I started Retin-A last night!
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free skin care · Tue Dec 09, 2014 5:57 am

Actually I seldom expose myself to sunlight. I avoid sunlight as much as I can, and thus my hats are usually very big one. What's more, I use umbrella with sunscreen function too.

I don't like sunlight personally, and I was extra cautious of it during the time I used Retin A

free skin care · Tue Dec 09, 2014 9:24 am

Don't know if I should start a new thread but I'll ask here first:

I use Retin A .025 gel every night. My skin feels a bit tight and dry afterward, so I am wondering if I could put jojoba oil on top or some other moisturizer before I sleep.

I have so many Clinique samples that I think are rubbish for anti-aging but might be good for a moisturizer. Lots of samples of their Repairwear Laser Focus. I don't want to work at cross purposes to the retin A though. Perhaps it's good to feel dried out so I can use my Clairisonic every morning to whisk away those flakes.

free skin care · Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:14 am

It's normal for you to feel tight and dry when using Retin A. After applying Retin A to the face for about 20mins, sometimes I did apply moisturizer (e.g. la mer) on top.

I don't think it's a good idea to use Clarisonic when you are using Retin A, for Retin A is rather strong to the skin. Using Clarisonic may further dry out your face.

free skin care · Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:50 am

Wait around and hour after applying your Retin-A and then apply a good moisturizer. An oil such as Emu oil is a great idea. The Clarisonic in the morning is fine.

Mon Dec 15, 2014 6:47 am

Hi, new to the forum, started a regimen with tretinoin 0.1% a week ago to fade and remove a raised scar. My surgeon recomended it but I have read in forums that it won't help with scars, and if it does it take 6 months? Anyone here with an experience?
Have applied every night for a week and nothing, only very slight peeling

free skin care · Mon Dec 15, 2014 8:32 am

Okay great that you are working with a surgeon. With scars, it depends on the depth/width of the scar as to how much can be done, but Retin A has more studies than any other topical out there as to its effectiveness in skin remodelling.

Now with what you read on forums, take everything with a pinch of salt as what you will read will be based on that individuals personal history, body chemistry, etc and often times they may not give you the full story. I have used Retin A for over 30 plus years and wouldn’t be without it, but have worked with the same derm since my late 20’s and please God I pray he never retires because I have built up a really good relationship with him that’s irreplaceable. Retin A does need time to work, and simply because you have only a slight peeling doesn’t mean its not doing its thing…. It will be working. Peeling comes and goes at different times and at different stages for everyone, no two people are identical in when they peel and how long for etc.

guineagirl wrote:

Hi, new to the forum, started a regimen with tretinoin 0.1% a week ago to fade and remove a raised scar. My surgeon recomended it but I have read in forums that it won't help with scars, and if it does it take 6 months? Anyone here with an experience?
Have applied every night for a week and nothing, only very slight peeling

Tue Dec 16, 2014 6:09 am

Thanks TheresaMary, well I dont know in and out honestly, as I have also read some doctors on realself swear that retinol doesnt do anything for scars. Did you use it for scars?
Today peeling in most of the face, skin tone dull.

Used fraxel for scar but got burned due to med spa's mistake and will not do fraxel anymore, considering dermapen

free skin care · Wed Dec 17, 2014 2:44 am

I didn't use it for scars, and imagine if I was dealing with scars I would opt for something like copper peptides instead (just my personal preference).

You know many years ago, many people swore the world was flat. I liken that to the comment that some doctors on realself say. I know many derms and doctors who have written that Retin A is good, but Retin-A is different than Retinol - they work similarly but are different which is worth noting.

guineagirl wrote:

Thanks TheresaMary, well I dont know in and out honestly, as I have also read some doctors on realself swear that retinol doesnt do anything for scars. Did you use it for scars?
Today peeling in most of the face, skin tone dull.

Used fraxel for scar but got burned due to med spa's mistake and will not do fraxel anymore, considering dermapen

free skin care · Sun Feb 01, 2015 3:00 pm

Night before last, I used too much Retin-A on my lower face and throat. I used a tissue to wipe some off and rubbed the excess into my hands, but I should have washed it off my neck entirely because right now it's SO DRY that it's crackling! Everything stings - I'm using olive oil and nothing else. I do have some generic neosporin, I might use that as it's very greasy and occlusive.

Never again! I'm going to be so careful from now on!

free skin care · Sun Feb 01, 2015 9:10 pm

I can't use retin A on my neck either and I only use the .025%. Even tried vitamin C 15% serum and that's very harsh for the neck but I alternate nights with SkinBiology's Squalane with Retinol and that seems to be okay.

free skin care · Mon Feb 02, 2015 2:57 am

I've got some Cucumber Calm serum and it really helps my face, which is still a bit dry but no where near as dry as my neck, which feels and looks like alligator skin! Sad

I'm keeping it coated with oil. When the oil absorbs I can run my hand lightly across my throat and a lot of skin rubs off with it. I don't want to screw it up so I've stopped rubbing but it's driving me insane!

That said, for me Retin-A cream is golden. It's improved my skin texture and tone SO MUCH.

free skin care · Mon Mar 16, 2015 5:03 am

At nearly a year of using Retin-A now. I can say that it has improved my skin ten- or even twenty-fold. The texture is so smooth, sun damage (spots) are very faded out, not quite gone but I'll bet another few months will vanquish them. My skin is so soft and smooth - velvety, even. It feels "springy" to the touch. Not bad for almost-60-year-old skin. Twice, I've used too much on my neck and got very rough and dry there, and once on my chin. Other than that I really didn't have much in the way of side effects - I guess I was one of the lucky ones who don't have to go through hell to get to heaven, so to speak. But even if I had, this is worth it!

I can safely say that this is the best thing I've ever done for my skin. If you're thinking about using Retin-A and have the patience to wait for results, stop thinking about it and start using it!

free skin care · Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:15 pm

Do I have to get it prescribed by a derm?

free skin care · Wed Mar 18, 2015 12:20 pm

I don't have a prescription. I buy it now on ebay but have also bought it at inhousepharmacy.vu.

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