topic Re: How often do you use retinol? Does the flaking stop? in Beauty

How often do you use Retin-A? Does the flaking stop?

TuesdayTaylor — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 20:47:01 GMT

I'm totally interested in retin but I keep reading that it causes redness and flaking. Does the flaking that happens with retinol eventually stop as your skin gets used to it? And do you guys use retinol daily? Or is it a once or twice a week product? I'm sure it's different for everyone but I'm just trying to get a general idea. Thanks!

Re: How often do you use retinol? Does the flaking stop?

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 20:45:59 GMT

@TuesdayTaylor wrote:
I'm totally interested in retinol but I keep reading that it causes redness and flaking. Does the flaking that happens with retinol eventually stop as your skin gets used to it? And do you guys use retinol daily? Or is it a once or twice a week product? I'm sure it's different for everyone but I'm just trying to get a general idea. Thanks!

Hi @TuesdayTaylor Do you really mean Retinol or are you thinking of prescription Retin-A? Retinol is far weaker than Retin-a and is usually an ingredient mixed in other preparations. There really isn't much of a risk in using it, but because it's so weak it's not as effective as Retin-A either. Retin-A (also called by the generic name, Tretinoin) is the one that usually causes redness and flaking in the beginning. It's always advised to ease into using it and to increase slowly until you find a routine that you like. I've been using the strongest strength Retin-A for a couple of years now. Currently I use it 5 nights a week without any problem.

Re: How often do you use retinol? Does the flaking stop?

vac — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 20:47:36 GMT

I use Retin-A and for me, the flaking pretty much stopped after a couple of weeks. However, my skin will only tolerate using it every other night, and the flaking still comes back at times. Everyone's skin is different, of course, so it's trial and error as far what frequency will work best. I do think starting with an over-the-counter retinoid is a good way to ease in if you're planning to use Retin-A. It will help your skin get used to the retinol before going to a stronger product.

Re: How often do you use retinol? Does the flaking stop?

TuesdayTaylor — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 20:48:34 GMT

Thanks, JL, you've always got my back! I changed it to "Retin A" because that is indeed what I meant! Sounds like it's working great for you. Sometimes I feel like why even bother with all of this expensive skin care, just get the Retin A!

Re: How often do you use retinol? Does the flaking stop?

TuesdayTaylor — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 20:49:40 GMT

Thanks, vac!

Re: How often do you use retinol? Does the flaking stop?

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 20:53:55 GMT

@TuesdayTaylor wrote:
Thanks, JL, you've always got my back! I changed it to "Retin A" because that is indeed what I meant! Sounds like it's working great for you. Sometimes I feel like why even bother with all of this expensive skin care, just get the Retin A!

@TuesdayTaylor You're welcome. As an FYI, you should see a dermatologist to get the right strength prescribed. Depending on your age and your insurance coverage, the Retin-A/Tretinoin may not be a covered expense. It is very expensive out of pocket. BUT...go check the GoodRx site. There are free coupons there that will seriously discount the cost. The places that sell the prescription Retin-A without a prescription don't carry what I use, but it turned out that with the GoodRx coupon, my purchase at CVS ended up being cheaper than the secondary market sites.

Re: How often do you use Retin-A? Does the flaking stop?

LTT1 — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 21:03:02 GMT

@TuesdayTaylor

I have used RetinA for over 30 years. It has built collagen and kept the wrinkles at bay quite nicely.

For me ( and I think you will read this in medical literature) cream forms in .025% are the most effective for anti-aging. My skin has never tolerated even a pea-sized amount all over. I use less right on tops of cheeks and on nose.

For a "keratosis" under my eye, the higher strength gel was rxd. By dabbing just a bit on it, the skin dries up (not a good look cosmetically) but the skin will peel and be smooth again.

The lesson of this is to start with dry skin and be sparing! I have had good luck this way. When I first started using it, my skin went through "phases" about monthly. It would flake, but not very much. Always wear a very high number sunscreen.

My Derm told me that even the film left over on my fingertips would be effective. So smooth this on over the rest of the face. HTH

Re: How often do you use retinol? Does the flaking stop?

MrsSweetieBear — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 21:08:50 GMT

I use Retin-A (tretinoin) in the weakest form, 0.025 cream. I use it every night with an occasional lapse or miss. I don't use any other products containing retinol. When I started using it about 8 years ago, I started at twice a week and slowly worked up to nightly.

I never experienced any flaking or peeling with Retin-A alone. It was only when I was still using Pro Activ benzoyl peroxide for acne that I got flaky peeling. I no longer use any benzoyl peroxide products as I found something else that works much better for me, (Buzz on Acne). But I don't plan to ever give up Retin-A or go to a higher strength. A derm told me a the start that the 0.025 cream, weakest strength, works best for anti-aging use.

Re: How often do you use Retin-A? Does the flaking stop?

chrissj — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 23:56:40 GMT

I finally figured out the same as another poster: why spend money on expensive skin treatments when you can get a prescription from your doctor for the one thing that's proven to improve wrinkles, Retin A. I use a generic since it's true it is quite expensive. A tube lasts a long time. The one thing I learned is that you should never use it on wet or damp skin...has to be totally dry after cleansing. The damp skin causes major flaking. That being said, I am like others in that sometimes I just get flaking. If your skin feels dry after application, you can pat an oil serum on top (I use Aura Cacia Argan oil) or use it every other night.

Re: How often do you use Retin-A? Does the flaking stop?

tends2dogs — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 00:32:22 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch Is it ever too late to start using Retin A? I am 62 and would be willing to try if I thought it might help. I realize it isn't going to lift anything, just resurface, right?

Re: How often do you use Retin-A? Does the flaking stop?

JeanLouiseFinch — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 00:43:20 GMT

@tends2dogs wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch Is it ever too late to start using Retin A? I am 62 and would be willing to try if I thought it might help. I realize it isn't going to lift anything, just resurface, right?

@tends2dogs I don't think so. I started using it when I was 55! The thing is to find the right strength for you, ease into it, and to be consistent once you settle on your routine. It will take a few months before you see anything, but stick with it. Remember that AHA's and BHA's do not work well with Retin-A. Retin-A is unstable and an AHA or BHA will essentially deactivate it. Save the AHA's or BHA's for daytime or on the in-between nights if you're on an every other night schedule with your Retin-A.

Re: How often do you use retinol? Does the flaking stop?

TuesdayTaylor — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 01:25:50 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
@TuesdayTaylor wrote:
Thanks, JL, you've always got my back! I changed it to "Retin A" because that is indeed what I meant! Sounds like it's working great for you. Sometimes I feel like why even bother with all of this expensive skin care, just get the Retin A!
@TuesdayTaylor You're welcome. As an FYI, you should see a dermatologist to get the right strength prescribed. Depending on your age and your insurance coverage, the Retin-A/Tretinoin may not be a covered expense. It is very expensive out of pocket. BUT...go check the GoodRx site. There are free coupons there that will seriously discount the cost. The places that sell the prescription Retin-A without a prescription don't carry what I use, but it turned out that with the GoodRx coupon, my purchase at CVS ended up being cheaper than the secondary market sites.

Thanks so much! SO helpful!

Re: How often do you use Retin-A? Does the flaking stop?

TuesdayTaylor — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 01:27:45 GMT

Thanks, Teach, totally helpful!

@LTT1 wrote:
@TuesdayTaylor

I have used RetinA for over 30 years. It has built collagen and kept the wrinkles at bay quite nicely.
For me ( and I think you will read this in medical literature) cream forms in .025% are the most effective for anti-aging. My skin has never tolerated even a pea-sized amount all over. I use less right on tops of cheeks and on nose.

For a "keratosis" under my eye, the higher strength gel was rxd. By dabbing just a bit on it, the skin dries up (not a good look cosmetically) but the skin will peel and be smooth again.

The lesson of this is to start with dry skin and be sparing! I have had good luck this way. When I first started using it, my skin went through "phases" about monthly. It would flake, but not very much. Always wear a very high number sunscreen.

My Derm told me that even the film left over on my fingertips would be effective. So smooth this on over the rest of the face. HTH

Re: How often do you use retinol? Does the flaking stop?

TuesdayTaylor — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 01:29:31 GMT

@MrsSweetieBear wrote:
I use Retin-A (tretinoin) in the weakest form, 0.025 cream. I use it every night with an occasional lapse or miss. I don't use any other products containing retinol. When I started using it about 8 years ago, I started at twice a week and slowly worked up to nightly.

I never experienced any flaking or peeling with Retin-A alone. It was only when I was still using Pro Activ benzoyl peroxide for acne that I got flaky peeling. I no longer use any benzoyl peroxide products as I found something else that works much better for me, (Buzz on Acne). But I don't plan to ever give up Retin-A or go to a higher strength. A derm told me a the start that the 0.025 cream, weakest strength, works best for anti-aging use.

Thanks, MrsSweetie! I can see from these responses that low-dose is the way to start. Thanks for your help!

Re: How often do you use Retin-A? Does the flaking stop?

TuesdayTaylor — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 01:30:58 GMT

@chris1949 wrote:
I finally figured out the same as another poster: why spend money on expensive skin treatments when you can get a prescription from your doctor for the one thing that's proven to improve wrinkles, Retin A. I use a generic since it's true it is quite expensive. A tube lasts a long time. The one thing I learned is that you should never use it on wet or damp skin...has to be totally dry after cleansing. The damp skin causes major flaking. That being said, I am like others in that sometimes I just get flaking. If your skin feels dry after application, you can pat an oil serum on top (I use Aura Cacia Argan oil) or use it every other night.

Thanks, Chris! I'm so happy to know about applying to totally dry skin - I wouldn't have know that. Thanks!

Re: How often do you use Retin-A? Does the flaking stop?

Day1128 — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 06:49:26 GMT

I've used tretinoin (the generic Retin A name) for over 20 years. My dermatologist calls it the 'gold standard' in skin care. I use it every night, except when those few nights I am so tired I am doing well to brush my teeth. I use the .01, the strongest. My skin only flakes if the weather is really cold (like -30...I live in Alaska). I use differnet moisturizers during the day. You will figure out what your skin will need. I also use it on my hands at night.

Something to note...if you use it on your hands and get gel manicures, either don't use the tretinoin for about a week before the mani, or take sunscreen for your hands. I found out the hard way to do this....my hands had a red rash for a couple of days. I know to wear sunscreen during the day, especially using Retin A, but didn't think about it for my hands with the UV light used during the mani.

Re: How often do you use Retin-A? Does the flaking stop?

Day1128 — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 08:40:18 GMT

I posted on this topic earlier, but I see I have an error. I don't know how (or if) you can update your own post after it is posted. Couldn't find any answers in the Help section. Anyway, I said I used the strongest Retin A of .01, but it is actually .1 which is the strongest. Your doctor can prescribe the best to get started with, and then you may change to a different strength later.

Re: How often do you use Retin-A? Does the flaking stop?

tends2dogs — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 14:42:21 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch Thanks so much for the info JLF. I think it is worth trying and I do realize it isn't going to be an overnight miracle. LOL By building collagen, this will in turn help to lessen deep wrinkles, am I right about this? I think to start, I would just put Argon Oil over it ...... would that be good? I only use a few of Skinn's products...Stem Regen, Collagenisis, Vit C, Huile Oil, and the blue liquid (can't remember the name) that comes with that set. I would use those separately from the Retin A. I am anxious to give it a try.

Thanks again!

Re: How often do you use Retin-A? Does the flaking stop?

JeanLouiseFinch — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 15:00:57 GMT

@tends2dogs wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch Thanks so much for the info JLF. I think it is worth trying and I do realize it isn't going to be an overnight miracle. LOL By building collagen, this will in turn help to lessen deep wrinkles, am I right about this? I think to start, I would just put Argon Oil over it ...... would that be good? I only use a few of Skinn's products...Stem Regen, Collagenisis, Vit C, Huile Oil, and the blue liquid (can't remember the name) that comes with that set. I would use those separately from the Retin A. I am anxious to give it a try.

Thanks again!

@tends2dogs You're quite welcome!

Yes, you're correct on the theory of how Retin-A builds the collagen to help lessen the wrinkles. As the collagen builds, the deeper levels under the surface of skin plum up, and the wrinkles flatten out. The best way to apply your Retin-A, is buy itself, on completely dry skin, without any other products immediately before or immediately after. In addition to Retin-A, I have a compete nighttime routine with my Skinn products. What works best for me, is to do the nighttime routine after dinner - everything EXCEPT the Retin-A. Then I go about my evening. Right before climbing into bed, I apply my Retin-A. I don't think there's anything really wrong per se with your plan. What I would do, though, is to cleanse sometime after dinner, wait about 20 mins. for your skin to get completely dry, then apply your Retin-A. After that, go about your evening, and then press on a little of your Argan Oil right before bed.

Re: How often do you use Retin-A? Does the flaking stop?

tends2dogs — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 16:25:20 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch That is interesting that you apply over your other products. I will remember that.

I know this is completely off topic, but do you remember several months back the thread about what Bible do you use? Were you the one that wrote Bullinger's Companion Bible? For some reason I thought it was you. We study rightly divided and I want to begin using this study Bible. If it wasn't you, sorry, and never mind.