Retin-A - how often?
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Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:44 pm

Hey all,

How often do you need to use retin-A in order for it to be effective for wrinkles? Is every-other-day sufficient?

Thanks!

free skin care · Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:59 pm

Everybody's skin is different. So we cannot say how often you yourself would need to use it. If you already have wrinkles, you would need to use it every day at first, then cut down the frequency. If you don't have acne, 0.025% would be sufficient. And it would be better not to use Retin A but a more emollient base like Renova if you only need the anti-ageing effects. The Retin A has alcohol and tends to cause more irritation than Renova. You might experience your skin getting worse initially before it improves. Purging (pimples) might also get worse in the first few weeks of usage. Some people don't see effects until they use it for 6 months up to more than a year. It's not an instant miracle wrinkle lifter. It works gradually over time.

Oh, and you need to get yourself a super sunscreen with high UVA protection to use with it too. It will enhance the anti-ageing effects of the retin A and protect you from the sun sensitivity caused by retin A.

free skin care · Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:15 pm

I have been using Retin A for over a year now and I apply it maybe a few times each week, because that is all my skin can handle.

I think it is effective at this rate of application, for me.

free skin care · Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:29 am

I think every other night will be fine, but you need to pay attention to how your skin responds and really need to use it for up to a year to gain all the benefits, as in the original studies done on tretinion (which is the main ingredient in Retin A) was done nightly, but many people I know use it every other night and still get the benefits.

One mistake that many people make is stopping and starting, and that doesn't seem to produce the same results as using it regularly.

There are many studies on this, but you have to start with a low dose and slowly work your way up, to minimize side effects. Also use a good sunscreen daily, rain or shine.

free skin care · Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:51 pm

Retin-A should be used very carefully, since this is a pretty effective ingredient.
If you decide to use it, I advise you to use everyday, or else this ingredient may not reach its own influence. Most serum or cream are designed for everyday use.

free skin care · Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:07 pm

Is retin-a supposed to clear up hyperpigmentation spots as well?

free skin care · Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:29 pm

I use it 2-3 times a week, only use it at night.

free skin care · Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:41 pm

ruk1 wrote:

Is retin-a supposed to clear up hyperpigmentation spots as well?

It can, but if you have brown spots there are other more effective ways. Retin A by itself is less effective and takes longer than Retin A + hydroquinone, or Tri Luma, which is Retin A, hydroquinone and a weak cortosteroid.

free skin care · Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:06 am

I also agree that to get the best results Retin A should be used every day...but in the winter time my skin just can't handle that, so I'm lucky to use it 2x a week. Sleeping with a humidifier makes using it in the winter more tolerable! (Unfortunately humidifiers cause me to get sinus infection so I don't do that anymore.) I definitely think Retin A helps with hyperpigmentation, but it is a slow process.

free skin care · Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:47 am

The studies showed Retin A was most effective with nightly use for 1 year, and then backing off to only 2-3 times a week after that to maintain your results.

free skin care · Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:43 am

Although the original studies were done nightly, I had a few friends who told me a couple of years ago that the same results could actually be achieved by using it every other night (with a night between of no use), as this way the body wasn't going to be overburdened with it.

This way it also doesn't eat into your supply of the cream/gel. There was a bit of a theory that the only reason it was suggested to do nightly was to make sure that people needed to get a prescription and repurchase more regularly, and there may be some truth to that (but I am not sure this is 100% true), but I have noticed that for many people who get redness and peeling, they found that using it every other night didn't seem to iritate their skin, and yet it was still regular enough to deliver those same lasting results.

Some people find that applying an oil (and you have to wait between 25-30 minutes after applying the Retin A) seems to help with the iritation and dryness that can occur.

Others really like (and I am one of them for sure) the Retin A microgel. Although its a gel, its time released so it releases tretinion throughout the night in small dozes, so you don't hit the skin with the full whack of power. The ordinary gel (non-micro) often is very strong for even oily skinned people, but the microgel seems to work well for most from what I have read.

Obviously though its a prescription medicine for a reason, so hopefully you will be working with a professional derm to better advise you in your own particular case on this!

free skin care · Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:18 pm

How one would implement the use of a hydroquinone based product with retin-a? I just purchased the Paula's Choice skin lightener which has hydroquinone and glycolic acid...wondering how I would use that with Retin-A......

free skin care · Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:24 pm

bren21, with the Obagi Nu Derm (which uses all the ingredients you mentioned), they have you put the hydroquinone product first, then the Retin A. If you were going to use both at the same time, I would put the Paula's Choice lightener on first and then the Retin A. But, you could also just use the PC in the morning, and the RA at night. I would make sure you skin could handle it before using the PC and RA at the same time. That is just my opinion though!

free skin care · Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:16 am

Hey Riley....been using the PC for a bit now and my skin seems ok with it, so I may up it to nightly before the retin-a as well and see how it goes. How long after the PC should I wait to put on the retin-a? Man, I am really loving this stuff (retin-a)!! It has already done wonders for my skin and it has only been a month.

Another question too....I don't plan on upping to the highest retin-a anytime soon, but, when would be a good time to up it to the 1% if at all? How long should I be on the .05% before I do that? I am not sure what the standard protocol is....but, I am loving the .05 at the moment so I am sticking with a good thing while I got it Wink

But just for future reference, would like to know a good time to switch and try out the 1%.......

free skin care · Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:38 am

bren21 wrote:

Hey Riley....been using the PC for a bit now and my skin seems ok with it, so I may up it to nightly before the retin-a as well and see how it goes. How long after the PC should I wait to put on the retin-a? Man, I am really loving this stuff (retin-a)!! It has already done wonders for my skin and it has only been a month.

Another question too....I don't plan on upping to the highest retin-a anytime soon, but, when would be a good time to up it to the 1% if at all? How long should I be on the .05% before I do that? I am not sure what the standard protocol is....but, I am loving the .05 at the moment so I am sticking with a good thing while I got it Wink

But just for future reference, would like to know a good time to switch and try out the 1%.......

Just make sure the PC is absorbed completely, and then you can apply the Retin A. Some people like to give 1 hour, but I am just going by the "Nu Derm" routine, and there was no wait. So that will be your choice!

Honestly, regarding upping the RA, I wouldn't. It has been shown that the .05 will have the same results without a lot of the skin reactions associated with the higher %. But, if you are wanting to try it out, I would say to finish the entire tube of the .05 before upping!

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