Retin-A

[sproutwings]

Hey Ladies! I'm Hannah, and this is my first post!

Ok, so do any of you use Retin-A? Or any other tretinoin gel? I have a Rx for it, and it's been sitting in my bathroom forever, but I can't bring up the nerve to try it. I've heard it's awesome for acne, wrinkles, skin dullness, etc.

Any opinions?

Hannah

 

[dreeeem]

Hi sproutwings

ya I use it on & off on my spots..since years. it peels off the skin n will make spots lighter. It works for me very effectively

Just use very minimally, alternate day at nights. u need sun protection too while u use it.

i will suggest never overapply.. it..

go ahead u'll b fine

 

[sproutwings]

Thanks! I guess I'm worried that my face will get dry and peel. I will use your advice and apply it every other day or every second day.

 

[dreeeem]

ya it does make skin dry . when my dermatologist advised it for the first time years back in my teen years. I was so enthusiastic to use it n used it twice daily on whole face, as my skin had patchy hyperpigmentaions. after few days, when I got up in the morning my whole face was peeling off. My whole family was alarmed n my father rushed me to dermatologist at 7 am. I still remember it. that was a nightmare...

after that episode it's fine as i apply very minimally now. good luck

 

[sproutwings]

Yikes! I'll learn from your mistake!

I think I'll start it... I'm sick of breaking out every week before by period. I need to remember the sunscreen, though. I'm one of those people who'll slather on the baby oil...

 

[jessica9]

Go for it and try it; Retin A is great stuff! I have literally been using it (with the exception of a couple months here and there) for the past 10 or 11 years. I am 26 now. What concentration are you using and what is your skin type? My dermatologist (been going to the guy all these years!) put me on 0.1%, which I think is the strongest concentration, in cream form for years and years. When I was a teenager, Retin A Micro hadn't come out yet. When it did come out I asked my derm. about it and wanted to try it. He said I could try it but that he thinks he has seen better results with the creams. I ended up using the Micro but going back to the cream. And now that I am 26, I don't mind a cream and basically am just continuing to use it for the anti-wrinkle benefits (though I occassionally breakout...birth control has helped prevent breakouts during that time of the month too.)

Using Retin A also made me a religious sunscreen user. Try to get an spf 30 if you can. Aveeno positively radiant spf 30 is a really great one with avobenzone, and is great for everyday. I just got back from Europe and met girls 19 and 20 years old with wrinkles and I literally don't have a single line on my face. I think Retin A and sunscreen have a lot to do with that!

So start using it....it's great stuff! Just wear spf everyday!

(oh! and i second the using it once sparingly everynight! i also had a nightmarish experience when i tried using it twice a day and misapplied it! less is more...)

 

[Vonniegirl]

i'd suggest trying it! =] i heard its great!

 

[sproutwings]

Thanks! Jessica9, you had some great information! I really appreciate it!

 

[kathl33n]

i am away from home right now but when i get back i cant wait to go to the derm's office and get some. i have so much trouble with blackheads, and it might not be a bad idea to get a jump start on wrinkles...

 

[Flowerinthewind]

it can definatly be no fun in the beggining, but, after a few months it is worth it. It really helps scars and redmarks aswell.

 

[KathrynNicole]

I prefer Differin Gel over Retin-A.

 

[Aquilah]

I've never tried it. Try visiting Paula Begoun's site. She has info on her site about it, and LOTS of other skin care info!

 

[Flowerinthewind]

Sprout,

are you gonna be on antibiotics along with it?

 

[gryffin_tiggy]

Hi,

I recommend that you visit www.acne.org. It's a great site and a lot of people there are using retin-a. I'm using tretinoin cream right now, .05%. I started using it last June and I can definitely say that it was worth the wait. I don't have new zits most of the time. I'm really loving my face right now because no matter how little sleep I get I don't break out anymore. If I do, the zits are small and they go away faster. I'm using BP in the morning too, and sunblock. I put on the tretinoin 30 mins. after I wash my face at night. Remember to use just a pea-size amount for your face and don't neglect those parts where you don't usually break out. If your skin doesn't improve, maybe your derm would suggest taking pills. Be prepared for an initial break out though. Tretinoin makes your skin cell turnover faster and your face may erupt into zits but try and be patient with the regimen. Good luck!

 

[sproutwings]

Thanks Hulietta! How close do you put the Retin-A to your eyes?? I think I'll take you guys' advice and start taking it...

 

[beautynista]

Originally Posted by gryffin_tiggy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi,
I recommend that you visit Acne.org. It's a great site and a lot of people there are using retin-a. I'm using tretinoin cream right now, .05%. I started using it last June and I can definitely say that it was worth the wait. I don't have new zits most of the time. I'm really loving my face right now because no matter how little sleep I get I don't break out anymore. If I do, the zits are small and they go away faster. I'm using BP in the morning too, and sunblock. I put on the tretinoin 30 mins. after I wash my face at night. Remember to use just a pea-size amount for your face and don't neglect those parts where you don't usually break out. If your skin doesn't improve, maybe your derm would suggest taking pills. Be prepared for an initial break out though. Tretinoin makes your skin cell turnover faster and your face may erupt into zits but try and be patient with the regimen. Good luck!

I just started using Retin-A, and i'm wondering if it's necessary to apply it 30 mins after cleansing? cuz i read that in the leaflet as well.. Does it maximize results?

 

[TylerD]

Retin A is a topical you have to experiment for yourself. My friend said it completely cleared his skin and he looks amazing. It worked great for him. So I tried it and it wrecked my face. It was the worst thing ever. So in that saying everyone is different

.

 

[gryffin_tiggy]

hi beutynista,

i think that applying tretinoin or any other retin a creams after 30 mins is just advisable not because it maximizes the results, but because it helps minimize the peeling and the reaction to the cream. hope i helped. i've been 3 mos on the cream, feels good. no more big and frequent pimples.

 

[GuessWho]

thanks for posting about Retin A

i got some new info about it here

i was going to use it but i was afraid my skin become worse

 

[beautynista]

Originally Posted by TylerD /img/forum/go_quote.gif Retin A is a topical you have to experiment for yourself. My friend said it completely cleared his skin and he looks amazing. It worked great for him. So I tried it and it wrecked my face. It was the worst thing ever. So in that saying everyone is different

. How did it wreck your face, if you don't mind me asking? I've heard that initially, it might get worse cuz all the gunk rises up to the surface. What was your experience with it?

Originally Posted by gryffin_tiggy /img/forum/go_quote.gif hi beutynista,
i think that applying tretinoin or any other retin a creams after 30 mins is just advisable not because it maximizes the results, but because it helps minimize the peeling and the reaction to the cream. hope i helped. i've been 3 mos on the cream, feels good. no more big and frequent pimples.

Thanks for the info. That makes sense. I've been applying it right after cleansing and i'm experiencing serious peeling!!