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Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:22 pm  |
Hi there everyone!..so, for about 6 weeks, I have been using retin a cream .025% for acne..my skin has,been improving. However, I recently started using .05% retin a cream as I an running out of my .025%..i have started to break out again after my skin was finally starting to improve. I started trying to phase over to the .05% by using it every other day, and using the .025% every other day on the days,im not using the .05_..my question is, am I doing more harm then good?..am I breaking out because of the strength increase?..what should I do?..im not going through a dermatologist:/ thank you! |
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Fri Nov 30, 2012 4:21 am |
Welcome to this forum, Nikkimaxim
I think you are overdoing it... Try to finish the lower strength first and move up slowly to the higher strength so that your skin can adapt in transition. Using Retin-A in larger amount or using it more frequently than recommended, won't improve your skin quicker, and will increase the risk of developing redness and peeling. Also, your acne appears worse because the medication is working on pimples forming inside the skin. It takes approx. 8-12 weeks to notice results from using Retin-A. |
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Fri Nov 30, 2012 6:57 am |
I agree, stay with the low strength. .025% isn't weak stuff!
It takes time to see results, using more and uaing a higher strength will not give you faster results. |
_________________
Esthetician working at a Med-spa. Love the Clarisonic! |
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Fri Nov 30, 2012 8:35 am |
| I already went through a horrible purging phase in the 2nd week....all I have now is a tube of the .05%..ill be ordering some more .025% but thatll take a month to get here!..what should I do?..use ny .05%?..and purchase another .025%?..or use my .05% and purchase another .05%?..either way I have to use the .05% now because itll be a while for my next, tube to get here:/ |
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Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:51 am |
| You must be consistent with regards to the strength. If the lower strength is hard to get and you can only get the higher strength, then use only the higher strength. But do not use too much. Let your skin adapt to the higher strength if this is the only one available... |
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Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:40 pm |
| Hi Nikki, you can also try using a half of a pea size amount of the .05% and mixing it with a very mild face cream or lotion. Cerave is what I have used in the past for this purpose, and it works well. |
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48 years old. Very acne prone. Staples: Retin-A/Tazorac and C serum. |
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Fri Nov 30, 2012 2:09 pm |
Alrighty, ill just finish the. 025% over the next couple of days then continue on using just the .05% from now on..so I guess ill purchase another .05% and continue with that from now on. As far as mixing it..i was told I should not otherwise it could cause irritation.
I was thinking of purchasing the obagi blender, which is 4% hydroquinone for, hyperpigmentation from my acne, once my skin gets used to the.05% and its improved more. Any suggestions,or tips about this? |
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Fri Nov 30, 2012 2:11 pm |
| doodles's suggestion is ok too. This will work as well so you don't have to buy 2 type of strengths. You can save money |
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Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:41 pm |
I have mixed Retin-A with a face cream many times before and there was no irritation. The only comment that I would make is not to use too much, maybe half pea size as suggested by doodles. If you start using Obagi Blender that has Hydroquinone, you must use a sunscreen and as a protective measure even if you don't use Obagi Blender...
| Nikkimaxim wrote: |
As far as mixing it..i was told I should not otherwise it could cause irritation.
I was thinking of purchasing the obagi blender, which is 4% hydroquinone for, hyperpigmentation from my acne, once my skin gets used to the.05% and its improved more. Any suggestions,or tips about this? |
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Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:48 pm |
| jade-1234 wrote: |
I have mixed Retin-A with a face cream many times before and there was no irritation. The only comment that I would make is not to use too much, maybe half pea size as suggested by doodles. If you start using Obagi Blender that has Hydroquinone, you must use a sunscreen and as a protective measure even if you don't use Obagi Blender...
| Nikkimaxim wrote: |
As far as mixing it..i was told I should not otherwise it could cause irritation.
I was thinking of purchasing the obagi bhulender, which is 4% hydroquinone for, hyperpigmentation from my acne, once my skin gets used to the.05% and its improved more. Any suggestions,or tips about this? |
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I ALWAYS use sunscreen:)..has anyone had success with mixing the obagi blender with their retin a cream for acne?..what should I expect? |
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Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:23 am |
| Nikkimaxim wrote: |
| Hi there everyone!..so, for about 6 weeks, I have been using retin a cream .025% for acne..my skin has,been improving. However, I recently started using .05% retin a cream as I an running out of my .025%..i have started to break out again after my skin was finally starting to improve. I started trying to phase over to the .05% by using it every other day, and using the .025% every other day on the days,im not using the .05_..my question is, am I doing more harm then good?..am I breaking out because of the strength increase?..what should I do?..im not going through a dermatologist:/ thank you! |
I just wish I knew whether my skin is supposed to have another breakout on retin a, or,if this alternation between the two is, just irritating my skin:(..if any of you would like, I post weekly pictures of my skin on retin a in instagram..please check them out and, let me know what u think! @retina_for_acne |
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Sat Dec 01, 2012 4:59 am |
Hello, I've been to a dermatologist for years to control my acne. The best I've done has been NaturDerm Epidermx II, I recommend you try it for me has been very good, my skin is clean grain and my pores and blemishes have decreased.
Description
Epidermx II is a silky serum-based emulsion with the feel of soft Caribbean sand, and a luscious tropical scent that takes microdermabrasion cream to a new level! Often copied, never duplicated, it is the ultimate in home microdermabrasion cream.
- Gently removes daily debris, toxins and dead skin
- Reveals youthful glow to skin
- Deep pore cleanse natural sanitizing effect
- Clean rinse no residue
- Allows deeper penetration of nutrients
Maximize results of other NaturDerm products |
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Sat Dec 01, 2012 5:00 am |
Hello, I've been to a dermatologist for years to control my acne. The best I've done has been NaturDerm Epidermx II, I recommend you try it for me has been very good, my skin is clean grain and my pores and blemishes have decreased.
Description
Epidermx II is a silky serum-based emulsion with the feel of soft Caribbean sand, and a luscious tropical scent that takes microdermabrasion cream to a new level! Often copied, never duplicated, it is the ultimate in home microdermabrasion cream.
- Gently removes daily debris, toxins and dead skin
- Reveals youthful glow to skin
- Deep pore cleanse natural sanitizing effect
- Clean rinse no residue
- Allows deeper penetration of nutrients
Maximize results of other NaturDerm products |
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Sat Dec 01, 2012 5:33 am |
| Nikkimaxim wrote: |
| I was thinking of purchasing the obagi bhulender, which is 4% hydroquinone for, hyperpigmentation from my acne, once my skin gets used to the.05% and its improved more. Any suggestions,or tips about this? |
Obagi is best used as a comprehensive system. If you just want hydroquinone there are less expensive alternatives. You can also use azelaic acid (I use brand Skinoren) which helps with both acne and pigmenation. Hydroquinone has no effect on acne as far as I know but maybe someone else can comment. I also use Blender on alternate days of Skinoren so feel free to ask about those combos although I don't use it for acne.
Also, remember that when you do mix Retin A with anything, you are lowering the strength of the Retin A. So mixing with .05% is going to give you a lower strength on application than .05%. My point is to mix with a higher strength if you want to keep using the same dose as undiluted Retin A.
I recently finished the NuDerm regime. So on non-NuDerm days, I use much less .1% retin A (like a pea size amount) and layer on top of Skinoren after 30 minutes. When mixing with Blender, I use the full .5 gram dose of .1% Retin A.
One last thing, I was using Retin A for a year before NuDerm. When I started at .025% and going to .05% then to .1%, I always got very dry and then purged a bit even though I do not have any pimples or acne. So maybe you are experiencing the purging process? |
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Sat Dec 01, 2012 6:26 am |
| The problem with Nikkimaxim is that she can not get 0.025% strength of Retin-A and it would take her a month to get it, so I suggested to use/buy the 0.05% higher strength altogether and then mix with a face cream to lower the strength of what her skin is used to which is 0.025% strength. It is better not to use too much though..... Let her skin takes the time to heal..... |
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Sun Dec 02, 2012 7:28 pm |
| denisiel wrote: |
| Nikkimaxim wrote: |
| I was thinking of purchasing the obagi bhulender, which is 4% hydroquinone for, hyperpigmentation from my acne, once my skin gets used to the.05% and its improved more. Any suggestions,or tips about this? |
Obagi is best used as a comprehensive system. If you just want hydroquinone there are less expensive alternatives. You can also uIse azelaic acid (I use brand Skinoren) which helps with both acne and pigmenation. Hydroquinone has no effect on acne as far as I know but maybe someone else can comment. I also use Blender on alternate days of Skinoren so feel free to ask about those combos although I don't use it for acne.
Also, remember that when you do mix Retin A with anything, you are lowering the strength of the Retin A. So mixing with .05% is going to give you a lower strength on application than .05%. My point is to mix with a higher strength if you want to keep using the same dose as undiluted Retin A.
I recently finished the NuDerm regime. So on non-NuDerm days, I use much less .1% retin A (like a pea size amount) and layer on top of Skinoren after 30 minutes. When mixing with Blender, I use the full .5 gram dose of .1% Retin A.
One last thing, I was using Retin A for a year before NuDerm. When I started at .025% and going to .05% then to .1%, I always got very dry and then purged a bit even though I do not have any pimples or acne. So maybe you are experiencing the purging process? |
How many times does someone purge on retin a?..i already had that horrible purging phase in week 2..also, since I stopped alternating the strengths a few days ago, my skin is already getting much better! |
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Mon Dec 03, 2012 9:07 am |
| Nikkimaxim wrote: |
| How many times does someone purge on retin a?..i already had that horrible purging phase in week 2..also, since I stopped alternating the strengths a few days ago, my skin is already getting much better! |
I think the purging depends on the state of your skin. I had some tiny bumps on my cheeks for years (like some tiny sand was under the skin) and these purged and that was it. Now the area is totally smooth. |
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Mon Dec 03, 2012 9:37 am |
Purging is unique and different for everyone, no two people purge at the precise same time, or length. I didn't purge when I began Retin A for the first year or so but when I started to purge it lasted a month (and interestingly it is when I went from a cream to a gel as recommended by my derm). I've used it for over 30 years now and wouldn't be without it for anything! You have to use sunscreen though without fail because Retin A makes your skin super sensitive to light. Just because your not outside doesn't mean your not capable of getting damage. You need only be exposed to UVA and UVB rays for a minute to have damage done deep within the skin. Likewise mixing the strengths is not a good idea. I'd actually not use 0.5 because to me its pretty strong stuff. Don't know how old you are, but 1 month isn't a long time and will fly by so just restart your 0.025% when it gets there and you'll be fine.
Obagi I've never used, but its a complete system, so you got to use all their products from memory to get the good results. |
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