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aubreytil
New Member
 
Joined: 15 Oct 2012
Posts: 7
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Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:09 pm  |
Hi! I'm 25 years old and recently developed cystic acne for the first time. My dermatologist (supposedly the best in town) prescribed me a generic 0.1% Retinoic acid cream, erythromycin gel, Physiogel cream, and doxycycline oral meds.
I was instructed to use both RA cream and erythromycin gel twice a day (AM/PM) and the Physiogel cream at night. I also use SPF 60 sunblock religiously. I've been on this regimen for 2 weeks now and, while my acne has died down, I noticed that the texture of my skin is a little orange peel-y, especially under certain lighting. I don't think it's as bad as the orange peel texture that others talk about, but I think it's getting there. My forehead and side of my face look and feel a little rough and I'm getting worried that this might be that negative side effect of tretinoin that takes months to heal.
My question is, is this permanent? Is 2 weeks too early to be freaking out about orange peel skin? (I've had 2 episodes of horrible peeling and itchiness since I started, btw.) |
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Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:15 pm |
Using the strongest percentage of RA cream twice a day? Wow! I really think that's too much too soon. Most of us start with a lower percentage just a few times a week and build up from there as tolerance increases. I really don't think you should be using it in the morning. Even if you use a SPF 60, it is not foolproof and the sunscreen will degrade over time. Most of us don't re-apply it several times during the day. The retinoic acid is sensitive to light and will become unstable when exposed to light. So, at best I believe you are wasting your precious RA cream by using it in the morning and at worst you are causing more skin inflammation and damage. I would say - stop using it for a week or so and let your skin normalize. Then start using it sparingly at night a few times a week and increase usage slowly.
I believe your orange peely skin is inflammation and should eventually die down if you stop using the RA and then start again very slowly. |
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Sun Jan 27, 2013 1:38 pm |
| how did you tolerate retin A .1% twice a day??? I can hardly deal with .05% few times a week! |
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aubreytil
New Member
Joined: 15 Oct 2012
Posts: 7
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Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:34 pm |
| SnowFairy wrote: |
Using the strongest percentage of RA cream twice a day? Wow! I really think that's too much too soon.
I believe your orange peely skin is inflammation and should eventually die down if you stop using the RA and then start again very slowly. |
Thank you! Its been a few days since I stopped using the RA cream and the orange peely skin has subsided. I also found my derm's advice a little strange since it went against everything I know about using tretinoin (don't use in the morning, start slow, etc.). I'm due for a follow up tomorrow so I'll definitely ask him about that.
My only concern now is the crepey skin on my cheeks, most likely from extreme dehydration. Is that temporary too? It's funny, I have super oily skin and this is the first time I'm racking my brains looking for the most moisturizing cream for my face!  |
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aubreytil
New Member
Joined: 15 Oct 2012
Posts: 7
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Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:38 pm |
| daler wrote: |
| how did you tolerate retin A .1% twice a day??? I can hardly deal with .05% few times a week! |
With difficulty! I had the worst peeling and itchiness and it felt like my skin was getting stung! It did improve my skin, however. If my derm continues giving me the same advice next time I see him, I might not come back. |
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Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:57 pm |
| aubreytil wrote: |
| daler wrote: |
| how did you tolerate retin A .1% twice a day??? I can hardly deal with .05% few times a week! |
With difficulty! I had the worst peeling and itchiness and it felt like my skin was getting stung! It did improve my skin, however. If my derm continues giving me the same advice next time I see him, I might not come back. |
take the advice from EDS! I would say use retin A 3 times a week for a month or so n then may be u could increase to once daily at night time only.... I would suggest not going above .05% but then again I dont have acne issues , may be you do need .1%... |
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