Just got put on RETIN-a

ClearlyUnclear · 11-25-2004, 03:35 PM

Any suggestions, comments, or experience with it? I am actually nervous about it as I have heard many NOT so good comments. I was on doxy before and it wore off and now my Derm feels that Antiobiotics are no longer an option. She is worrying about my liver. So anyhow, Retin-a, Tell me some experiences you guys may have or heard about it.

Valley Girl · 11-25-2004, 05:24 PM

Hi Clearly Unclear,

I do not know what strength Retin-A you were prescribed or the form. This information would be very helpful, but here is information that I posted for Blabla about a week ago on how to correctly use Retin-A Cream 0.025%. Please read and let me know if you have questions or need more advice.
**************************************** ************************

Now this is how you need to use the medication successfully. You will need some supplies: a cleanser, a moisturizer with sunscreen, a moisturizer without sunscreen, and an AHA or BHA lotion. While you are on Retin-A DO NOT use any scrubs, toners. or masks. This is ruin your skin. Now I will give you my recommendations for which particular brands you should get.

Cleansers: Dove Sensitive Skin Bar or Dove Foaming Cleanser, Cetaphil Bar or Forming Cleanser (not the crap that does not foam), Serious Skin Glycolic Cleanser, Purpose Bar or Cleansing Gel, Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash

Moisturizer with Sunscreen (daytime): Purpose Lotion SPF 15, Paula's Choice Essential Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 15, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion SPF 15

Moisturizer WITHOUT Sunscreen (evening): Pure Aloe Vera Gel, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, Paula's Choice Completely Emollient Moisturizer

Alpha Hydroxy Lotion: Aplha Hydrox, Reviva 5% Glycolic Acid Cream or Gel

Beta Hydroxy Lotion: Paula's Choice 1% Beta Hydroxy Acid Lotion

AM ROUTINE
First, wash your hands with your cleanser. Rinse your hands with water. Now what you will do is wash your face with your cleanser. Always wash with lukewarm or warm water NEVER COLD OR HOT. Rinse your face until all cleanser is removed. Now you will let your face air dry. Do not dry your face with a towel. It will take about 5-10 minutes for your face to airday.

Once you face is dry you will put on your moisturizer with sunscreen. Let the moisturizer absorb into your skin. Now you will apply your AHA or BHA treatment. You are done.

PM ROUTINE
First, wash your hands with your cleanser. Rinse your hands with water. Now what you will do is wash your face with your cleanser. Always wash with lukewarm or warm water NEVER COLD OR HOT. Rinse your face until all cleanser is removed. Now you will let your face air dry. Do not dry your face with a towel. It will take about 5-10 minutes for your skin to airdry.

Once your face is completely dry you will put on your moisturizer without the sunscreen. Let the moisturizer absorb into your skin. Now every OTHER evening you will apply the Retin-A. On the night's that you do not apply the Retin-A you will apply your moisturizer then your AHA or BHA lotion.

Do this faithfully for 3-4 months and your skin will be awesome. This is the exact routine I used to correct the mess that the antibiotics made of my skin. Now I don't even use the Retin-A anymore. My skin glows and radiates for the first time in two years. Last week, I got my eyebrows done. I went to this new salon my friend told me about where they get rid of your facial hair with this Indian technique called threading. Anyway, the lady there who did my eyebrows said that I have one of the most beautiful complexions that she has ever seen. Blabla, I almost cried!!! Now I get remarks like this all the time from complete strangers. Follow my rountine. Keep me posted about your results so I can help you along the way. I am so determined to help as many people as I can.

ClearlyUnclear · 11-25-2004, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valley Girl

Hi Clearly Unclear,

I do not know what strength Retin-A you were prescribed or the form. This information would be very helpful, but here is information that I posted for Blabla about a week ago on how to correctly use Retin-A Cream 0.025%. Please read and let me know if you have questions or need more advice.
**************************************** ************************

Now this is how you need to use the medication successfully. You will need some supplies: a cleanser, a moisturizer with sunscreen, a moisturizer without sunscreen, and an AHA or BHA lotion. While you are on Retin-A DO NOT use any scrubs, toners. or masks. This is ruin your skin. Now I will give you my recommendations for which particular brands you should get.

Cleansers: Dove Sensitive Skin Bar or Dove Foaming Cleanser, Cetaphil Bar or Forming Cleanser (not the crap that does not foam), Serious Skin Glycolic Cleanser, Purpose Bar or Cleansing Gel, Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash

Moisturizer with Sunscreen (daytime): Purpose Lotion SPF 15, Paula's Choice Essential Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 15, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion SPF 15

Moisturizer WITHOUT Sunscreen (evening): Pure Aloe Vera Gel, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, Paula's Choice Completely Emollient Moisturizer

Alpha Hydroxy Lotion: Aplha Hydrox, Reviva 5% Glycolic Acid Cream or Gel

Beta Hydroxy Lotion: Paula's Choice 1% Beta Hydroxy Acid Lotion

AM ROUTINE
First, wash your hands with your cleanser. Rinse your hands with water. Now what you will do is wash your face with your cleanser. Always wash with lukewarm or warm water NEVER COLD OR HOT. Rinse your face until all cleanser is removed. Now you will let your face air dry. Do not dry your face with a towel. It will take about 5-10 minutes for your face to airday.

Once you face is dry you will put on your moisturizer with sunscreen. Let the moisturizer absorb into your skin. Now you will apply your AHA or BHA treatment. You are done.

PM ROUTINE
First, wash your hands with your cleanser. Rinse your hands with water. Now what you will do is wash your face with your cleanser. Always wash with lukewarm or warm water NEVER COLD OR HOT. Rinse your face until all cleanser is removed. Now you will let your face air dry. Do not dry your face with a towel. It will take about 5-10 minutes for your skin to airdry.

Once your face is completely dry you will put on your moisturizer without the sunscreen. Let the moisturizer absorb into your skin. Now every OTHER evening you will apply the Retin-A. On the night's that you do not apply the Retin-A you will apply your moisturizer then your AHA or BHA lotion.

Do this faithfully for 3-4 months and your skin will be awesome. This is the exact routine I used to correct the mess that the antibiotics made of my skin. Now I don't even use the Retin-A anymore. My skin glows and radiates for the first time in two years. Last week, I got my eyebrows done. I went to this new salon my friend told me about where they get rid of your facial hair with this Indian technique called threading. Anyway, the lady there who did my eyebrows said that I have one of the most beautiful complexions that she has ever seen. Blabla, I almost cried!!! Now I get remarks like this all the time from complete strangers. Follow my rountine. Keep me posted about your results so I can help you along the way. I am so determined to help as many people as I can.

Thanks for the response! You have given me a bit of hope about retin a as all I read has been negative. Anyhow, I appear to have the Tretinoin 0.1% cream generic for retin a. I was wondering if you had suggestions about how to apply the cream. My derm told me to apply to the pimples only. Is this correct? Also, I am dead scared to put to much that I believe I have been putting to little. Its been 2 days, but still, i have used very little. I use the neutrogena face mosturizer with spf 15, and it says multi vitamin with alpha hydroxy. Do i still need that alpha hydrxy u mentioned? The soap i use is Basics Sensitive skin bar which i like. What do u think about what I use? Thanks again, valley girl!

xghostsniperx · 11-27-2004, 10:49 AM

I would definitely NOT do what your derm. said. It says specifically on the site that you are supposed to appl it to your WHOLE face, not just spot treatment.

Blitzjade · 11-27-2004, 12:41 PM

Don't use Salicylic Acid (BHA) with Retin A. There should be warnings in the information packet that came with the medication stating that you should not use it due to possible interactions.

Otherwise, Im just about on the 3rd week of treatment with Retin A and I have seen quite an improvement so far! Yes, the inital breakout sucks but seeing blackheads just pop out of my face is a great sight to behold.