topic Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A? in Beauty

Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

Nadine — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 02:42:51 GMT

I saw my Dr today and asked about it. I'm just tired of buying one thing after another and not really getting results. I'm ready to try this but wondered what to expect and does it really have anti-aging properties. I have really dry sensitive skin .

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

kjae — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 03:02:46 GMT

I will be making my yearly checkup visit to my dermatologist and think this time I will actually follow up on filling the prescription for Retin A. For years now she has stated that it is the only thing that will offer help. She swears against any of the cosmeceutical offerings that promise anti-aging that so many of us purchase at very high prices. Try it. The low doses are good. Sometimes you need to go slowly and adjust how often and what strength you use. Good luck.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

GrailSeeker — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 03:19:51 GMT

Yes, ladies, I, for one, use the mildest strength. If you use the search bar above, there are numerous retin-a threads on this board, and you can learn a great deal. You can also find many good tutorials on Youtube.

I used retin-a continually for about a year and a half, then took a 6 month break last summer/fall. I happened to find that I had a Walgreen's dupe of Roc a couple of months ago that I had forgot I had, and gave it a try. I could see a difference overnight. I believe I have become sensitized to retinols from previous use and may actually need LESS now.

I added back the 0.025 Tretinoin, and mixed it in with the Studio 35 retinol and acclimated back to retin-a.

Someone on here stated that the lowest dose is actually as effective as the highest, and I went from the strongest down to the lowest this fall without irritation.

You will see results if you give this a chance. Go slow, moisturize, and don't forget your sunscreen.

And thank you to all the lovely ladies who have posted their experiences on how to use retin-a here on the boards.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

LTT1 — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 03:38:23 GMT

@Nadine @GrailSeeker @kjae

I like to use the lowest strength Renova... .025% tretinoin.

i can use it more extensively on more areas of my face. I never, ever have used a pea-sized amount. I find it is too much.

Enjoy using the film left on fingertips on areas like neck or hands.

I also use nothing else with it and use it at night.

By using this product every night for 30 years, I feel this small amount keeps stimulating collagen production. Crinkles are kept away.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

felinemom — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 03:52:12 GMT

I've been using Tretinoin .025 for about 10 years. I am 76 and I think my skin looks pretty good. I use it at night, in the morning I use IT CC cream, its wonderful and has a spf of 50 ! I used to get my tretinoin at Costco but their price doubled to $80.00 a tube ! I use a pharmacy in Canada that's $40,00. Of course your doctor has to fax script to Canada. Tube lasts about 3 months. Good luck ! Felinemom

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

Nadine — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 04:04:26 GMT

Thanks so much for the replies. I'm anxious to get started with it. I'll look up the comments. I want to make sure I use it the correctly.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

Fluke67 — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 04:37:55 GMT

I’ve been using rx retin a since 1986 and yes it works. I’m 51 and look like I’m in my late 30s (even the young guys at work we’re shocked that I was in my 50s). I have no wrinkles at rest and no age spots on my face.

You are smart to start at the lowest strength, apply once every three nights for the first few weeks to ease your skin into it, gradually add more nights in until you’re using it every night. Be sure to wait about 30 min after cleansing before applying it as wet or damp skin increases the absorption. If you get irritation use something calming (I like replenix power of three serum) before applying the retin a, and as your skin acclimates switch to applying it after the retin a. Red LED will also help soothe irritation. When you can handle the .025% nightly with no irritation then you can step up to .05%. But even if you never step up you will see a big improvement eventually. If you search dr Cynthia bailey’s blog, she has a few old entries about how to use retin a and it is great info.

A good sunscreen is a must every day, and lay off anything irritating (other acids, scrubs, etc) until your skin adapts.

I find the ones with the very emollient bases (renova, refissa) were too heavy for me, the original works best for me. All day chemist is a good source for cheap retin a, I bought lots of tubes of the .05% (retino a made by Johnson & Johnson) for use on my forearms, hands, calves and upper arms. I’ve never had a problem with all day chemist . I use .1% on my face

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

Fluke67 — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 04:48:10 GMT

i forgot to add that my skin was oily up until last year (menopause) and it’s combo now. I also live in FL, lots of heat and high humidity. If I lived in an arid climate I doubt I’d be able to be as aggressive as I am (I use glopro before retin a and don’t wait 30 min after cleansing my face to dermaroll and apply retin a). I did have to incorporate Dr. Denese hydroshield this winter though.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

beauty0125 — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 05:04:48 GMT

I agree most with fluke67 she is correct on everything. I wish I started years ago. I will be 58 tomorrow and started Retinol a year ago and then started Retin a about 6 months ago with renova at .025% and now moved up to Refissa .05% that I love. It is a process and you need to go slow. I wash my face then put on Paula’s choice toner and then Josie milk then wait 30 mins and then put refissa on. It is true Retin a , spf and moisturizer to protect skin barrier is the only thing that works. I went to utube and educated myself and it helped a lot. Dr dray is excellent. Refissa is emollient so I would work up to that. Sometimes I put it on day after day and I have to back off a day or two.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

beauty0125 — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 05:07:59 GMT

Also I forgot to mention your face will look worse before it gets better but be patient and over the years your skin will be flawless. Also if you have dry sensitive skin make sure you use a moisturizer first and wait for it to dry 30 mins will help buffer the irritation.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

hyacinth003 — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 09:55:03 GMT

I was able to start at higher levels, but now have to use the lowest strength every other night. My skin got drier and I couldn't tolerate the higher levels. I have even had to go a couple weeks not using it.

I used to use it on my neck, decollette, and under my eyes. I have had to go to non prescription strength in those areas.

I have also read the opinion that the lower strength is just as helpful for anti-aging.

Hyacinth

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

Tricolor — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 13:49:03 GMT

I have been using Retin A for about 25 years and I am 68 years old. Mine is not the lowest strength but I am actually going to talk to my derm and see if I should lower it. I have not had any adverse reactions. It bothers my neck so I don't use it there but do use it on my face and backs of my hands. Make sure that you don't get near the corners of your mouth or nose. At night I don't use anything else other than Josie's Divine Drip and a dab of her Reserve. I do this in the winter months when my skin is exceptionally dry. I agree that so many of these serums that we have fallen prey to, don't do much of anything. Another important component is wearing sunscreen daily. Retin A will cause hypersensitivity so SPF is a must. Sunscreen in makeup is definitely not enough coverage so make sure that you use a separate SPF. Good luck.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

SilleeMee — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 15:01:12 GMT

@Nadine wrote:
I saw my Dr today and asked about it. I'm just tired of buying one thing after another and not really getting results. I'm ready to try this but wondered what to expect and does it really have anti-aging properties. I have really dry sensitive skin .

Tretinoin (Retin-A) makes you look younger because it basically does three things:

1- promotes cell growth at the molecular level

2- inhibits a skin enzyme found to break down collagen, resulting in thickening of the skin

3- inhibits the production of melanin produced by melanocytes, resulting in fading dark spots.

No other substance can do all of these things in one step. I use a 0.050% cream. I started with a retinol cream first then after about a year when my skin got adjusted to using a retinoid, that was when I started using tretinoin. I found some internet articles that mentioned a 1% retinol has similar affects to about a 0.025% tretinoin. But this info is not scientifically backed so it probably will vary greatly from person to person.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

Nadine — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 16:20:44 GMT

Thank you all so much! I took notes and this has been so helpful. I wondered about the moisturizer first, that won't creat a barrier so the retin A won't absorb? I need to go back and read this thread again, I know there was mention of different serums etc to use. I'm thinking I shouldn't use anything with actives or awhile, not even in the daytime, is that correct?

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

Fluke67 — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 01:25:26 GMT

@Nadine The retin a will still absorb with a normal moisturizer and will temper the retin a a bit. It’s a good technique to try as you’re easing into tretinoin and you’re worried about sensitivity and irritation. I would lay off other actives (acids, scrubs) until your skin adapts, and instead incorporate things that will help with sensitivity and increase hydration.You’ll find that retin a reduces oil production which also can exacerbate sensitivity. Do not forget about sunscreen, don’t just rely on what’s in makeup.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

Nadine — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 16:18:50 GMT

After a mix up at the pharmacy They finally filled my script so I'll start tonight. I'll apply moisturizer and then wait wait 30 minutes to apply the retin-A . I use perricone nueropeptide serum and night cream and wondered if I should continue with that on my off nights. I also use Ordinary Buffet and B serum in the mornig . Should I continue with those products? Also wondered which moisturizer would be best to use? I read through some threads and using a moisturizer first seems to be the best way to go. I wondered if a lighter moisturizer would be best or does it matter? Also what is a good sunscreen? I realy wonder if I'll need to continue with the perricone products at all.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

Texasmouse — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 17:19:50 GMT

@Nadine

I think you'll be fine continuing the moisturizers and serum that you're using but remember to start the Retin A slowly, don't use it every night. I'm sure your dermatologist gave you instructions on how to use it.

As far as a sunscreen goes, a good sunscreen is one that you'll use so you have to like the consistency and ease of application (and reapplication) because sunscreen is not negotiable, it's a must while you're on Retin A. If a chemical sunscreen doesn't sting your eyes, you could use that kind. The mineral sunscreens are great but can be thick and greasy and most will leave a white cast. I get around this by using one that's tinted. In any case, you need to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 DAILY, rain or shine. HTH

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

Texasmouse — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 17:26:09 GMT

wrote:
I was able to start at higher levels, but now have to use the lowest strength every other night. My skin got drier and I couldn't tolerate the higher levels. I have even had to go a couple weeks not using it.

I used to use it on my neck, decollette, and under my eyes. I have had to go to non prescription strength in those areas.

I have also read the opinion that the lower strength is just as helpful for anti-aging.

Hyacinth

@hyacinth003

I started on the lowest dose last August but lately, I have found that my skin has gotten very dry as well. I've kept on using the Retin A nightly and just bumped up to a thicker moisturizer but my face still feels like it's shrink-wrapped under my tinted sunscreen by the end of the day. I've been contemplating incorporating a facial oil to combat the dryness but if I use one and still have dry skin, I may have to cut my use of the Retin A to every other night, as you have.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

Nadine — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 22:19:50 GMT

I read a couple of blogs today, one said she used it once a week for a month, then 2 times a week for a month and so on, each month she would add an extra day. Another blog said she has been ustin retin-A for over twenty years and has never used a moisturizer first because she wanted the full effect of the product. It does get confusing.

Re: Anyone use the mildest strength of retin A?

hyacinth003 — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 09:53:16 GMT

wrote:
wrote:
I was able to start at higher levels, but now have to use the lowest strength every other night. My skin got drier and I couldn't tolerate the higher levels. I have even had to go a couple weeks not using it.

I used to use it on my neck, decollette, and under my eyes. I have had to go to non prescription strength in those areas.

I have also read the opinion that the lower strength is just as helpful for anti-aging.

Hyacinth
@hyacinth003
I started on the lowest dose last August but lately, I have found that my skin has gotten very dry as well. I've kept on using the Retin A nightly and just bumped up to a thicker moisturizer but my face still feels like it's shrink-wrapped under my tinted sunscreen by the end of the day. I've been contemplating incorporating a facial oil to combat the dryness but if I use one and still have dry skin, I may have to cut my use of the Retin A to every other night, as you have.

@Texasmouse

I would back off using it every night. Maybe go to twice a week, then every other day if you tolerate it twice a week. I only use it every other night now. Your skin doesn't look very good if you get redness or flaking, like I did. I have had itching if I use it too frequently. Every other night is as much as I can tolerate. I have even skipped it for 1-2 weeks in the winter.

Hyacinth