topic Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with? in Beauty

Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

Nadine — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 00:19:01 GMT

I hsve 0.025 that I used for a while and then stopped. I was using it three times a week with no irritation at all. Wonder if I should use it more often. After the thread regarding skincare that doesn't do anything, I decided to give this another try. Wish I would have stuck with it.

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

Shanus — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 00:35:43 GMT

@Nadine wrote:
I hsve 0.025 that I used for a while and then stopped. I was using it three times a week with no irritation at all. Wonder if I should use it more often. After the thread regarding skincare that doesn't do anything, I decided to give this another try. Wish I would have stuck with it.

@Nadine Yes, you definitely have to stay with it, expect the tough times, to see any benefit. I started with .25 when I was 35 and worked my way up to the 1.0 I use now. I've been at that level for over 25 yrs.

Listen to your skin. If it's very red, peeling & irritated, you can back off for a few nights, but then go back to it. Since you are using an prescription cream, your doc should have given you explicit instructions and a soothing cream to help the irritation.

Check again with your doctor and be sure you're being monitored as you use Retin A and increase strengths. Don't forget your SPF even on a rainy day!!! The Retin A makes your skin extra sensitive to sun.

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

VaBelle35 — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 00:37:53 GMT

I've been at .25 forever. I just saw my derm in January and she said I'm still good. No reason to up it.

I use it every day for 2.5 weeks and then I take 1.5 weeks off before I get my brow and lip wax (so that my skin doesn't come off with the hair). Then I start again. It works for me.

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

laurelei — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 01:10:29 GMT

I get my tretinoin from Curology and they can start at levels lower than the typical .025. Most start at .009 but since I had been using Differin for quite a while, they started me at .012. Over almost two years, I gradually increased to their maximum strength which is .14%. I use it every night but do not use it on my neck or around my mouth or eyes since these areas are very sensitive. In these areas, I use retinaldehyde which is much gentler on the skin. At age 64, I am seeing good results and wish I had started it when I was younger. Better late than never!

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

SilleeMee — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 01:41:31 GMT

I started with .025 and used that for about 6 mo. Now I use .05.

Tretinoin is formulated to be applied every night. If you can't do that b/c of irritation then apply it less frequently and/or with a moisturizer for starters until your skin adjusts. The goal is to use it on clean dry skin every night w/o interruption forever. Tret is not designed to use occasionally nor is it designed to use intermittently. It's everyday and forever.

Here's a very informative video to help you begin using tret (Hotand Flashy):

"How To Start Using Retin A"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQqOa6QcjMQ

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 11:48:00 GMT

My first go round was to prevent scarring after facial mole removal. The dermatologist prescribed .1%. I continued using it for a few years but eventually quit. I’m back using again. I went for the .1% but mistakenly chose the gel form. I used it but felt it was even more drying than the cream. When I needed to reorder I went to the .05% cream and remain there.

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

Nadine — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 20:20:35 GMT

Thanks for the replies. I did watch Dr Drae and she said the lower dose is really just as good if your doing ok on it then moving to a higher dose. Your results may be a little slower but not that much to change to a higher dose. Looks like most of you have increased the %. I'll use this tube and then ask the Dr about it.

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

Shanus — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 15:26:10 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I started with .025 and used that for about 6 mo. Now I use .05.

Tretinoin is formulated to be applied every night. If you can't do that b/c of irritation then apply it less frequently and/or with a moisturizer for starters until your skin adjusts. The goal is to use it on clean dry skin every night w/o interruption forever. Tret is not designed to use occasionally nor is it designed to use intermittently. It's everyday and forever.

Here's a very informative video to help you begin using tret (Hotand Flashy):

"How To Start Using Retin A"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQqOa6QcjMQ

Thanks for providing the additional info @SilleeMee

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

springers — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 23:39:27 GMT

I started .025 15yrs ago (info from this board), I’m 59 and moved up to .050 2-3 years ago. I’m thinking of moving to .1 when I’m 60. I’ve used every night. I did stop before waxing but I haven’t waxed for 5 yrs. I now get my eyebrows threaded. Cheaper quicker and no stopping retinol. They can thread your face (had that done but don’t need it )

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

LTT1 — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 13:58:48 GMT

@Nadine

i don't remember but it was a very weak strength to begin with.

'Best thing I ever did for my skin.

'I prefer (usually) RENOVA.

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

Mellyg — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 22:48:41 GMT

I've been using Refissa (.05) for about 10 years. I started at .05 and hav remained at that dosage.

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

HaileyB — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 00:35:49 GMT

I use .025 and have for years. I use it for 2 weeks and do a tca peel on weeks 3-4. My skin has never looked better.

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

SilleeMee — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 15:36:01 GMT

I use the .05 tret for 3 straight weeks, stop for 3 days then microneedle one day, wait 3 days then go back to the .05 tret. That routine works for me. Skin looks good.

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

tsavorite — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 01:50:46 GMT

I recently began "again" to try and use Tretinoin...I had tried with a higher strength 0.05% and that wasn't working so I gave up. This time I started with low 0.025% and only 2 days per week to start. Then on to 3 days a week and now I am at 5 days per week. No peeling or dryness. So far so good. I plan on using it at this level and going on to 7 days per week in the next few months slowly and then hold there for several months. Perhaps in 6 mo's I will try the next strength up. BUT I would only use the higher strength 1 day per week and my lower 0.025% on the other days and slowly work my way up over many months.

I have rosacea and going very slowly is working for me....I can't do the inflamed red peeling skin. I already have enough redness and inflammation I am doing my best to keep under tight control.

One other thing I do is I wait after cleansing my face 15-20mins before I apply the Tretinoin.

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

Nadine — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 04:36:15 GMT

I need to slow down. I tried every other night and big mistake. Going back to either two or three times a week for awhile.

Re: Tretinoin users, which strength did you start with?

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 12:44:47 GMT

@Nadine wrote:
I need to slow down. I tried every other night and big mistake. Going back to either two or three times a week for awhile.

@Nadine If you can arrange it, try doing your cleansing, serums, and moisturizer earlier in the evening, like right after dinner, then apply your Tretinoin just before you go to bed.