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Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:02 pm  |
| I've recently moved up to a higher strength of Retin A and my skin is covered in peeling skin. My makeup looks terrible at the moment because the peeling skin is making it look so uneven. The skin isn't too sore, I'm more concerned with getting rid of peeling skin as quickly as possible. Is there a way of preventing this from occuring? Please help! |
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Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:29 pm |
| Have you checked with your dermatologist? When I moved up to 0.1% I didn't use it every day and alternated at night with a good moisturizer. Best, though, to follow your doctor's recommendations. |
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Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:35 pm |
| Yes, he suggested that I move up to the next level. |
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Thu Jun 28, 2007 4:17 pm |
| Cut down to alternate night usage or one in three nights until your skin gets used to it, then gradually increase frequency until you can use it every night. I found that Jurlique Calendula cream was useful for the flaking. |
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Thu Jun 28, 2007 4:53 pm |
Ask your dermo about OTC 1% hydrocortisone cream which was very effective for the flaking/redness when I was using Retin A. (Stupid Blue Cross won't cover it now even though they paid for Accutane when I was 37  I suppose they think that I should be done with acne by my 40s.)
My only caution would be to not use it frequently (not for more than a week and not daily) as it can have adverse effects if you use it too often. After the hydrocortisone dries, I followed it with a heavy, occlusive cream like Eucerin or Aquaphor.
This worked really well for me. I got this tip from one of my former employees who had been a staff scientist at FDA. She was in her 70s and had remarkable skin, but was pretty stingy with advice. |
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Thu Jun 28, 2007 5:15 pm |
| Thank you for those recommendations. Can anyone recommend an exfoliator for removing the peeling skin without irritation please? |
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Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:43 pm |
| Jurlique face wash cream or Dr. Hauschka cleansing cream. The DHCC is more suitable for dry skin. Both are non-irritating as there are no scrubbing beads or chemicals (hydroxy acids). |
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Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:22 pm |
| Thanks. Do they exfoliate or just gently cleanse? |
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Thu Jun 28, 2007 10:12 pm |
Hi Camelia,
I highly recommend you use Dermalogica's microfoliant. When I started with Taz I looked just HORRIBLE, but then I discovered this gem. I still use it almost everyday and it takes care of the buildup of flakes instantly. You'll love it, you must get it. HTH |
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34, sometimes temperamental, acne-prone skin. Rx retinoids, AALS, TCA peels and sunscreen are staples. |
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Thu Jun 28, 2007 10:14 pm |
Exfoliate. I used the Jurlique one, but others said the DHCC was somewhat similar, but less drying. The Jurlique one has a mixture that contains oats. You make a paste with water or the rose toner, apply on the face and use the "press and roll" technique. Press the paste on the skin and release (produces a suction effect), repeat all over the face. You can vary the time you do it, depending on the condition of your skin. Do a search for the reviews and comments on this and the DHCC. I learned about it on this board.
Dermalogica microfoliant would also be useful, it's like a gentle scrub. Some people have found this to be a bit drying with long term use. Of the 3 products, the DHCC would be the least drying. The Jurlique product is called Face Wash Cream. Don't get it confused with the cleansers. This one comes in a tube. |
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Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:09 pm |
Have you thought of just using a rich cleansing lotion or oil. Massaging the oil onto your face and then using a washcloth to help exfoliate has worked for me!  |
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Fri Jun 29, 2007 7:49 pm |
| I use Retin A and am now using Ice Elements 2 Minute Miracle exfoliating gel. It gets rid of my flakies and doesn't irritate my skin. Love it! |
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Fri Jun 29, 2007 8:40 pm |
| I recommend a microfiber cloth. You control the intensity of it, and it really gets rid of the flakes! NCN carries one and I have read about others on ebay. HTH! |
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Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:57 am |
I use baking soda to exfoliate and it works! I tried so many brands and nothing was as effective. I use it every other day. Plus it's gentle which is what you want. So many were too rough and didn't work well. The baking soda really makes you glow!
Also I use Cetaphil Cream at night. After I found these two things my skin was perfect. No more flakey and peeling skin. Aquaphor was too greasy and didn't work as well for me. ETA- the OCM didn't do much for the flaking and peeling. I still needed to exfoilate and it was a PITA so I just stuck with my regular cleanser. |
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Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:06 am |
| m1rox wrote: |
| Cut down to alternate night usage or one in three nights until your skin gets used to it, then gradually increase frequency until you can use it every night. |
I agree you need to cut down the usage and layer only a very thin layer when you use it. Once your skin gets use to the Retin A then you can gradually begin to increase frequency. This should prevent the bad peeling. |
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Wed Jul 04, 2007 6:57 am |
| mash some fresh ripe papaya from the grocery store and apply as a mask. The protein digesting enzymes will "eat" the flakies and your skin will be baby butt smooth....i've also done this with fresh pureed pineapple. |
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oily tzone;fair; mild roseacea;PCOS symptoms-hirsutism,occasional cystic acne. Mid 30's-light-med brown hair, light brown eyes |
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Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:37 am |
| rosyface wrote: |
| mash some fresh ripe papaya from the grocery store and apply as a mask. The protein digesting enzymes will "eat" the flakies and your skin will be baby butt smooth....i've also done this with fresh pureed pineapple. |
Fresh, ripe papaya is sweet and delicious. I'd be too tempted to eat the mask.  |
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Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:53 am |
| it wouldn't hurt if some happened to slip into your mouth on the way to your face |
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oily tzone;fair; mild roseacea;PCOS symptoms-hirsutism,occasional cystic acne. Mid 30's-light-med brown hair, light brown eyes |
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Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:30 pm |
Wow, thank you so very much for all your replies, I haven't been able to get online for a few days and it was a lovely suprise to see all those helpful replies.
Very, very helpful.
Camelia |
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Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:28 pm |
| rosyface wrote: |
| it wouldn't hurt if some happened to slip into your mouth on the way to your face |
I agree! Actually, I have an enzyme exfoliator based on papaya enzymes. I got this from the spa and it works really well. I think it is much more mild than manual exfoliation so good for days when I feel my skin is more sensitive.
Camelia, I hope you find some of the comments helpful to you and your skin gets better.  |
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msrubi
New Member
 
Joined: 04 Jul 2007
Posts: 9
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Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:32 am |
Definitely cut back on your frequency of usage and use a soft cloth because the Retin A IS peeling and exfolliating. You just want to get the flakes, which are exfolliated skin, off. Microfiber or soft washcloth and a gentle cleanser (Cetaphil)!
I've used Retin A for years and when I moved up to the higher strength I used it every 3rd night and still do. I use it for cystic acne (I am 45 and still have zits) and that regimen works for me. Once you are used to it then you can try every other night. It won't hurt to cut back. And SUNSCREEN!!!!! |
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Thu Jul 05, 2007 3:49 pm |
| Camelia wrote: |
| I've recently moved up to a higher strength of Retin A and my skin is covered in peeling skin. My makeup looks terrible at the moment because the peeling skin is making it look so uneven. The skin isn't too sore, I'm more concerned with getting rid of peeling skin as quickly as possible. Is there a way of preventing this from occuring? Please help! |
Hi there Camelia, I just left a 30% glycolic peel on for 20 minutes.It left sensitive areas red. But,no serious damage.I used Emu and HA.The small peelies started and I used the baking soda method for gentle exfoliation,as someone just suggested here.This is the 4th day and I have been applying the Emu,HA,VitC. This seems to be working for me.I also put some SuperCop2 on my acne scars at night.I hope your irritation stops soon.Sounds like you are getting a lot of valuable suggestions.I am far from an expert,and do not suggest that anyone use 30% glycolic unless you have worked up to it.I am learning little by little what works for my skin.
Best of luck
Linda |
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Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:02 pm |
| The best is to leave your skin alone when peeling from Vita A creams,you know they are working when you peel.You can use it every third night,and let your face dry for 1 hour before you apply and only use 1 pea size for your entire face. |
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Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:22 pm |
| Thank you very much for all your replies. How do you get one pea sized amount to spread over your whole face? I must have a supersized face or something, but that amount would only spread over about half of mine. |
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Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:45 pm |
I have to agree with OCM for the most gentle exfoliation method.
I use a combination of avocado and grape seed oils and find that the exfoliation and deep cleaning benefits are not in the washing off but in the massage. When I've been in dire need I'll put a movie in and massage the oils in for the entire length of the film. When I remove the oil with a warm, damp cloth my skin is flake free and poreless looking.
I wouldn't recommend doing this every day because it's actually somewhat stripping by removing sebum from the skin. If you do this use a nourishing moisturizer or oil afterwards to heal and prevent more flakes from forming.
HTH! |
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