Treatment. Levy T, Lerman I, Waibel J, et al. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2025;57(1):15-26. doi:10.1002/lsm.23850.
4. Consensus Statement on the Prevention and Management of Complications of Fully Ablative Laser Resurfacing of the Face. Kang BY, Cohen JL, Geronemus R, et al. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2025;57(6):477-489. doi:10.1002/lsm.70035.