Why doesn't Retin A work for everyone?
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free skin care · Wed Mar 30, 2011 12:18 am

Still on the fence on this one, just wondered what everyone thoughts are?

free skin care · Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:21 am

I actually think it Does work for everyone. Most people give up long before the results are visible on the skin. Everyone needs to find how often they can use it; some people may only be able to handle a few nights a week, while others can use it daily.

free skin care · Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:49 am

I agree with rileygirl.

I think alot do give up too soon. It can take atleaest 6 months or more to start seeing results.

free skin care · Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:55 am

I agree also.

free skin care · Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:27 am

i gave up like 5 times because my skin looked aweful. Major dryness and peeling...but you gotta stick with it

free skin care · Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:57 am

So, how long does it take before you see results, then, on average I mean. A lot of times I read that people do see results but their skin is still flaking and irritated. Does that go away eventually?

free skin care · Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:53 am

Penta wrote:

So, how long does it take before you see results, then, on average I mean. A lot of times I read that people do see results but their skin is still flaking and irritated. Does that go away eventually?

Figure on atleast 6 months. The irritation should definitely get better eventually. It can be a matter of figuring out the right usage schedule for your self and starting off slowly. As mentioned above some can use it nightly and other can only use 3x week.

free skin care · Wed Mar 30, 2011 1:29 pm

If your skin is slow to respond -- like mine -- it can even take up a year for noticeable changes to occur.

Also, sometimes I think Retin A is preventive in nature and not necessarily reparative. But, that is only my opinion.

free skin care · Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:34 pm

I"ve been on it consistantly for about 8 months now and there are no significant results from it but my skin is getting used to the Retin-A and i'm getting less drying than before. I'm more so using the Retin-A as a preventative measure to wrinkles than reparative. I'm 25 y/o

free skin care · Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:59 pm

Expectations that Retin A will do miraculous things for a persons skin is often high. And when the expectation isn't there, people drop it pretty quick. This could be said for any product, I guess. Another one bites the dust.

free skin care · Wed Mar 30, 2011 11:37 pm

kims wrote:

If your skin is slow to respond -- like mine -- it can even take up a year for noticeable changes to occur.

Also, sometimes I think Retin A is preventive in nature and not necessarily reparative. But, that is only my opinion.

I tend to think along these lines. Retin-A is about the best thing you can do for your skin, long term. I put it in the same category as cleaning my teeth - if you're serious about skincare then you'll use it. I don't expect miracles but I know that it's beneficial.

free skin care · Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:09 am

Retin-A will cause irritation on certain skin type. Therefore I rather use the Retinol Molecular film.

the conversion of Retin-A or Retinalderhye and Retinol are as follow

Retinyl palmitate <=> Retinol <=> Retinaldehyde => Retinoic acid

It takes two and three metabolic steps, correspondingly, to convert retinol and retinyl palmitate to retinoic acid. The overall rate of conversion of retinol to retinoic acid is low and that of retinyl palmitate is lower still. Therefore a relatively large amount of retinol and even larger amount of retinyl palmitate needs to be delivered into a cell to boost retinoic acid levels and produce clinically meaningful effects

The products with high concentrations do exist but may still not deliver the purported benefits for a number of reasons. In particular, a product with highly concentrated retinol may cause skin irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin. Highly concentrated retinyl palmitate is less irritating than retinol (at equivalent levels) but is also less effective.

but using the retinol molecular film, since the molecule is very small; therefore more easy to absorb and less irritation.

Reference:
http://www.smartskincare.com/treatments/topical/retinol.html

Product that I am using:
ProBio Vitamin A Night Serum contains Retinol Molecular instead of Retinol.

• Restores dermal thickness
• Reduces sun damage
• Increases skin’s nutrient and immune support
• Protects skin from UV rays
• Restores the epidermal barrier
• Hydrates from within
• Normalises oil levels
• Aids in the management of acne
• Reduces fine lines

free skin care · Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:51 am

Everyone's skin is different, but if you have been consistent with using a product and you still see no results after a year of usage, it will probably not work for you.

free skin care · Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:15 am

I have used Taz for 14 months but not seen much improvement except irritation and redness & then stopped using it and changed to Retin-A since last Oct.

2 months ago, I saw that my skin was much smooth, tight & firm.

I will definitely keep using Retin-A.

free skin care · Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:57 am

My landlady has started using Renova and said she only uses it every other day to avoid irritation.

free skin care · Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:32 pm

I've been using Renova for the last 2 1/2 months. I still can't use it every day, maybe every other night or every third night. I'd like to know if this is worth doing? I thought you needed to use it every night? Also, embarrassed to ask, but what EXACTLY is it supposed to do? My issues are just dark circles (is there anyone who doesn't have this issue, lol), dryness around eyes, (but I know you aren't supposed to apply Renova around the eyes and I'm not putting it there, so this also won't be addressed) and fine lines.

free skin care · Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:12 pm

I used retin a for over a year before seeing a big positive change in my skin. I think the older you are when you start using it the longer it takes. I'm in my 30's. I would say that even after nearly 2 years on it my skin is still improving bit by bit.

My general feeling is that many women are not prepared to put up with the peeling and dryness and so give up on retin a or expect to see vast improvements in 3 to 6 months and I think it takes longer than that. I know lots of women have jobs where a red peeling face is a big no no. I was lucky to be in grad school at the time I was going though that.

If you can bear it try giving it a year at least using it every night if you can.

free skin care · Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:45 pm

pandora77 wrote:

I used retin a for over a year before seeing a big positive change in my skin. I think the older you are when you start using it the longer it takes. I'm in my 30's. I would say that even after nearly 2 years on it my skin is still improving bit by bit.

My general feeling is that many women are not prepared to put up with the peeling and dryness and so give up on retin a or expect to see vast improvements in 3 to 6 months and I think it takes longer than that. I know lots of women have jobs where a red peeling face is a big no no. I was lucky to be in grad school at the time I was going though that.

If you can bear it try giving it a year at least using it every night if you can.

Excellent post, Pandora77. I definitely agree. If anyone wants to see what Retin A can do for a real person, go over to Skincaretalk and look in the anti-aging section. There is a woman named magpie, I believe, who has a thread on her improvements in 1 year's time. Her photos are very impressive, as well as being realistic in what one can hope to achieve using Retin A faithfully.

free skin care · Tue Apr 05, 2011 4:46 pm

I got off of it after two years because it has never been tested for a longer amount of time. Boy that was a mistake. I am back on it again and wont go off it again. Use it and dont give up. Eventually you should be able to use it often like every day. Greg

free skin care · Wed Apr 06, 2011 5:05 am

oasisjc wrote:

Everyone's skin is different, but if you have been consistent with using a product and you still see no results after a year of usage, it will probably not work for you.

This may be true of a lot of products but not true of Retin A. You just cannot make that claim about it, since the longer you use it, the better the results and improvements in your skin over the course of your life. When I started using it in my 30's, I had very sun damaged, blotchy skin (hyperpigmentation from sun and BC pills) but by year 3, the discolorations were gone, the fine lines were pretty much gone, and my skin tone was perfectly even. The improvement was remarkable...hence I'm still using it. I'm frequently asked what I do to have skin like this, at age 58. I've done a lot of things to "save" my skin, but I know its the Retin A that has made the biggest impact. Don't give up on it...it's a life long skincare investment that you won't regret.

free skin care · Wed Apr 06, 2011 2:07 pm

mountaingirl wrote:

oasisjc wrote:

Everyone's skin is different, but if you have been consistent with using a product and you still see no results after a year of usage, it will probably not work for you.

This may be true of a lot of products but not true of Retin A. You just cannot make that claim about it, since the longer you use it, the better the results and improvements in your skin over the course of your life. When I started using it in my 30's, I had very sun damaged, blotchy skin (hyperpigmentation from sun and BC pills) but by year 3, the discolorations were gone, the fine lines were pretty much gone, and my skin tone was perfectly even. The improvement was remarkable...hence I'm still using it. I'm frequently asked what I do to have skin like this, at age 58. I've done a lot of things to "save" my skin, but I know its the Retin A that has made the biggest impact. Don't give up on it...it's a life long skincare investment that you won't regret.

Hi Mountaingirl,
Have you consistently used RA on a daily basis or do you have a 2-3 day regimen? Also, what percent has been successful for you? Thanks so much!

free skin care · Wed Apr 06, 2011 5:32 pm

kims wrote:

mountaingirl wrote:

oasisjc wrote:

Everyone's skin is different, but if you have been consistent with using a product and you still see no results after a year of usage, it will probably not work for you.

This may be true of a lot of products but not true of Retin A. You just cannot make that claim about it, since the longer you use it, the better the results and improvements in your skin over the course of your life. When I started using it in my 30's, I had very sun damaged, blotchy skin (hyperpigmentation from sun and BC pills) but by year 3, the discolorations were gone, the fine lines were pretty much gone, and my skin tone was perfectly even. The improvement was remarkable...hence I'm still using it. I'm frequently asked what I do to have skin like this, at age 58. I've done a lot of things to "save" my skin, but I know its the Retin A that has made the biggest impact. Don't give up on it...it's a life long skincare investment that you won't regret.

Hi Mountaingirl,
Have you consistently used RA on a daily basis or do you have a 2-3 day regimen? Also, what percent has been successful for you? Thanks so much!

Kims...I use it only 2-3 times a week max. I would use it more but I feel like it contributes to my problem with dry eyes. I've not heard of anyone else having that issue, but I have noticed my eyes are less red and dry when I *don't* use it. BTW, I don't put it on my lids...never have and I'm careful not to get it too close to the eye.

free skin care · Wed Apr 06, 2011 5:37 pm

mountaingirl wrote:

kims wrote:

mountaingirl wrote:

oasisjc wrote:

Everyone's skin is different, but if you have been consistent with using a product and you still see no results after a year of usage, it will probably not work for you.

This may be true of a lot of products but not true of Retin A. You just cannot make that claim about it, since the longer you use it, the better the results and improvements in your skin over the course of your life. When I started using it in my 30's, I had very sun damaged, blotchy skin (hyperpigmentation from sun and BC pills) but by year 3, the discolorations were gone, the fine lines were pretty much gone, and my skin tone was perfectly even. The improvement was remarkable...hence I'm still using it. I'm frequently asked what I do to have skin like this, at age 58. I've done a lot of things to "save" my skin, but I know its the Retin A that has made the biggest impact. Don't give up on it...it's a life long skincare investment that you won't regret.

Hi Mountaingirl,
Have you consistently used RA on a daily basis or do you have a 2-3 day regimen? Also, what percent has been successful for you? Thanks so much!

Kims...I use it only 2-3 times a week max. I would use it more but I feel like it contributes to my problem with dry eyes. I've not heard of anyone else having that issue, but I have noticed my eyes are less red and dry when I *don't* use it. BTW, I don't put it on my lids...never have and I'm careful not to get it too close to the eye.

I forgot to mention...I mostly use the .05 and occasionally the 1.0 on "trouble" spots (neck, forehead, and any freckling area's.)

Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:43 am

I used the product back in 2004, I experienced the typical reactions for the first month... dry skin, peeling, redness, sun sensitivity, and burning eyes (no- i was not putting it near my eye). It worked for a while and then I started to break out after 6 months of use. My doctor put me on the stronger dose and it worked. I decided to take myself off due to insurance issues from switching jobs (it can be pricey if your don't have insurance). I have since not used it, however I was thinking again that I may want to talk to my doctor about it again due solely that I want to start preventing my wrinkles (I'm 28 yrs old).

free skin care · Fri Apr 08, 2011 9:58 am

I've been using RA 5 months & think something is happening, skin feels tighter. I also use copper peptides, going on a year with those. Just took a few days off from RA, think that is the solution to dealing with the flakes, irritation, etc.

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