Beauty

[susan kay]

Wow. Great information about the coupons...and CVS and Walgreens.

[Day1128]

If you have an Rx, check with your insurance company. When I was on my husband's insurance (Blue Cross) it was covered. My insurance (Aetna) does not cover if you are over 35 yrs. old. The GoodRx coupons sound great. 

[mbee1967]

I use the good rx coupon at Walgreens and buy my generic tretinion cream .025 for $32 for the 20gram tube that lasts 3-5 months.  I find that tretinion cream is less expensive and more effective than retinol products. It is pure retinoic acid. There is no conversion like there is with retinol. Therefore, you know what you are getting.  You only use a pea size amount because it is potent stuff.  I mix the tretinion cream with my moisturizer to buffer it so that it is less irritating yet still effective.  I got my prescription from my dermatologist.  I have been using it since September and just opened my second tube last month. I use it almost every night.  In my opinion, tretinion cream is more effective and less expensive than good retinol products.  

[Judalee0810]

This product group has gotten SO confusing for me that I gave up and went back to WHAT I used and my FAVES:  Renova .025 for under and around my eyes; Retin A gel pump for the rest of my face.  I studied this subject for MONTHS !! Now that the derms sell it, they are "into" retinol---THEIR RETINOL, OF COURSE ! LOL ! (Basic small Retin A brand: Est 25-30.00 dollars !!)

Read online by derms NOT trying to sell their own products:

Use the highest percentage you can stand. Start low and go up. Maybe .5 on the Retin A, which is STILL the gold standard brand. (Acne --- not so much)  I moisturize early in the evening and then apply above before bedtime. OH, I use Canadian sites checked out by going to the credentials required by the government. So far, allll name brand. (Ive been purchasing there for my meds for years) Try Northwest, theyve aleays come through with flying colors. You can check any site out by going to the Canadian governments website for the authorized pharmacies. Fax or scan and send your prescription.  By law, the government will not allow mark ups like we have to live with !!  R E A D  !  Do homework! Gel reaches deep but might be more drying for some. Do a day, skip 2, build up. Lots of info online. Good luck.  Small tube to try out might be 25.00 on Retin A. Renova is pricey, no generic BUT I love it. Also known as Retrieve or Retrieva in UK and AU, as I recall. BUT the same thing. Australia requires an Australian prescription, if you go to their sites. (Which I found many to be quite odd.) BUT odd things happpen I suspect when going to Candadian sites Ive used for years. Suspect lobbyists for the Pharm companies in the US behind those scary messages. I found my choices via a Senior Citizens online blog/newsletter. They go by buss and load up regularly on what they need and cant afford in the US.  I'm very comfortable with our friends to the North. Delivery on my "have to stay alive" meds usually about 3 weeks, exc 1, which had a return address in West Virginia ! Ha !!  Skin "stuff" much faster esp if made in Canada. Perhaps request those brands. Keep us posted ! Nearly all work 24/7 !!

Judalee

[Judalee0810]

India is great on medical care and product costs.Ive received MANY medications from India (originating in the UK) via reputable Canadian websites.  Heck, many/most (?) of the doctors came here for education.  school.Thailand is the vacation/surgery mecca. ( I saw a great documentary on this by a CNN "traveling" reporter last year.   Facilities are BEAUTIFUL ! Cost is so low you'll want to slug the President of the AMA ! Ha ha ha, My own doctor is ticked at what our costs are here.

Judalee

[QVCPhobe]

I use SkinMedica from CSC website and it is about 45.00.  My dermatologist suggested this brand.

[winamac1]

---

@sassenach1 wrote:

Prescription Tretinoin, Retin A, must be prescribed by MD's.  If you are over a certain age, insurance does not cover it.  

However, a drug company has an agreement with Walgreens for a coupon based lower rate.  Your derm will be aware if it.  Derm sends in Rx.  You go on line and get coupon.  It is about $70 and should last 3 to 4 months.  Coupon is good each time you refill.

It is made in the US.

---

Hi Sass.  Insurance often will pay for it even if over a certain age.  BUT..the Dr's. office must do a prior auth and have a good reason.  My 51 year old friend just got branded Retin A approved due to some condition (not even an acne condition).  It can be done, but there has to be a good reason such as adult onset acne or other skin conditions and pa's have to be done.  Dr.'s hate doing PA's as the staff has to take time out to file with insurance Companies, etc.

[Gorgf]

I always amazes me how people can go into a Derm for JUST  aging/wrinkled skin!!!

In my area a Derm is used for  skin issues like acne, possible cancerous age spots, exema etc. Even to get in would take months and a long drive.  Much less the money to cover the appointment which is not medically needed.  To see a doctor for sagging and wrinkled skin that  would not be a medically needed for  reason other than our vanity..!???

  With that said... I did get some Retin A from a cousin who  went to Mexico. Basically  write your own RX.   These  tips here are good..

What is a CSC Website???