how often should you use retin-a after a year or so
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free skin care · Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:13 pm

after using retin-a for longer than a year, do you still need to use it everynight? i read some articles saying that using it once per 3 nights has exactly same result as using it every night, because after applying, retin-a stays in the skin for a long time.

what do u guys do? I love the result retin-a giving me and so scared to stop using it even one night......

free skin care · Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:34 pm

I am the opposite. I started by wearing it for a couple of hours and left it at that for a few years and it is just now that I am allowed to wear it overnight.

free skin care · Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:41 pm

I've been using Retin-A and Renova for 8 years. I use it every other night but I can use it nightly if I want to. I use every other night mainly because I like to use other products on the alternate nights.

free skin care · Sat Jan 30, 2010 6:20 pm

After using Retin A for a year I went to every other night application.
I have kept the same benefits as with nightly use.

free skin care · Sat Jan 30, 2010 6:24 pm

Yep, most of the studies have people going down to 3 times a week, which is pretty much every other day.

free skin care · Sun Jan 31, 2010 7:38 am

Its such a difficult question to answer, because it depends on the person's goals, how much damage they have to begin with etc. I have read that suggestion about 3 times a week, but never found it worked for me that well.

free skin care · Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:35 am

I am for every night, but with falling asleep in the middle of my routine, I estimate I'm getting about 4 to 5 nights a weeks.

free skin care · Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:24 am

I remember reading that the half life of retin-a is only about 2 hours. Its significantly longer for tazorac, something like 20 hours.

I think you need to experiment to see what works for your skin. Every other day may work fine for you or may find that you do need it more often.

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:38 am

After a couple of decades of using RA, I was surprised when my new Dermatologist suggested that to get the full benefit, I should use it every single night (of course I don't.) I was shocked. In addition he recommended applying a layer of Cerave after an hour, which was also counter to everything I've believed about using it....(which is not mixing it with any other products.)

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:52 am

I've never used retin-a as an every night regime. Currently I rotate with CP's. And I always put something over the retin-a about an hour later.

There always seems to be a difference of opinion among the Docs as to what is effective no matter what you are discussing. I suppose it depends upon age, condition of skin, (etc, etc) like every other skin care product we try. Very Happy

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:20 am

mountaingirl wrote:

After a couple of decades of using RA, I was surprised when my new Dermatologist suggested that to get the full benefit, I should use it every single night (of course I don't.) I was shocked. In addition he recommended applying a layer of Cerave after an hour, which was also counter to everything I've believed about using it....(which is not mixing it with any other products.)

That is interesting, mountaingirl. Did you happen to ask if there are new studies out that show after 1 year you need to use it every night? I am curious about that, and I don't think there has been anything new come out as far as the studies. The safety of nightly use of RA hasn't been studied past 4 years, I believe that was the longest study, but most of the studies were 2 years long. I would definitely be curious to hear his opinion on why nightly use after a certain period of time!

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:28 am

rileygirl wrote:

mountaingirl wrote:

After a couple of decades of using RA, I was surprised when my new Dermatologist suggested that to get the full benefit, I should use it every single night (of course I don't.) I was shocked. In addition he recommended applying a layer of Cerave after an hour, which was also counter to everything I've believed about using it....(which is not mixing it with any other products.)

That is interesting, mountaingirl. Did you happen to ask if there are new studies out that show after 1 year you need to use it every night? I am curious about that, and I don't think there has been anything new come out as far as the studies. The safety of nightly use of RA hasn't been studied past 4 years, I believe that was the longest study, but most of the studies were 2 years long. I would definitely be curious to hear his opinion on why nightly use after a certain period of time!

Me too.

A little story: I have a friend who's husband is a plastic surgeon - cosmetic only with a booming practice (Boy does she always look good Laughing

P.) the interesting part is He does not recommend retin a for anti-aging (acne only). I find that so odd. The last time I was with her I had been using the .1% retin a and had some flaking. She asked me why I use "that stuff". I mentioned retnoids as the gold standard in anti-aging and she was having none of it. Still shaking my head over that one. It seemed so dark ages.

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:28 am

Well if your derm's suggested it, it might be worth trying. Trouble with Retin A is that everybody's skin is different and wil react differently, so its impossible in my mind to make a recommendation that will be set in stone. Even the using every other night won't work for everyone.

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:37 am

sister sweets wrote:

the interesting part is He does not recommend retin a for anti-aging (acne only). I find that so odd.

You know, I actually read that in one of my books. I cannot remember which one, but they authors stated that there were newer and better things than Retin A when it came to anti-aging! I will have to dig around and see if I can find which book that was in (it was definitely not a textbook).

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:07 am

Its not that odd really when you consider it was developed for treating acne, but the lovely side benefits were that they noticed it was helping photo damaged skin. Its anti aging benefits were never the primary focus of the study, but were a lovely side effect that was noticed.

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:52 am

rileygirl wrote:

sister sweets wrote:

the interesting part is He does not recommend retin a for anti-aging (acne only). I find that so odd.

You know, I actually read that in one of my books. I cannot remember which one, but they authors stated that there were newer and better things than Retin A when it came to anti-aging! I will have to dig around and see if I can find which book that was in (it was definitely not a textbook).

Riley, does the book suggest what are the newer and better things than RA for anti-aging?

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:02 am

brierrose wrote:

Riley, does the book suggest what are the newer and better things than RA for anti-aging?

brierrose, I believe it was talking about peptides, etc., but I'm trying to find the book where I read that! I'll let you know what it says when I find which one it was in!

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 11:28 am

I haven't totally decided what I may do with Retin-a after a year...I am coming up on a year of nightly use next month and it has been a god send for me. I've just started within the last few weeks throwing in a night without retin-a and using an oil like avocado or rosehip by itself. I will probably continue to alternate every night with the oils and retin-a. One thing is for sure, I wont ever give up the retin Very Happy

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 11:48 am

HI Brierrose - I recall that also - I remember a post a while back with the newer recommendations for anti-aging and a link to an article. One of the recs was niacinimide - pretty sure and peptides.

I don't think this doc is recommending any new stuff either - sadly. Sad

I think he's missing the boat with all the clients he has.

The other p.s. a half hour away has a full range of Jan Marini and Skinceuticals and supplements plus a staff or estheticians. I started my skincare adventure there about 4 years ago with my first microdermabrasion and never looked back.

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:18 pm

brierrose wrote:

Riley, does the book suggest what are the newer and better things than RA for anti-aging?

Ok, here you go brierrose. Found the book. It is Beverly Hills Beauty Secrets by Douglas Hamilton, M.D., and Babak Azizzadeh, M.D. They say about the Retin A and TNS Growth Factor (Both of which I am using!!) that these "no longer pass muster" in their clinical opinions. In this book, they recommend for Reperative: Neostrata, RevalveSkin, Tri-Luma, and 302 protein drops (only for the neck and chest according to this book). For Preventative: Neova copper peptides, Nia24, Replenix, Citrix vitamin C, and Persimmon leaf (along with broad-spectrum sunscreen, of course). These doctors feel that the above products that I listed "surpass" Retin A. (I do not agree with them, and I still believe Retin A is the only thing proven topical.)

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:20 pm

I sure don't have experience with all those products they recommended, but soooooooo many of us are living, breathing examples that RETIN A WORKS! It transformed my horribly sundamaged skin after years and years as a tanorexic in Miami. I'm open to trying anything that comes close, but I sure haven't heard about any one thing yet.

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:30 pm

I remember Riley - it was the reason I checked out NIA 24, but decided against that route.

You might appreciate the following article. As it turns out, the proof is truly in the pudding. Retinol is, in fact, The Fountain of Youth! In a 2007 study performed at the University of Michigan, it was concluded that use of creams containing Retinol reversed aging skin. According to Dr. John Voorhees, MD, the Duncan and Ella Poth Distinguished professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University Medical School:

"In the past, it was everyone believed that retinoids would treat only photoaging, or damage from exposure to sun. This is the first systematic, double-blind study showing that it improves any kind of aging – photoaging, as well as natural aging… you can rub it anywhere, and it will help to treat the signs of aging."

The reduction of wrinkles among the study's participants was due to increased collagen production and a significant induction of glycosaminoglycans, which are known to retain large quantities of water. In general, aging skin tends to be thinner, laxer and more prone to fine wrinkles than young skin.
Click here to read more from this enlightening study about the effects of Retinol on aging skin and to see before and after photos.

http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2007/retinol.htm

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:05 pm

sister sweets wrote:

I remember Riley - it was the reason I checked out NIA 24, but decided against that route.

You might appreciate the following article. As it turns out, the proof is truly in the pudding. Retinol is, in fact, The Fountain of Youth! In a 2007 study performed at the University of Michigan, it was concluded that use of creams containing Retinol reversed aging skin. According to Dr. John Voorhees, MD, the Duncan and Ella Poth Distinguished professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University Medical School:

"In the past, it was everyone believed that retinoids would treat only photoaging, or damage from exposure to sun. This is the first systematic, double-blind study showing that it improves any kind of aging – photoaging, as well as natural aging… you can rub it anywhere, and it will help to treat the signs of aging."

The reduction of wrinkles among the study's participants was due to increased collagen production and a significant induction of glycosaminoglycans, which are known to retain large quantities of water. In general, aging skin tends to be thinner, laxer and more prone to fine wrinkles than young skin.
Click here to read more from this enlightening study about the effects of Retinol on aging skin and to see before and after photos.

http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2007/retinol.htm

cry, why it does not help my under eye area!!!

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:45 pm

sister sweets wrote:

I remember Riley - it was the reason I checked out NIA 24, but decided against that route.

You might appreciate the following article. As it turns out, the proof is truly in the pudding. Retinol is, in fact, The Fountain of Youth! In a 2007 study performed at the University of Michigan, it was concluded that use of creams containing Retinol reversed aging skin. According to Dr. John Voorhees, MD, the Duncan and Ella Poth Distinguished professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University Medical School:

"In the past, it was everyone believed that retinoids would treat only photoaging, or damage from exposure to sun. This is the first systematic, double-blind study showing that it improves any kind of aging – photoaging, as well as natural aging… you can rub it anywhere, and it will help to treat the signs of aging."

The reduction of wrinkles among the study's participants was due to increased collagen production and a significant induction of glycosaminoglycans, which are known to retain large quantities of water. In general, aging skin tends to be thinner, laxer and more prone to fine wrinkles than young skin.
Click here to read more from this enlightening study about the effects of Retinol on aging skin and to see before and after photos.

http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2007/retinol.htm

If you wish to read the complete study, you can find it here:

http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/143/5/606

However, this study was for a lotion containing 0.4% retinol, which is not the active ingredient in Retin-A (which would be tretinoin AKA all-trans retinoic acid).

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:48 pm

hellenzqq wrote:

sister sweets wrote:

I remember Riley - it was the reason I checked out NIA 24, but decided against that route.

You might appreciate the following article. As it turns out, the proof is truly in the pudding. Retinol is, in fact, The Fountain of Youth! In a 2007 study performed at the University of Michigan, it was concluded that use of creams containing Retinol reversed aging skin. According to Dr. John Voorhees, MD, the Duncan and Ella Poth Distinguished professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University Medical School:

"In the past, it was everyone believed that retinoids would treat only photoaging, or damage from exposure to sun. This is the first systematic, double-blind study showing that it improves any kind of aging – photoaging, as well as natural aging… you can rub it anywhere, and it will help to treat the signs of aging."

The reduction of wrinkles among the study's participants was due to increased collagen production and a significant induction of glycosaminoglycans, which are known to retain large quantities of water. In general, aging skin tends to be thinner, laxer and more prone to fine wrinkles than young skin.
Click here to read more from this enlightening study about the effects of Retinol on aging skin and to see before and after photos.

http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2007/retinol.htm

cry, why it does not help my under eye area!!!

give it time - how long have you been using it under your eyes?

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