retin A question
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free skin care · Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:09 am

I use tazarac which is a strong retin a., however are you supposed to use retin a all over face and neck or just where you want help? I have been using it on my crows feet and under my eyes,parts of my face and neck but not by my chin and mouth area because my skin always flakes so bad there.Can you just do part of your face?

Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:35 am

Yes, it is fine to "spot-treat" especially if you do not have fine lines or breakouts in the the other areas. Don't forget to use a good sunscreen while using Retin-A!!!

free skin care · Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:22 pm

Ive been using retin a for 6 weeks now and still peeling. Can anyone tell me how long this lasts for? Im getting a bit sick of it - my makeup looks terrible today.

Im using 4 days a week and this week im feeling a bit sensitive. Is it normal to not feel sensitive for 5 weeks then suddenly you are? Because i thought it would be the other way round!

Should i give my skin a few days break from it?

Also there's no sign of blackheads going either - they just seem to be drawn to the surface and wont budge(most anyway - some have extracted themselves when I gently go over them with my fingernails but majority of them are still there)

Thanks Very Happy

free skin care · Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:55 pm

my skin still peels after a few years of retin a usage. unfortunately, the peeling doesn't go away for me.

carolb69: the blackheads also just stay near the surface of the skin for me. i just use a blackhead extractor tool to get rid of them.

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:59 am

Maybe you are applying it too heavy. Try a pea size amount on your hand and then blend in really well. The other thing I do is make sure I really exfoliate in the shower before applying when I get out. I use a wash cloth and my cleanser to get rid of all the flakes. I know my skin peeled for a while when I first started and still does a little bit when I apply to much. Give that a try

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:59 am

I've used Retin A for 4 years now and still get flaky sometimes. I use glycolic acid products (face wash, daily lotion, and night time lotion) and I think this helps to stop most of the flakies and dryness because my skin is constantly being renewed. However, I do from time to time get some dryness and flakiness even after using it for such a long time.

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:57 pm

bergquis wrote:

Maybe you are applying it too heavy. Try a pea size amount on your hand and then blend in really well. The other thing I do is make sure I really exfoliate in the shower before applying when I get out. I use a wash cloth and my cleanser to get rid of all the flakes. I know my skin peeled for a while when I first started and still does a little bit when I apply to much. Give that a try

you are right, i do sometimes apply too much. Confused

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:08 pm

Hi carolb69. My responses are in violet.

carolb69 wrote:

Ive been using retin a for 6 weeks now and still peeling. Can anyone tell me how long this lasts for? Im getting a bit sick of it - my makeup looks terrible today.

How much are you using? Like someone else said on this thread try minimizing your usage to a pea size amount. In using a product like this, peeling is inevitable and the best way to combat this is to exfoliate regularly. I have found that doing an aspirin mask 2-3 times weekly and an enzyme peel (I use PSF's pumpkin mask) 1-2 times weekly really helps. I am going to be ordering Epidermx II soon to also help keep my skin smooth.

Im using 4 days a week and this week im feeling a bit sensitive. Is it normal to not feel sensitive for 5 weeks then suddenly you are? Because i thought it would be the other way round!

I would think it would be the other way around too. Perhaps it's b/c you have revealed new skin after 5 weeks of use and the new skin is sensitive. Have you changed any other products you are using? Try to use products that are calming and soothing.

Should i give my skin a few days break from it?

Perhaps try taking a 2 night break. Sometimes I do this when my skin starts becoming too irritated. I wouldn't think taking too long of a break would be beneficial though b/c you want to be consistent with treatment.

Also there's no sign of blackheads going either - they just seem to be drawn to the surface and wont budge(most anyway - some have extracted themselves when I gently go over them with my fingernails but majority of them are still there)

I found this too. After adding in the PSF pumpkin mask to my routine, I've found that my blackheads have been further minimized.

Thanks Very Happy

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:13 pm

lucyluc wrote:

I use tazarac which is a strong retin a., however are you supposed to use retin a all over face and neck or just where you want help? I have been using it on my crows feet and under my eyes,parts of my face and neck but not by my chin and mouth area because my skin always flakes so bad there.Can you just do part of your face?

Hi lucyluc,

Spot treating is fine just as long as you are consistent with the spots you are applying it to (apply it to the same spots consistently). This is probably what you are doing already but I just wanted to say this just in case!

I never apply Taz to the area above my lips- my skin is way too sensitive there.

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:13 pm

I was using just a pea size amount of retin a and my skin was peeling and felt sunburned for weeks. I kept hoping it would get better. When I went in for my 6 week followup my derm switched me to retin a micro and I have NO PEELING NOW and I have no sunburned feeling skin. It feels soo much better. So just a thought that there is def a difference between the two and maybe you could try the other if one isn't right for you.

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:55 pm

It is my understanding that Tazorac is also a gentler alternative to Retin A.

free skin care · Fri Jun 08, 2007 4:51 am

Thanks for the feedback Very Happy

Amnis thanks for answering all my questions:)Im using it everywhere but my cheeks (bit scared of getting more broken caps). My skin feels better today, the peeling comes and goes. I'll peel for a couple of days, then it will go away for a couple of days, then peel again etc. Funnily enough though, the skin above my top lip and the skin around my eyes havent peeled. Its more around the chin and nose. They are my worse spots for blackheads.

I dont feel irritated today so not sure what it was but im having a 2 night break. I dont think im using too much.

I havent been exfoliating since i started on retin a. I thought it might be too much but maybe i should give it a try? Ive been using I feel pretty pearl powder, GOW's Azulene Cream and using Rosacure as well.

World of Mirth I'll keep that in mind about the Retin a micro. Do you find it drying at all? Thanks.

Bergquis I find Dermalogica Precleanse good. I can actually feel the skin come loose as i massage it in. I do think it helps keep it under control a bit.

free skin care · Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:42 am

My skin is oily but super sensitive which is weird I know. The retin a micro has caused me zero problems with dryness. It is supposed to be more moisturizing than reg retin a. As always YMMV.

free skin care · Sat Jun 09, 2007 11:12 am

carolb69 wrote:

Thanks for the feedback Very Happy

Amnis thanks for answering all my questions:)Im using it everywhere but my cheeks (bit scared of getting more broken caps). My skin feels better today, the peeling comes and goes. I'll peel for a couple of days, then it will go away for a couple of days, then peel again etc. Funnily enough though, the skin above my top lip and the skin around my eyes havent peeled. Its more around the chin and nose. They are my worse spots for blackheads.

I dont feel irritated today so not sure what it was but im having a 2 night break. I dont think im using too much.

I havent been exfoliating since i started on retin a. I thought it might be too much but maybe i should give it a try? Ive been using I feel pretty pearl powder, GOW's Azulene Cream and using Rosacure as well.

Gentle exfoliation is fine and beneficial for your skin. IMO it helps the retin-a work a lot better. You just don't want to scrub your face raw!

Rosacure should really help calm any irritation that the retin-a might cause.

Some flakiness is just one thing one has to put up with when using a prescription retinoid product. At least that's what I've resolved myself to accept. Smile

And regular exfoliation helps me to deal with it.

free skin care · Sat Jun 09, 2007 11:14 am

world~of~mirth wrote:

My skin is oily but super sensitive which is weird I know. The retin a micro has caused me zero problems with dryness. It is supposed to be more moisturizing than reg retin a. As always YMMV.

Hi world of mirth, I have the same type of skin- sensitive and oily. Rolling Eyes

I don't think it's as uncommon as you think. Glad to hear that the retin-a micro is working well for you!

Sun Jun 10, 2007 12:58 am

Hi,
I have just received my first tube of retin A. I have been reading the forum for a while, but am not sure how many times a week I should use it? I put it on last night at bed time, a pea sized amount all over my face.

But, should I use it everyday?

Any tips on using it would be welcomed, thanks!

I am also planning to use sunscreen which others have mentioned.

Libby

free skin care · Sun Jun 10, 2007 1:47 am

Start with one night in three, then if you have no problems after 2 weeks, can step up to alternate nights and if no problems, to every night. Depends on your own skin's reaction to the product. Everyone is different.

free skin care · Sun Jun 10, 2007 5:28 am

i thought tazarac was stronger than retin.

free skin care · Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:27 am

Use only on areas where you need it.
Cheers.

lucyluc wrote:

I use tazarac which is a strong retin a., however are you supposed to use retin a all over face and neck or just where you want help? I have been using it on my crows feet and under my eyes,parts of my face and neck but not by my chin and mouth area because my skin always flakes so bad there.Can you just do part of your face?

free skin care · Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:24 pm

libertybelle wrote:

Hi,
I have just received my first tube of retin A. I have been reading the forum for a while, but am not sure how many times a week I should use it? I put it on last night at bed time, a pea sized amount all over my face.

But, should I use it everyday?

Any tips on using it would be welcomed, thanks!

I am also planning to use sunscreen which others have mentioned.

Libby

Everybody's skin tolerates Retin-A differently. I can use it twice a day with no problem. I'd recommend starting out using it every other day and seeing how your skin reacts. Remember that sometimes acne will get worse before it gets better, so don't give up before it starts really working!

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