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Wed Aug 01, 2007 6:35 pm  |
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to post this question here as I've been using Retin-A for almost two years and I don't know if it is making a difference. In fact, it feels as if it is making my skin worse and puffy. My skin seemed better before I used Retin-A.
If you had wrinkles, sagging, or older looking skin and if Retin-A made a significant difference for you please reply to this thread with more details on the before and improvements. If you feel Retin-A didn't make a difference or made your skin worse, please let me know as well.
I am thinking about stopping Retin-A but am really scared to do it b/c I wonder if it has been helping me. Then again, maybe it wasn't. Thanks! |
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Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:01 pm |
| I use Retin-A to help my acne. But seems it doesn't work too well for me. I guess you can stop it for a while and see how it goes. You can always go back to Retin-A, nothing much to worry about. |
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Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:30 pm |
| Uno wrote: |
| I use Retin-A to help my acne. But seems it doesn't work too well for me. I guess you can stop it for a while and see how it goes. You can always go back to Retin-A, nothing much to worry about. |
I used it for my acne too. My doctor told me it often took 8 weeks for retin-A to have effect. And I think it does need that long to cure acne. At first my skin only dried out and peeled, but finally the acne got less and less and disappeared. |
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Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:11 pm |
i've been using retin-a every other night for a week, but have had no redness (slight flush once). do you think i'm not putting enough on? I do have peeling but i think it's from the topical antiobiotic that i'm using (clindamycin) and not from retin-a because i'm only peeling in the areas i'm putting clindamycin on.
am i doing it wrong, or am i one of the lucky ones who experience no irritation from retin-a? (hope it's the latter! )  |
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Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:20 pm |
I started using Retin A & Finacea Gel about a week ago for acne. My face is peeling, luckily I have a jar of Epidermx left because I can't stand the dry skin hanging off my face. My face is red, but the acne really has cleared up. I'm not sure if its from one or a combination of the two.
I've never been too worried about the sun. My makeup has sunscreen in it, but I never reappply it during the day. I've noticed this week, even a small amount of sun, burns my face. I was outside working in a flower bed for maybe an hour, my face was as red as if I had spent the day at the beach. So now I have to wear a hat to go outside....and its a real pain in the butt. |
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46 yrs old, I live at the beach and love being out in the sun. |
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Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:07 pm |
You really should use good sunscreen if your using retin a. Makeup with sunscreen isnt good enough, you are meant to apply 1/4 tsp of sunsceen to get the spf on the bottle.
So youd need a hell of alot of makeup on to get the spf on the bottle. |
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39, in Australia, using retin a, Skin actives I Bright and Antiaging Cream, change sunscreen regularly currently. |
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Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:31 pm |
| i use retin a micro, i think it's the only thing that really works to keep acne away for me. i am not too sure about wrinkles and lines as i'm still not at the stage yet. |
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20s with combination skin. |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 1:07 am |
| I wouldn't be without retin A. I use it for aging. I has definitely improved the fine lines and I think definitely slowed signs of aging. My skin is smoother and has more of a youthful glow than before I started. I use 0.1% cream. This is fantastic stuff for me! |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:08 am |
| I have been using Renova and Diacneal for about 3 months now, mainly for anti-ageing but also to prevent more bumps coming up around my eyes (my derm said they were not milia, but syringomas, some overgrowth of sweat glands). Noticed that it improves the overall quality of my skin, made it less oily and decreased the number of hormonal acne spots I get. Also starting to see effects on my old acne scars and pits, as in they are getting noticeably shallower. Those irritating spots of pigmentation are also fading gradually. It helps to use it with a high PPD sunscreen. I use Avene emulsion SPF50. |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 3:19 am |
I have been using RetinA for almost 6 months now and while I could comment on what it has or has not done for my skin I think that the more important thing is what it is doing to your skin.
If RetinA is making your skin feel puffy there is the possiblility that it is irritating your skin. I know that often there is an adjustment period after starting RetinA but two years is way past the adjustment period. What makes you wonder if RetinA might be helping your skin? You say your skin is worse and puffy but did not mention the benefits that you have experienced.
Also, what strenght of RetinA are you using? And how often do you apply the RetinA? |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:52 am |
| librarygirl wrote: |
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to post this question here as I've been using Retin-A for almost two years and I don't know if it is making a difference. In fact, it feels as if it is making my skin worse and puffy. My skin seemed better before I used Retin-A.
If you had wrinkles, sagging, or older looking skin and if Retin-A made a significant difference for you please reply to this thread with more details on the before and improvements. If you feel Retin-A didn't make a difference or made your skin worse, please let me know as well.
I am thinking about stopping Retin-A but am really scared to do it b/c I wonder if it has been helping me. Then again, maybe it wasn't. Thanks! |
hi librarygirl - i see from your signature that you're 30 yrs old. a spring chicken! yet you ask in your question if any of us have had results with retin-a for age-related concerns. i am in my mid-40s, and have been using retin-a for about 3 years. i would credit it with being one of the things resposible for (so far!)keeping me virtually wrinkle-free.
if you're using it for acne-related concerns, and haven't had results after almost two years, i would suggest it might not be right for you. but if you're using it for aging, i'd suggest you're still too young to notice any difference. lucky you! |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 7:20 am |
| carolb69 wrote: |
You really should use good sunscreen if your using retin a. Makeup with sunscreen isnt good enough, you are meant to apply 1/4 tsp of sunsceen to get the spf on the bottle.
So youd need a hell of alot of makeup on to get the spf on the bottle. |
Yes, that what the doctor told me. Even it was in winter, I used suncreen everyday when I used retino-a |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 8:52 am |
I used it for my acne on and off for several years. I don't know about warding off signs of aging as I am only a 32 year teeny bopper  but it did help to keep my skin clear and smooth. The only downside is the persistent dry, flaky patches especially when you have makeup on.
I agree that if it's not helping your acne condition it might not be right for your skin type. |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:04 pm |
Wow, impressive amount of responses!!! All your input was very valuable and like what I've read, everyone's skin type is different and reacts differently to all products. Wished we were all homogeneous in this respect. When I started Retin-A, my skin looked great with less lines and spots. Felt tighter too.
Unfortunately, Retin A must be used for at least 3 months, either every day or every other, to notice any effects for wrinkles or acne. I, however, have been using it for almost 2 years and am wondering if the irritation is causing my skin to suffer in the long run. Even though I wear Shiseido SPF 55 sunscreen everyday, I also wonder if the Retin-A makes your skin very vulnerable to the UV rays despite the sunscreen. Now, I have to use sunscreen with zinc/titanium dioxide due to the irritation and puffiness I get with chemical sunscreens. I have ignored my Shiseido SPF 55 sunscreen and moved on to Clarins UV SPF 40 or Juice Organics Tinted SPF 30. I also stopped using Prevage, Regenerist, or any heavy duty stuff.
Chrissie, you HAVE to wear sunscreen with your makeup. SPF in makeup is not enough as Carolb69 states.
h.kitty, my benefits were less lines and spots in the first several months of using. I sometimes wonder if my barrier broke and that's why I feel like my skin is so much more sensitive now to the point that my skin puffs out. On the other hand, I was recently diagnosed as hypothyroid (puffiness is a symptom from water and mucin retention) but I noticed that when my skin is absent from RA, my face doesn't swell. I was using .1% every other day.
graceless_lady,I was not using this for acne but for anti-aging. I sometimes wonder if this product made my skin worse due to the excess peeling and irritation. I think the skin barrier may have been severely compromised.
LizaA, not for my acne but for anti-aging purposes. Weird how my skin looks better without RA lately. |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:55 pm |
| I have read that for wrinkles/aging issues, one should use Retin A nightly for 1 year and then you back off and only use it 2-3 times a week. I believe it said after the year of nightly use there was no benefit to using it nightly. Sorry, can't remember where I read this, but I thought it was actually by the inventor of Retin A. |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 3:36 pm |
librarygirl it does sound like you may have compromised your skin barrier. Whether the RetinA was the only cause is hard to say but I would suggest stopping RetinA for the time being. If you are chronically irritating your skin you are doing more harm than good. In fact, irritation/inflammation will if allowed to persist age the skin too. I am not saying that you should not use RetinA and maybe once your skin calms down and your skin barrier is repaired you will be able to go back to retinoids. Maybe a lower strength would be better for you or maybe a retinoid like Tazorac would be better tolerated by your skin. But that is something to look into when when your skin barrier is back to normal!
I should have looked at your signature when I posted my first reply because it says right there what strength of RetinA you were using! I did notice that you are using Olay Regenerist (or should I say were!) and that might be a good product for you. It contains niacinamide which has been shown to help with skin barrier repair. |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 8:18 pm |
librarygirl:
Your skin deterioration is due to your thyroid problem, not connected to Retin-A. Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) causes changes in the skin. Your description of puffy skin is classical for the condition. Another name for it is "myxoedema". There is extra mucus-like substance accumulating in the deeper layers of the skin. Retin-A would not be able to rectify that. Once you have adequate thyroid hormone replacement and your body systems are stabilized again, you should be able to see improvement in the skin. In the meantime, check with your doctor or dermatologist whether there is any point in using Retin-A. I think your priority now is to get the thyroid condition under control. You must remember to regularly take the thyroid hormone replacement every day. The thyroid imbalance affects all of your body systems, not only the skin. You will find overall improvement in everything, including mood, energy level, etc. |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 9:18 pm |
Carolb69 & Librarygirl ~ thanks for the reminder that I have to wear sunscreen. I'm relatively new to Retin-A, and in the past I felt that the sunscreen in my foundation was adequate. I realize now, that it is not enough. Since reading this post a couple of days ago, I've been putting spf 35 on every morning!!!  |
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46 yrs old, I live at the beach and love being out in the sun. |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 9:57 pm |
Hi,
I didn't have much luck with retin-a (micro - for my acne) but I love tazorac. Works great on my acne and oily skin and seems to be working for anti-aging as well. |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 9:58 pm |
Hi m1rox,
Thanks for your detailed reply. This hypo problem really is terrible. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. So hypothyroidism creates skin problems? Is that why I feel like my skin is getting looser and looking like I'm aging so fast? I am on 2 grains of Armour per day and I feel so waterlogged. I have hashi's and am wondering if I should change to a synthetic T4 and a synthetic T3 med.
I just started working out with The Firm and other DVDs and am finding that I don't look as swollen. I'm also trying to cut down on sugars and unnecessary bread. My adrenals are fine although my progesterone is a bit low, according to my GP.
Are you hypo? If so, what is your treatment? You can send me a PM if you like. I already stopped Retin A and am very focused on getting better from hypo. Thanks for the recommendations. When I feel my face, I feel thickish jellyish skin. Not feeling so beautiful nowadays.
| m1rox wrote: |
librarygirl:
Your skin deterioration is due to your thyroid problem, not connected to Retin-A. Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) causes changes in the skin. Your description of puffy skin is classical for the condition. Another name for it is "myxoedema". There is extra mucus-like substance accumulating in the deeper layers of the skin. Retin-A would not be able to rectify that. Once you have adequate thyroid hormone replacement and your body systems are stabilized again, you should be able to see improvement in the skin. In the meantime, check with your doctor or dermatologist whether there is any point in using Retin-A. I think your priority now is to get the thyroid condition under control. You must remember to regularly take the thyroid hormone replacement every day. The thyroid imbalance affects all of your body systems, not only the skin. You will find overall improvement in everything, including mood, energy level, etc. |
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Thu Aug 02, 2007 10:45 pm |
| No, I don't have hypothyroidism or Hashi's, but I have a medical background. That is why when you described your skin and the fact that you are recently diagnosed with the thyroid problem I know that the two are definitely connected. Your description is really good. The stuff that accumulates in the deeper parts of the skin is jelly-like, that's why your skin is like that. It will take some time for everything to be controlled with the medications. I don't know how long it will take the skin to recover. You can ask your doctor if he is able to give you an indication. Also tell him about your skin and maybe he can recommend anything that would help. He hasn't seen you before your condition was diagnosed, so he won't know that your skin has changed so much. You should be under a specialist in endocrine disorders because Hashi's is a long term condition. Any weight gain you had in the past 2 years is also likely to be due to the thyroid condition. |
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Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:29 am |
| Yes, I have, I love the result!! |
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using obagi now.. I had combination skin, oily on T zone and sensitive on cheek area.. easy to get breakout on chin and jaw line.. |
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Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:20 am |
| I have used Retin A on and off for 10 years for acne. I've been using it consistently for the last 3 years. It definitely helps with my acne and I think it is also helping to ward off signs of aging. I'm not at the age yet where wrinkles are a concern, but I do have some friends who have some lines around their eyes and mouth, even though they are in their 20's, and I'm not experiencing any of that. |
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Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:45 am |
Retin-A DID help my acne, but it took about 7 weeks to see any results and I almost gave up. Then I stopped b/c it is just too expensive for me but I think I'm going to start again. You do have to go through a very annoying and painful peeling process in the beginning.
As for aging, I have a friend who is 50 and has been using Retin-A since she was 35. She could pass for 35! I know a lot of that is good genes and diet (she has a really good one - she doesn't eat any junk food at all!) but still I am impressed by that. |
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Sat Aug 04, 2007 6:57 am |
| Chrissie wrote: |
| Carolb69 & Librarygirl ~ thanks for the reminder that I have to wear sunscreen. I'm relatively new to Retin-A, and in the past I felt that the sunscreen in my foundation was adequate. I realize now, that it is not enough. Since reading this post a couple of days ago, I've been putting spf 35 on every morning!!! |
Good girl
Ive been using Retin A for maybe 3-4 months. Definately seeing an improvement in my pores. Not on lines yet but as some have said that takes awhile.
I only use 3-4 nights a week and it seems to be enough to help keep my pores clear. I did try more days than that but found my skin gor irritated so backed off.
Does anyone know if it will still help lines when its not used every day? |
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39, in Australia, using retin a, Skin actives I Bright and Antiaging Cream, change sunscreen regularly currently. |
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