Adults and retinols

Crossbow · 12-07-2007, 02:32 PM

Any adults here have luck using retinols, such as Retin-A?

As a teenager,I had mild but stubborn acne, and my doctor gave me the lowest strength Retin-A available. It didn't help my acne but it dried out my skin terribly. But that was over 20 years ago.

Now I'm 40 and still have mild but stubborn acne. But my insurance doesn't cover retinols for people over 18, so my dermatologist gave me Finecea. I used it for a year, but it didn't really make any difference. She also gave me some free samples of Retin-A Micro, which is .04%, so now I'm trying that. It's SEVERLY drying, but my pimples are disappearing really quickly.

So, any experience with this? Know retinol products that don't dry as much? Does the drying go away after a while? Know a cheap way to get this stuff when your insurance doesn't cover it?

sweetlily · 12-09-2007, 01:04 PM

I have used retin-A, it drys the skin severely but gets rid of the pimple quickly. When I started it when I did take it. I broke out horribly but it slowly cleared up. I will say find a good moisturizer. I use shea butter and jojoba oil to combat dryness.

MusicElle · 12-09-2007, 05:16 PM

what !#$? insurance dosen't cover retin-A for people over 18 that is rediculous, my insurance covers it and Im 21. Retin-A is availabe in a generic for but that still cost like $100. But that seems strange to me, millions of adults suffering from acne use Retinols, if I were you I'd be on the phone with the insurance company and even if they refuse it every time, I'd make a fuss to them everyday because that is such a stupid policy. they'd never hear the end of it from me.

americandancer · 12-09-2007, 10:01 PM

I use retin-a, and I'm over 18. My insurance company doesn't cover it at all for any age. I have to pay for it out of pocket. I actually think it is the norm for insurance companies to not cover it, according to my derm. It is not used for acne, primarily.

Crossbow · 12-10-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by americandancer

It is not used for acne, primarily.

What is it used for?

I remember a few years ago they discovered that it could reduce signs of aging, but it had already been in use as an acne treatment for at least 10 years by then.