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Mon Jun 26, 2006 2:05 am  |
Hi
I noticed a couple of people have mentioned lately that Retin A used to work for them but doesn't now.
What's the problem with it? Does it cause irritation or no longer firm the skin?
Just interested, thanks - Molly |
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Sun Jul 02, 2006 12:57 pm |
| Your skin builds up tolerance so it doesnt respond as well to it any more. my cosmetic surgeon says if it stops working for u stop completely for at least 1 week and then start again. either that or u can increase the dosage. |
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Sun Jul 02, 2006 1:33 pm |
| I had the same problem so now I switch back and forth between the retin-a and salycilic acid. I will use retin-a for a few months and then switch to the salicylic for a few months. I use the retin-a micro so I don't have to endure the purging and redness as much when I start back on the retin-a. |
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Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:47 am |
| I was on retin a for a while and that is about how long it worked, for a while. Even when I stopped and started again, it never did work as it did when I originally started using it. So I gave up. If I was not peeling, I had huge breakouts because it stopped working...as I have found with many RX's or OTC. You just build up a tolerance, which is crazy... |
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Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:07 am |
Molly - just an FYI but I have read that you should use RA every night for 4 months and then back off to a few times a week. Maybe the rationale behind this is so your skin does not develop a tolerance to it? Just thought I would share what I had read!  |
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Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:46 am |
I don't know if I fit your qualifications for "long-term" (I've been using Retin A regularly for less than a year), but I can comment anyway...
I started off with the .05 for about 6-7 months (probably 5 times per week) and though my skin felt soft/smooth, I was craving more noticeable results, so I got upped to the .25 strength. In the beginning I was impressed, I seemed to notice more of a change with my skin, but now I'm back to where I was before: not really noticing much.
It could be that I'm just used to the Retin A results, so I don't see an active "change" and therefore don't get impressed. It could also be that the results are happening more gradually than I can notice definitively.
I know that my skin is better now than it was before I became a regular Retin A user. The dramatic results I initially (and probably unrealistically) hoped for -- improving acne scars/marks and reducing some lines around my eyes -- are pretty subtle.
Even so, I recommend using it. I think if you're persistent with it, it's a good product. |
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Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:57 am |
| I use tazorac .05 and to keep myself from building tolerance to it, I use Jan Marini's Bioclear a couple of nights a week. |
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glitteron123
New Member
 
Joined: 04 Jul 2006
Posts: 4
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Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:08 pm |
| i've been using retin a for a little over a year in combination w cleocin t. i think it has not been working effectively as it used to, for a few months now. |
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Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:24 pm |
Hi
Thanks for all the answers. I used it for over a year and I don't think you actually notice the difference after a while. I'm thinking that's just perception because now I'm not using it I can see the difference it made in photos from a couple of years ago.
Actually, it was really older users I was interested in. The header is a bit misleading. I was wondering if any of these collagen stimulating, anti-aging products work so effectively when you get older.
I thought maybe it was like acid - you build up and need higher percentages, i.e. you get used to it and need more stimulation or if it was down to the skin generating everything more slowly. I think it's down to the latter. I was reading some interesting articles over here
www.smartskincare.com
If it was because the skin gets used to it I'd just use a very gentle retinol treatment now and build up as I got older, but it seems it's not the way it works.
Just planning my retirement. I know it's a little early  but I've not got a lot on right now.
Molly  |
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Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:21 am |
Molly,
I like the smartskincare website. I have read everything on the site and it is IMO not biased. Have you looked at the forum? I have actually been lurking on that forum longer than I have been on EDS. Unfortunatly there is not much "traffic" on the forum but I find that most of the forum members seem to have a scientific way of looking at things and are not bound to any one viewpoint. I probably should join that forum too!! Dr. T. sounds like a true scientist in the sense that he will not draw conclusions if the facts are not there.
What do you think of the smartskincare website and Dr. T?
Theresa |
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gaga-googoo
New Member
Joined: 17 May 2006
Posts: 4
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Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:15 am |
The majority of improvements can be seen in the first 4 to 6 months of use. Improvements will then be slower over the next 18 months of use.
Retin-a is a serious medicine and one of the few that has been studied and confirmed to improve aging skin.
If you are going to start Retin-a, commit to using it for two years. The first month or so, you need to be careful of irritation etc, and only use every other day at first. Using soap cleanser seems to exsasurbate the irritation.
The important thing to do is that after accomodation occurrs (no more irritaion), you can really start to "push it" with Retin-a. On days when you know you will only be indoors you can leave it on all day and apply again at night. Of course, remember, you need a physical sunscreen whenever outdoors during Retin-a use.
There are some areas of the face that improve quicker and better than others. Wrinkles/lines in the temple area can be eliminated, but some crows feet can be improved but not eliminated. Forehead lines can be improved, I found them difficult to remove. If you have deep Naso lines, then I suggest injections in this area in addition to Retin-a use. I never used Botox before, but Collagen injections worked well for me in the Naso area.
I highly recommend that you only start and use the .025 concentration of Retin-a. I would also say that if you are going to use Retin-a, then pretty much stay away from other strong active products during this time.
Molly: Retin-a works very well for older people with aging skin. |
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Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:07 am |
| I have sensitive skin and the last time I tried retin-a I had so many problems, it just wasn't worth it. Do you think that I might have more luck with some retinol, like the retinol creams PSF sells? |
_________________
27, sensitive/reactive/acne prone skin, dark brown hair, blue eyes, possibly the palest woman alive... |
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Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:21 am |
| Liz, I have been using the Proheal serum which has 1% retinol and it has not irritated my skin so maybe it will work for you. I have been using Differin for 8 years and while I experienced a lot of irritation when I first started using that eventually my skin got used to it. So right no I am combining the Differin and retinol with no irritation. I would be willing to try it if I were you! |
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Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:23 am |
Ah Theresa, my sensitive skin sister, I knew you'd come through for me!!  Thanks for the great recommendation--- I'll see if I can't get my hands on some 1% and see how it goes! Do you think it helps with your acne at all, or do you mostly just notice a difference in your skin's texture? TIA!! |
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27, sensitive/reactive/acne prone skin, dark brown hair, blue eyes, possibly the palest woman alive... |
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Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:35 am |
Liz,
The Differin has helped with my acne and that is why I have used it for so long. I was mainly concerned with acne when I started using it so I never really paid enought attention to notice any other changes in my skin. The retinol in the Proheal serum is another story. I think that the serum in general might be causing more breakouts but I can't say if that is due to the retinol, Vitamin C or something else. I will say this. I have been doing a half face test of the Proheal for 6+ weeks. Other than a lessening of my forhead elevens (still trying to figure this one out!) the Proheal has done nothing to improve the apperance of my skin. It may need more time! |
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Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:39 am |
Hi Liz
A lot of people find Retinaldehyde (Vichy's Ystheal) less irritating than any retinol products and it's cheap. |
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Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:01 pm |
| Quote: |
| What do you think of the smartskincare website and Dr. T? |
Hi Theresa, I did know about this site a couple of years ago and got hold of Dr T's info-packs, but I had no idea there was a forum attached. I'm glad you told me or maybe I'm not because I'm spending all day browsing skin-care forums as it is instead of getting on with my other projects.  It seems like a useful addition. If there's some chemical/technical question I think I'd certainly get his opinion on it. Seems to know his onions from his leeks.
Funny thing is though it takes me back to my pre-obsessive forum days and I was using almost exactly the same products I'm using now. Though I know a lot more about how they work and how to use them.
| Quote: |
| Molly: Retin-a works very well for older people with aging skin. |
I'm undecided about that Gaga-googoo. On the one hand I saw some references to a four year study over on Dr T's site which showed continuous improvement over 4 years, but on the other the skin response you're triggering just isn't as responsive in older people so there must be a declining rate of improvement. Plus a couple of more mature users on EDS did mention they don't get the same results anymore in passing on other topics, but they haven't posted here.
Quite a number of posters say it seems to stop working for them or they build up a tolerance. I see similar reports about CPs. Never sure if this is perception though. I might experiment like other users with cycling the products.
Thanks all M |
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Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:34 am |
| Molly wrote: |
| Hi Theresa, I did know about this site a couple of years ago and got hold of Dr T's info-packs, but I had no idea there was a forum attached. I'm glad you told me or maybe I'm not because I'm spending all day browsing skin-care forums as it is instead of getting on with my other projects. It seems like a useful addition. |
Molly-Until you started mentioning the skincareboard I was perfectly content to "waste" my time browsing the EDS and smartskincare forums! I put the word waste in quotations because I have learned alot from reading the forums and just general internet research on skincare. |
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brasscupcakes
New Member
Joined: 15 Oct 2007
Posts: 9
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Sat May 24, 2014 12:40 pm |
This is an ancient thread but in case anybody does a search:
I've been using retin for about 25 years. I started out using it for acne. possibly those who think it stops working are blaming Retin A for the continuing age process. I don't know. I certain use a lot, as I order from All Day Chemist and the price is right.
There was a period when I inadvertently took a long break and it caused acne when I went back on it -- it draws out whatever skin problems lay beneath. My solution to that is prior to using retin A, I use the highest level benzoyl peroxide cream, diluted in my hand with about three times as much moisturizer.
So. I still adore retin a and plan, at 56, to begin using it on my hands, neck and chest. My facial skin looks like that of someone in their thirties. My face doesn't but that's due to the sagging caused by decades of chain-smoking. I wish I could afford a lift.
Anyhow -- I will never, ever stop using Retin A .1 percent. I love it as much as ever. |
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