topic Re: Retin A question??? in Beauty

Retin A question???

Katluvr58 — Thu, 08 May 2014 16:56:08 GMT

Hi ladies, I just got a tube of .05% Retin A and I am not sure how to use it. I have vitiligo with pigment spots that I am currently bleaching but I thought the Retin A will help with the cell turnover. I also have a few forehead lines, marionette lines on my left side only. I know the retin can be irritating so I am trying to find out if I use it daily, twice a day, only on spots or all over. So far I have used it on a zit on my cheek and it dried that up. TIA.

Re: Retin A question???

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:02:35 GMT

Use it at ONLY at night. It makes your skin very sensitive to sunlight so don't use it in the daytime, and ALWAYS use a sunscreen. Ease into it, as it can be very drying. Start out by using every three nights. After a 2-3 weeks go to every two nights. After another couple of weeks you can go to nightly, if that's what you want to do. Many users find a few nights a week to be sufficient while others like using it every night. You just have to figure out your own system. Only take a pea size amount and that should be enough for your entire face. First concentrate on the key spots and then whatever is left can go on the rest. I prefer applying my moisturizer after the RetinA, but some people will do the moisturizer first if they RetinA is to harsh for them, especially at the beginning.

Re: Retin A question???

donniesmom — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:10:25 GMT

Hi--I agree with poster jeanlouise--my dermatologist said pea size amount at night along with my moisturizer is sufficient. I started slowly using every other night or so. Now I use nightly. Make sure you use a sunscreen during the day. At first I was not too happy with it because I was overdoing it. Use a little & don't use it every day. Gradually build up to it. I am very happy with my results. Good luck!

Re: Retin A question???

Katluvr58 — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:13:31 GMT

Thank you. My skin is super sensitive to sunlight so I use sunscreen even if I don't go out.

Re: Retin A question???

Happy Elizabeth — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:34:25 GMT

On the nights that you use Retin-A, do you also use serums or anything other than a moisturizer? Or, do you just put the Retin-a on bare skin and follow with moisturizer?

Re: Retin A question???

gardensla — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:39:01 GMT

On 5/8/2014 Happy Elizabeth said:
On the nights that you use Retin-A, do you also use serums or anything other than a moisturizer? Or, do you just put the Retin-a on bare skin and follow with moisturizer?

In my experience it's about experimenting to find what your skin can tolerate. For me, I cannot use a serum on top of Retin A without my skin revolting by turning red and rough. It's just too many active ingredients, so I stick to Retin A and moisturizer four nights a week and the other nights serums and moisturizer. I use a serum every morning so getting plenty of active ingredients!

Re: Retin A question???

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:40:20 GMT

On the nights I use my Retin A, I first cleanse my face with my oil cleanser, mist on my toner, apply the Retin A after the toner dries, follow up with my moisturizer, and then do my eye stuff. No serums for me at night. The only one I use is Vitamin C that gets applied in the daytime. On the nights I don't use my Retin A, I follow the same routine, but replace the RetinA with an AHA treatment.

Re: Retin A question???

Happy Elizabeth — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:41:42 GMT

On 5/8/2014 gardensla said:
On 5/8/2014 Happy Elizabeth said:
On the nights that you use Retin-A, do you also use serums or anything other than a moisturizer? Or, do you just put the Retin-a on bare skin and follow with moisturizer?

In my experience it's about experimenting to find what your skin can tolerate. For me, I cannot use a serum on top of Retin A without my skin revolting by turning red and rough. It's just too many active ingredients, so I stick to Retin A and moisturizer four nights a week and the other nights serums and moisturizer. I use a serum every morning so getting plenty of active ingredients!

Thanks, I was concerned about too many actives on my face at once. I'm just such a serum addict!

Re: Retin A question???

Naturesbeauty — Thu, 08 May 2014 18:50:23 GMT

Retin-A does not play well with other skin care products. It is better to use it alone you will get better results. A little moisturizer on top is ok if you find your skin is dry. I use the cream Retin-A and I don't need a moisturizer with it. (Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Gycolic Acids should not be used with Retin-A.) these take away from the effectiveness of Retin-A. I get mine from Mexico, $5.00 a tube. Exactly the same product that cost me $100.00 with a prescription.

Re: Retin A question???

Coco Butter Bean — Thu, 08 May 2014 18:51:19 GMT

Just curious, how did you get a prescription -- yet no guidance as to how to use it?

Re: Retin A question???

winamac1 — Thu, 08 May 2014 18:57:29 GMT

On 5/8/2014 Save the Whales said: Retin-A does not play well with other skin care products. It is better to use it alone you will get better results. A little moisturizer on top is ok if you find your skin is dry. I use the cream Retin-A and I don't need a moisturizer with it. (Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Gycolic Acids should not be used with Retin-A.) these take away from the effectiveness of Retin-A.

ITA

If I'm dry, I put Argan or Tarte Maracuja oil over. I try to use alone though.

I don't use scrubs before I put it on either. Wait 20 to 30 minutes after washing face to put on.

Re: Retin A question???

vac — Thu, 08 May 2014 19:15:46 GMT

Did anyone have more breakouts when they first started using Retin-A?

Re: Retin A question???

dakotacheryl — Thu, 08 May 2014 22:57:28 GMT

You should wait 30 min after washing your face before applying a small pea sized amt of retin a cream. I am using the version that's half the strength of yours, and I'm still easing into it after 3 weeks. Was using PTR retinol pm every night, right after washing with no problem, couldn't even use my retin a e/o night without flaking. Doing 1x a week now for a month, then I'll do 2x weekly for a month, then every 3 days for a month, then ever 2 days for a month, unless I start flaking again. Good luck!

Re: Retin A question???

winamac1 — Thu, 08 May 2014 23:17:15 GMT

On 5/8/2014 vaccinia said:
Did anyone have more breakouts when they first started using Retin-A?

Some do. I've read that.

Re: Retin A question???

SusyQ22a — Thu, 08 May 2014 23:24:29 GMT

I go to one of the best dermatologists in my city and he has me using the Retin A during the day because I use Benzoyl Peroxide at night. He says that there is no evidence behind using it during the day or night. I'm using 1.0% and he's bumping me up to the next level at my next visit. I do agree about the amount used daily and waiting 30 min after applying before putting makeup on. I don't wear foundation or powder but do wear blush and wait the 30 min. Right now I'm recovering from a major chemical peel and I'm peeling like crazy so I'm laying off the Retin- A until the peeling stops.

Re: Retin A question???

Katluvr58 — Thu, 08 May 2014 23:26:58 GMT

On 5/8/2014 Lanikins said:
Just curious, how did you get a prescription -- yet no guidance as to how to use it?

I bought it online from a woman I trust. She is the one who sells me my benoquin. I let her deal with the other countries for the products. She said pea size but I thought I had better check with you ladies because I trust your knowledge.

Re: Retin A question???

Kind1too — Fri, 09 May 2014 00:29:11 GMT

On 5/8/2014 Katluvr58 said:
On 5/8/2014 Lanikins said:
Just curious, how did you get a prescription -- yet no guidance as to how to use it?

I bought it online from a woman I trust. She is the one who sells me my benoquin. I let her deal with the other countries for the products. She said pea size but I thought I had better check with you ladies because I trust your knowledge.

As long as you stay out of the sun, I don't think it would make any difference.

Re: Retin A question???

Katluvr58 — Fri, 09 May 2014 03:15:27 GMT

Weirdest thing, I have a dry red patch near my mouth and I never put any retin there. All I can guess is that I touched my face and then touched that spot.

Re: Retin A question???

vac — Fri, 09 May 2014 12:49:19 GMT

On 5/8/2014 winamac1 said:
On 5/8/2014 vaccinia said:
Did anyone have more breakouts when they first started using Retin-A?

Some do. I've read that.

Thanks! I've had two major ones come out since restarting Retin-A about 5 weeks ago, and it looks like a third is in the works. Trying to be patient and give myself time to see benefits!

Re: Retin A question???

Katluvr58 — Fri, 09 May 2014 15:40:12 GMT

I take it that flaking is normal. I woke up this morning with flaky skin. I put some JM Balm on it since that does not make it burn. What do others do for the flaking?