Need help under eye wrinkles and Retin A
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skin Care and Makeup Forum

Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:55 pm

Hello,

I have been reading posts on this site and finally joined today Very Happy

I am the type of person that will get excited about doing something, read copious amounts of info about it and then become overwhelmed and frustrated. I need some help Brick wall

A little info:
I am a 31 yr old female with combo/dry sensitive skin. Brown eyes/Natural Brown Hair. Tan easily/Rarely burns.

A few months ago I decided to take charge and try to rewind damage from years of sun and not washing off my makeup at night. I have stopped tanning my face and always wear at least SPF 30 now. For months now I have been using the Oil Cleansing Method and my skin drinks it up!

Here is my Regimen.
Morning:
Wash face in the morning with Philosophy Purity
Put on Philosophy Shelter SPF 30 sunscreen
If skin is parched I will add my Hope in a Jar for Sensitive Dry Skin then apply makeup.

In the Evening:
Wash face with mix of EVOO, Almond Oil and Castor Oil (sometimes will use micro beads or Purity).
Apply Retin A .05% every other night 30 mins after washing. Then 30 mins later I will add Vitamin E (the grade made for facial products) to my Hope in a Jar and put it on my face and neck.
My night off Retin A I just use the Vit E oil plus Hope in a Jar Moisturizer.

Sorry this is so long.

Here is my issue:

After months of doing this regimen (without Retin A JUST started Retin A this past week) none of my wrinkles have diminished or even slightly diminished. I have two deep wrinkles in my forehead and small wrinkles at the corner of my eyes and small ones under my eyes. As of recent started to get them around the cheeks. In fact I feel the creepiness under my eyes has worsened.

I have read many threads on here stating not to put any oils under your eyes at night. Could that be why I am getting creepiness under my eyes? My skin likes to drink it up and I thought it would help.

The other question I have is should I not be moisturizing after Retin A (even if I wait 30 mins)? I want it to be effective but I have sensitive combo/dry skin and I really need the moisturizer or I feel tight and itchy.

Any suggestions of what every one else does would be GREATLY appreciated! I have logged so many hours of trying to find out the best way to take care of my face and feel stumped. I hate this little wrinkles and if I can't actually make them go away would at least like to diminish the appearance.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for your help.

Tara wave

free skin care · Wed Dec 23, 2009 3:00 pm

Hello Tara Smile

You said "after months" - how many months exactly - two or more?

It is best not to moisturising after RA (except around eyes) for best effect of it.
Results will come, but you have to be patients. More wrinkled and crepey skin is not unusual in beginning, but after some time you will see improvements.

free skin care · Wed Dec 23, 2009 3:05 pm

uuups, I just realised that you started with RA not so long ago.
Well, I think that your regimen without RA is not supposed to give you some very drastic results with wrinkles.
Stick with RA - and results will come.
When? Few months to one year. But will come Smile

free skin care · Wed Dec 23, 2009 3:47 pm

If your face is dry, you can try Renova - the Retin A in a cream base. It is the Retin A in your routine which will make the difference as far as lines are concerned.

Oh yes, it will take months to see your results, but they will come.

I'm not saying it's bad, but I tried Vit E (alone years ago) and nada as far as visible results.

Wed Dec 23, 2009 4:20 pm

Welcome to EDS, tarapet. wave

If use the EDS "Search" link at the top of the screen, then type eye into the "Search for Keywords" field and EDS member keli13 in the "Search for Author" field, it will bring up many of Keli's posts on using Retin A in the eye area, what to expect, crepiness, when she got results etc. I found them really helpful and informative.

p.s. in the same search window, if you go to the "Return" option on the bottom right and select "All Available" from the pop-down menu, it will list all the search results (in this case, Keli's posts) in a continuous stream so that you don't have to keep popping in and out of the various threads to read them

free skin care · Wed Dec 23, 2009 5:16 pm

Is it true you shouldn't put oils underneath your eyes at night? Confused

Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:38 am

In regards to not putting oil under your eyes I read that in one of the numerous threads I sifted through. I am not sure how valid that is. One person recommended putting glycerin under the eyes and not oil. I would love to to hear what others have to say.

Thank you all for your responses. I guess I expected miracles from taking care of my skin. I am looking forward to seeing what will happen with the Retin A. I bought mine in Cozumel on my cruise so was a little concerned to how potent it is. From the reviews I read online it seems like a good generic brand.

At least my skin is healthier and I am on a better path to taking care of it!

Happy Holidays,

Tara

free skin care · Thu Dec 24, 2009 11:23 am

Tarapet, stick with the Retin-A. It will take from 6 months to a year to see real changes but it'll be so worth it. Your eye area may look a bit worse before it starts to look better. Mine did. There is nothing that can repair and prevent future issues on your entire face including around your eyes as Retin-A or Renova will. Just stick with what your doing.

Many other products may make your eye area look better temporarily but they don't really change the skin like Retinoids can.

It took years for your eye area to look like it does now, it'll take at least 6 months to year to start repairing from the inside out. Retin-A isn't a temporary fix. That's why it's considered a drug not a cosmetic or cosmeceutical.

Most products are geared toward fast results because that's what people want. The problem with those products is that they don't really change your skin. They help disguise the issue and temporarily make it look better.

I use Renova instead of Retin-A because it's more emollient for around my eye area but Retin-A is basically the same, just not as moisturizing. I started using Renova around my eyes a few nights a week and then stuck with every other night for about 2 years. Now I can apply it every night. I've been using Renova for almost 8 years now. I also use a moisturizer or eye cream about a 1/2 an hour after I apply my Renova.

For me the crepey or slightly worse look to my eye area lasted for the first couple of months. By month 6 I was amazed at the positive changes that were happening. My eye area was looking firmer, less lined, less crepey and just better all the way around. Now I have no lines around my eyes at all. I still have a few expression lines on my forehead like my 11's but they have been minimized alot by Renova and they are no way near as noticeable as they were years ago.

Good luck to you and keep doing what your doing. Give the Retin-A time to do it's thing. You'll be glad you did.

free skin care · Thu Dec 24, 2009 4:02 pm

Thanks Keli13, your post is encouraging to me. I've been using Renova (this time) for about 6 months - have now worked up to every night. I've just started putting a tiny amount under my eyes every other night and I've noticed it looks worse. I was thinking of stopping, but will keep it up and see if I can get past the "crepey eye" look. It's always helpful to hear the experiences of others.

free skin care · Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:48 pm

Hi Keli13,
You've probably answered this before, but what % retin a do you use? Thanks!

Kim

free skin care · Sat Dec 26, 2009 8:32 am

I started with .025% and after about a year I moved up to .05%. I've been using .05% for the last 7 years. That's the strength I plan on staying with for a longtime. Maybe someday I'll move up to the .1% strength but I don't feel I need to right now.
Using a higher strength does not mean you'll get better results. Being consistant is more important than the strength you use.

Some ladies have more sensitive skin and will be very happy sticking with the .025% strength for many years. It all depends on how resistant your skin is. Over time you can bump up the strength but don't think that if you do you'll get better results. Listen to your own skin. There is no rush to get to the highest strength.

free skin care · Sat Dec 26, 2009 10:05 am

Thanks, Keli13. I started using 0.025% in April when I started Nuderm and just recently bumped up to 0.05%. So far, so good. No new irritation or flakiness with the higher percent.

Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:25 am

keli13 wrote:

Tarapet, stick with the Retin-A. It will take from 6 months to a year to see real changes but it'll be so worth it. Your eye area may look a bit worse before it starts to look better. Mine did. There is nothing that can repair and prevent future issues on your entire face including around your eyes as Retin-A or Renova will. Just stick with what your doing.

Many other products may make your eye area look better temporarily but they don't really change the skin like Retinoids can.

It took years for your eye area to look like it does now, it'll take at least 6 months to year to start repairing from the inside out. Retin-A isn't a temporary fix. That's why it's considered a drug not a cosmetic or cosmeceutical.

Most products are geared toward fast results because that's what people want. The problem with those products is that they don't really change your skin. They help disguise the issue and temporarily make it look better.

I use Renova instead of Retin-A because it's more emollient for around my eye area but Retin-A is basically the same, just not as moisturizing. I started using Renova around my eyes a few nights a week and then stuck with every other night for about 2 years. Now I can apply it every night. I've been using Renova for almost 8 years now. I also use a moisturizer or eye cream about a 1/2 an hour after I apply my Renova.

For me the crepey or slightly worse look to my eye area lasted for the first couple of months. By month 6 I was amazed at the positive changes that were happening. My eye area was looking firmer, less lined, less crepey and just better all the way around. Now I have no lines around my eyes at all. I still have a few expression lines on my forehead like my 11's but they have been minimized alot by Renova and they are no way near as noticeable as they were years ago.

Good luck to you and keep doing what your doing. Give the Retin-A time to do it's thing. You'll be glad you did.

Keli13,

Thank you so much for you help. I will just stick with it (I plan on from here on out) and wait to see changes. Everything you said makes sense. I am excited to see what changes may take place in the future.

I have been using my .05% for a week and a half now. For the past 4 days I have used it every single night. I am still concerned with the validity of my product Reacel-A a generic form of Retin A I bought in Mexico. I read online that is works well on many websites. I haven't really noticed much of a change with my skin though. It has felt a bit tight but no peeling or redness. It makes me nervous that the product is not working. I do moisturize and use Vit E oil 30-60mins after though to help with hydration. Maybe that is why I am not experiencing the flaking or peeling?

Crossing my fingers that my Retin A is good! Expiration is not untill 2011.

Thanks so much!

Tara

free skin care · Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:14 am

I have used retin a under my eyes for about 10 months now.....i got good results in about 6 months using a thin layer under each eye at night. I then started to lather more on and my skin looked worse - creepy looking. My advice would be to follow the instructions and use a thin layer.
I apply retin a then about 20 - 30 mins later moisturise with jojoba or avocado oil. I dont believe this affects retin a's performance - after all Renova is just retin a with added moisturiser.
In terms of what to expect.......you will see diminished lines, mine lessened by about 50%.
However, it depends on the cause of your under eye lines. If the lines are caused by sagging skin, then retin a will not help. The best course of action then would be to start facial exercise to lift the eye area whilst resurfacing with retin a.

Mon Dec 28, 2009 11:48 am

jedder,

what eye exercises do you recommend? I have heard about facial exercises and wonder if they really work. What do you do? I have never done any but would love to hear what they are Very Happy

free skin care · Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:04 pm

I've been told the crepey skin caused by Retin A is due to the exfoliating effect. Once your skin gets used to shedding more frequently and there is less to shed, you will see diminished wrinkles. You might want to try a microfiber cloth to gently-gently stroke the undereye area while flooding it with plain water to help the shedding whenever you cleanse your face.

free skin care · Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:32 am

Tarapet,

Having reserched very thoroughly facial exercises, i am certain that they work. Obviously 'before and after' pictures on facial exercise websites have to be treated with caution....they are selling a product after all. However, by reading the multitude of threads on forums such as this....it is obvious they work.There are people doing a mixture of exercises from different books who have had great results with photos to prove it.... check out the diy forum.
Like anything some people claim to have bad results also. I think this is down to inproper exercising and also over exercising.
All of the individuals selling a facial exercise programme have a variation of 'lower lid wink' exercise. This is effective, but again takes time. Expect to see a difference in months, not weeks.
Make sure, you are not creating more lines when doing the exercises by holding the skin smoooth. I also find that it is better to do a smaller number of repetitions (10) while holding the 'wink' for longer ( i do 10 seconds). This ensures you are building the muscle without creating lines in your skin.
Having rest days from exercising is just as important as exercising itself......otherwise the muscles will not build....i do 3 days on, 1 day off.
Check out shapeyourface.com for some free exercises. Other popular programmes are 'ageless if you dare', 'flexeffect' and craol maggios.

Fri Mar 04, 2011 6:56 am

Hi, everyone! I'm new to forums and have found some really useful info here. I have a query and would like some advice from someone with personal experience.

I'm nearly 31 and after dermaroller treatment for fine lines under my eyes which didn't work for me I decided to try Retin-A 0.05%.

I've been using it every night for six months, but there hasn't been much real noticeable difference. Is it worth persevering or is this something else that isn't going to work for me? Maybe I'm doing something wrong? I do moisturise after applying Retin-A, but I wait at least an hour or two.

Tue Jan 31, 2012 6:56 am

I was using retin a cream 0.025% on my face and neck occasionally, then decided to try it on the under eye area ( which I had avoided). At first it went ok, until I used too much one evening and waited a few hours to use moisturiser instead of half an hour as I had previously. I then got the 'uglies' for a few weeks. Until I got them I didn't know what people were referring to, but I certainly do now!
I have since started using retin a micro, as its meant to be easier on the skin, and I'm being very sparing with it. Will use it twice a week for a while until I feel ready to use more regularly. I put it on half an hour after washing my face, then apply Every Lipid Serum an hour afterwards. so far so good as in no irritation, still early days tho.

free skin care · Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:54 pm

where can I get renova? Is it safe for around eye area? TIA

free skin care · Tue Jan 31, 2012 1:08 pm

I saw PSF brand with retinol 0.5%, I only have wrinkle below my eyes, can I use that? where can I get 0.25%? I am 34/35 yrs old... getting bday in 2 days LOL.

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