Beauty

[Dharma_Initiative]

What % is Retasphere? Just curious.

[Wackers3]

On 6/19/2014 Dharma_Initiative said:

What % is Retasphere? Just curious.

Dharma - I don't know what exact % Retasphere is. My guess is 1.5% because I would think Kate would want to use a % as effective as possible but I don't think she has ever disclosed that information. I might try emailing her website one of these days and inquiring - they can always just decline stating, claiming "proprietary" yada, yada, yada.

PTR was either the first, or one of the very first, to come out with a 1.5% retinol and I guess I have assumed that Dr D and Kate, who released their retinol serums quite some time after PTR's, would also incorporate a higher %, especially given the fact it was already available and working well for most who bought it. It usually takes one gutsy brand to break through a widely accepted barrier (1%) and once they do so, others follow.

Hope that makes some sense

[Love2Laugh]

On 6/19/2014 ProductGuy said:

The only thing I know about the Hayflick limit is that it exists and that's why some recommend an off-period when using retinol/retinoid. The only retinol product that ever improved my skin was Green Cream Level 6. You never even hear it mentioned anymore. No other retinol product had that effect on my skin. I remember they stressed how important it was to get to daily usage and I never could, so I stopped it altogether.

Right now I'm playing with GHK-Cu copper peptides at night. I just started two days ago. Florida and sun damage are a tough combo. Acids and retinols make me more sun-sensitive. Of course, I wear sunscreen and a hat, but it just happens here.

L2L, I have always valued your opinions as well. I guess one thing we both know for sure, never believe what they tell you.

ProductGuy, aw, thank you! I am on that point with you about what vendors tell you! You have to do your own research, and some of us learned the hard way.

I am so glad you used Green Cream. It is an awesome product and doesn't the love it used to, but I agree with you - the Florida sun is a killer. Good for you wearing sunscreen and hat down there. Would love to hear how your skin likes the GHk-copper peptides. I know that can really work well for many people.

[Love2Laugh]

On 6/19/2014 Dharma_Initiative said:

L2L I am so very sorry about your family's dog. When the time comes to say good-bye he will let you know, and then just remember he'll be pain free and always in your heart. Hugs, friend.

Thank you, my friend. I sure could use those hugs right now. And thank you for those beautiful thoughts. He had such a bad day 2 days ago. He is doing better today and eating for me. I just don't want him to go. We adopted him when he was 2 and we have only had him for 8 years. It just doesn't seem fair as the family who had him before us didn't treat him so well, but he such a sweetie. I can't imagine how they couldn't have loved him.

[Love2Laugh]

On 6/19/2014 myshell624 said:

On 6/18/2014 Love2Laugh said:

Hey Dharma! How are you?

I am doing alright. I am in the middle of taking care of our dying doggie. He has cancer in the spleen along with anemia. We just found out about it 2 weeks ago, and it has been a really emotional ride. He had a really bad down day again yesterday. I am thankful for our vet. She has given me her cell number so I can contact her anytime I need to. I have about cried myself out, but now I am in caretaker mode, so trying to keep my emotions at bay. My daughter is taking it the hardest as it was her dog.

The boards here are a nice distraction. I tried to read them when I can, but it isn't anywhere near as often as it used to be. I just happened to catch your post here, so yesterday was a rough day for our little poochie, and I needed a good distraction. REtinol is one of my favorite subjects so it was nice to throw in my 2 cents.

Thanks for posting - it was a good question to bring up!

I am so sorry to hear about your doggie. I know how your daughter feels. I grew up with my toy poodle. Her name was Missy. When I got married, she went with me. I couldn't imagine leaving her. She died at age 14 of cancer and I took it really bad. She was my baby before I had kids. My prayers go out to your family.

Thank you so much myshell624. Your kind words mean so much. My daughter prayed for a dog, and God blessed us with this beautiful little dog. We are just loving him and hand feeding him now as he won't eat his normal diet.

[Love2Laugh]

On 6/19/2014 wackers said:

On 6/18/2014 Love2Laugh said:

On 6/18/2014 ProductGuy said:

On 6/17/2014 Love2Laugh said:

...I have heard other cosmetic chemists, aestheticians, and even derms speak of this method before...

L2L

I have as well. You want to avoid the Hayflick limit, I believe. I only mention it because of the opportunity to say hi to an old friend. L2L. How long has it been?

Hi ProductGuy!! Long time no "see." It has been a long while. How are you? So GOOD to hear from you. Yes, I still am in conflict with that darn Hayflick Limit! But my recent research on retinol leads me to believe it has more than just an affect on slowing that Hayflick limit down than what I used to think. Do you have any thoughts about it? I have always valued your opinion about skin care.

You both have my curiosity over exactly what is this Hayflick Limit and am hopeful that one or both of you might have the chance to elaborate, at some point anyway.

ProductGuy ............ interesting that you spoke about Green Cream level 6 because I had more skin reactions from that than I did from using genuine RA. My skin peeled and flaked rampantly and it came as such a surprise because I never had that strong of a reaction from the prescription prescribed RA. I finally found if I used that exfoliating machine Susan Lucci sold on HSN, I could get the excessive peeling and flaking under control. I have commented a few times here about Green Cream and it's effectiveness. I found out about GC through the Editor of Vogue as she recommended it highly. I have not used it for a long time now as I prefer a more subtle retinol. RA (and imo, strong retinols like GC) seem to have become somewhat controversial for use by those over 60 so my feeling is that less aggressive retinols are a safer alternative for me.

L2L .............. hey, right back at you in regards to valuing opinions. I have missed seeing your posts here along with your knowledgeable sharing . And please let me give you my sincerest regards about your precious little guy. I went through that with both my Malteses (fortunately 2 years apart) in 2009 and 2011 and it is heartbreaking. There is no easy way to deal with it. My genuine thoughts and prayers to your entire family. Sometimes it seems like the tears will never stop nor will the intensity of the sadness and I am so sorry you are all going through that. I will keep him and all of you in my prayers.

wackers, thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. They mean a lot. We have a wonderful vet who has allowed me to call her whenever I need to talk or have questions about our sweet boy. He is sure getting a lot of love.

As for the Hayflick Limit it is defined as the number of times a normal cell divides until the cell division stops. There is evidence showing that the telomeres associated with each cell shorten until eventually the cell dies. Research has determined that we only have so many cell repetitions. Once those repetitions stop, the cell is lead to cell death.

Some people believe retinoids shorten the length of the telomere because they accelerate skin cell division too rapidly. However, I believe that theory is faulty. This thinking eliminates the fact that with retinoids, they not only divide cells, but they increase collagen production. Collagen increase is VERY important in building new cells. Not sure where they miss this point on this one, but i think it is an important one.

What is a telomere? A chromosome is a long strand of DNA, and at the end of that DNA is a telomere. The telomere protects the chromosome and aids in cell division (something we need to have those nice, new skin cells). Each time the cell divides, the telomere gets shorter and shorter. (BTW - this is the definition as I know it. I am not even sure researchers fully understand telomeres completely as they are using them to understand cell death in cancer patients.)

[Funloving]

On 6/18/2014 wackers said:

On 6/17/2014 suzyQ3 said:

Hey, Wackers and Funloving -- get a room already, you two.

Suzy, I was also wondering who might comment on our "brief OT moments" and wholeheartedly agree with FL that I am relieved it was you. Others might not have been nearly as amusing (or as pleasant) about it was you were. You really did make me laugh

Hey, I'm all in if you want to join us too - who knows what kind of (innocent) trouble we could get in to - maybe an all day venture into beauty treatments with some refreshing beverages to keep us fully hydrated!

This is me, rearing my ugly OT head again....

Hey.... it sounds like a beauty party... wheeeeeee!

We have WHACKED HUMOR, our adored suzieQ...

Then there's CERTIFIABLE, which would be yours truly...

And last but certainly not least- ahem... I'd say your name says it all!

[BeckiWV]

I used to go to a dermatologist who advised against using retin-a in the spring and summer and to use it in the fall and winter only.

When I asked for a prescription in the summer one time he refused, but in October he forked it right over, LOL.

I've been using it for years and these days, I only use it 2-3 times a week to maintain, but I do use it year round. I also only use the .025 strength, which does just fine for me after all this time.

[Funloving]

Some people tolerate better than others. Common sense goes a long way- if you take a hiatus or not.

[blackhole99]

I stop retinol in the summer because I'm photosensitive due to the medication I take. I can get caught out in the sun for 15 min. with sunscreen on and still end up very pink.