Beauty

[San Antonio Gal]

---

@Texasmouse wrote:

@monicakm I don't know what size your tubes of tretinoin are but it seems to me that you're going through it awfully quickly. I get the 45g tubes and one will last me 9 months if I use it daily. I've cut back to 3 times a week because daily became too irritating for me. I had "graduated" to the .1% strength and also had to go back to the .05%. This routine seems to be working ok for me and I only get occasional peeling. I also don't really see results, per se, but I figure my skin is doing better using tretinoin than it would be if I wasn't. 

---

@monicakm  - I thought the same thing as @Texasmouse .  You seem to be going through your tubes quickly.  I have small tube (20g) and it takes me months go to thru. 

[Love2Laugh]

Hi monicakm,

There are some really good instruction videos on youtube about how to apply tretinoin. 

This is what I do to avoid irritation. I saw my derm and she wanted me to use it on clean, dry skin, but that just did not work for me. Too much irritation (peeling, senitive skin)

So, here is what I do:

Cleanse

Moisturize (Neutrogena Gel Moisturizer)

Let moisturizer dry

Apply a pea size amount of Tretinoin.05%

Dot the Tretinoin all over the face (2 dots on forehead, a dot on each cheek, a dot on the chin, then rub it all in - think more like dividing the pea-sized amount of Tretinoin over the skin evenly)

Pea size is about the size of the top half of the top part of your index finger.

As for results, it can take at least up to 6 months or longer, and your extra wrinkles may be from your skin getting too dry on the Tretinoin.

You could stop for a few days then introduce it slowly by only using it  a couple days a week, and then adding on a day a week at a time. (This is what I did)

Also, use that sandwich method of moisturizer, Tretinoin, moisturizer.

I agree with everyone who mentioned sunscreen in the day, and follow some of these dermatology experts on youtube. They have some great tips about using and applying Tretinoin.

I have a feeling you need to just back off on usage and go a bit slower in introducing it on the skin. Patience is key with tretinoin. Think of it more like a marathon than a sprint. HTH

[Franklinbell]

@monicakm I'm in agreement with others about usage. I have the blue and white (.05), 45g tube. A tube will last me approx nine months. I'm very fortunate that I have had minimal reactions. It's a slow and steady process but, well worth the time invested.

[monicakm]

@Shanus 

I understand about the sun sensitivity and tret.  Since I stay out of the sun and am not overly sensitive, I'm not concerned about that aspect, but thank you.

I am also producing more oil in the t-zone.  I haven't produced a bit of oil in 20 years!  I'm actually having to powder my t-zone when applying makeup.  Can age do this or is it the tret? 

[monicakm]

@Texasmouse 

I didn't know what size they were either so I looked.  They're small.  20g.  If I continue with this tret journey, I'm going to ask for a larger tube.  I also use it on the back of my hands.  I'm going to call the pharmacy to see exactly when I started.

[monicakm]

@Texasmouse 

I used a moisturizer under my tret night before last.  Last night I used mixed it.  I remember @SilleeMee saying that it takes longer for tret to work if you use buffers??

[monicakm]

@Texasmouse 

What gets me is I've been using tret for months with no side effects.  Why now?

[monicakm]

@SilleeMee 

Yes, I apply a pea size amt.  It feels barely enough.  By that, I mean it absorbs quickly and feels "dry" before I feel like I'm finished spreading it around.  I use the same amt on my hands.  Last night I mixed it with my CosRX rice overnight mask but I know you say this slow downs the effects of tret.  

[Steffdoggy10]

Does moisturizing under the tret make it less effective? I just don't understand how it could penetrate through Using a moisturizer first.

[monicakm]

@JeanLouiseFinch 

I do this when I think of it.  I'll set a daily reminder on Goolge to remind me to do my face earlier in the evening.  I can't believe you have any left over using a pea sized amt.  It doesn't feel like enough to me.  It sinks in and dries before I get it spread well.  I use another pea size for the back of my hands.  I'm NOT liking the results on my face.  It's dry and is causing wrinkles when I had none