Retin-A Reviews
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Loving Retin A (Tretinoin)

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Spent: $45 in Newport Beach

Comments (25)

Posted 10 Dec 2010

I have been using Tretinoin for the past 9 months. I have really been pleased with the results. I had a facelift, brow lift and fat transfer last November. I asked my Plastic Surgeon what is the best thing I can do to maintain the results and he said use Retin A/Tretinoin.

I have some skin on my face that looks a little crepe like. The Tretinoin has noticeably helped improve the appearance and texture of this area. People have been telling me that my skin looks great.

The Tretinoin does dry out the skin. I found a really good hydrating serum that has helped with this. I think avoiding the sun, using the Tretinoin and a good moisturizer will help my skin keep looking its best.

I am so glad I am using the Tretinoin.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

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My Doctor: Joseph Thomas Cruise, MD

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I have had 3 surgeries with Dr. C. Each time I have loved the results. I couldn't be more happy with my experiences. I highly recommend Dr. C.

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Comments (25)

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Scar4Life 1 Aug 2011
Hi Misty, Your face looks amazing! Can you share with us the brand name of all products you're using on your face? Thank you!
Misty H. (RealFriend) 13 Aug 2011
Thanks Scar4Life. I use alot on my face...in fact I am probably redundant and overdoing it, but I am almost 48 years old so I am hesitant to stop anything. I addition to the Tretinoin Cream 0.05% cream I use the following Vivate products
...nightly renewal cream with glycol
...hydrating cream
...exfoliating facial cleanser
...hydrating facial cleanser
...daily moisturing cream with SPF 30

I also use Neutrogena alcohol toner. The biggest thing I do is avoid the sun. If I am doing something outside in the sun like playing golf I wear a hat. Although I would love to be tan, I don't like the sun spots and wrinkles the sun gives.
Megan P (Community Manager) 6 Sep 2011

I just started using Retin-A - so glad to hear you have had such good results!! Thanks for listing the products you use, that is really helpful!

inheritenceangel 7 Oct 2011

I recently started useing retin a and it made my face worse i asked my mom, because shes a nurse and she said it's supposed to.A couple days later i loved the results and it will continue to get better.

Megan P (Community Manager) 10 Oct 2011

I've been using it since early September & still am not seeing much change in the clarity of my skin - but I'm going to try for another month or two. Maybe my skin is just stubborn or something! ;)

Sweet alex 26 Oct 2011
Today ill be starting 0.05% retin , i was wondering do i have to rinse my face an hour afterwards? Can i put on a moisterizer an hour after i have applied retin?
Megan P (Community Manager) 27 Oct 2011

Hmm, I've never heard of anyone needing to rinse their face an hour after. Was that something your doctor told you to do, or just what you thought you were suppose to do?

At night I wash my face, put on my moisturizer, wait 15 mins, then put on my Retin-A. That is pretty much what I have read everyone else does too. That being said, I'm not a doctor & there could very well be reasons you were instructed to rinse yours off. You could post your question in the Q&A section. The doctors volunteer to answer the questions, so its free. Make sure to put in any unique circumstances that might be reasons you were under the impression you were to rinse your face after an hour.

Hope that helps! :)

pinkpamper 8 Nov 2011
I think you are supposed to apply retin a before your moisturizer. That could be the reason your skin hasn't cleared up. Apply your retin a then wait 20-30minutes ans then apply your moisturizer.
BrittB 8 Nov 2011

Hi pink, 

Do you use Retin-A? 

Thanks,

-Britt

pinkpamper 9 Nov 2011
Yes, I just started using it 4 days ago. I don't have bad acne, im using it for skin rejuvination and anti aging. I do have very mild acne. My skin was totally clear after 2 days of using retin A. However the third day my corners of my mouth got insanely chapped. I wasnt aware that you are not supposed to get it close to your lips and corners of your nose. Luckily I am a stay at home mom and I was able to nourish my face with lotions and creams all day yesterday. My corners are still chapped, but way better. My skim just started peeling and is red and blotchy in some places. Also I think I might start breaking out (which is part of the 2 week introduction process). Hopefully I don't look like a freak on thanksgiving :) have you had any clearing up since?
Misty H. (RealFriend) 13 Nov 2011
Hi Pink

Your skin may be red and blotchy for a while, but your skin will get used to it and the redness should diminish. You can use Hydrocortizone cream to help with the redness the first 10 days. When your skin is peeling that means the Retin A is working and your skin is regenerating. It is important to exfoliate every few days to slough off the flaking skin. Then use a very good moisturizer. After washing your face give it 10 - 15 minutes before putting on the Retin A.

I have been using Retin A for about a year and I love it. It is the best thing I can do for my skin.
pinkpamper 14 Nov 2011
Misty, when you say a while... how long is a while?
Misty H. (RealFriend) 15 Nov 2011
pinkpamper, a while can vary by the person. Some people are more sensitive to retin A than others. I would say your skin can be irritated for 2 weeks to 2 months.

Consumer Reports did a study on skin care and their results show that using a prescription retin A or treinoin cream is the very best thing you can do to keep your skin looking it best.

You must be careful and protect yourself from the sun. Retin A can make you more prone to sunburn. Wear SPF 30 on your face whenever going out. Good luck
Megan P (Community Manager) 16 Nov 2011

I think I must be one of the more sensitive people. I've been using it for a little over 2 months & had to cut back to every other night max. My skin was getting really irritated & was peeling a lot, so I was getting a little raw on my cheeks. Since I've cut back the use I seem to be tolerating it much better.

BostonGalToo 20 Nov 2011
I m on my day 3 of retina and I am wondering what to expect no pealing yet I am expecting great looking skin please comment. I am using for fine wrinkles i am early 40s Thanks !
Megan P (Community Manager) 21 Nov 2011

As for my experience, I haven't noticed the great changes many other people note. I had about 6 weeks of bad breakouts, followed by going back to where my skin was before I started. As I mentioned above I'm now using it every other night. I certainly don't blame the Retin-A though, my skin has always been problematic. My sister has been using it for a couple of years & her skin looks great! I'll keep using it, hoping as my skin continues to get used to it I will see more improvement.

I hope you have wonderful results!!! :)

Misty H. (RealFriend) 27 Nov 2011
Hi BostonGalToo

From what my doctor says and from what I read in Consumer Reports Magazine Retin A (or Tretinoin Cream) is one of the best things you can do to keep you skin looking its best. If you get redness it is usually temporary and you can use hydrocortisone cream to help with the redness. Get a good moisturizer to help with the dryness. I use a buff puff to help exfoliate the dry skin. Good luck.
BostonGalToo 21 Jan 2012
Hi, I am about 2 months into using Tretiniun and see great results, I've had many comments that your skin looks great! So happy it's exactly what I needed. I also moisturize throughout the day. Just wanted to update.
pinkpamper 21 Nov 2011
Thanks megan! Im on week 3 I broke out a little, but I think that's what's supposed to happen. My skin is irritated around my mouth, but im going to stick with it also. I feel like it will be worth the wait. My friends mother has been using it for 15 years and she has amazing skin. She doesn't have a single wringle on her face
Megan P (Community Manager) 21 Nov 2011

Yeah, there are a ton of people who swear by it - fingers crossed our skin will get used to it & it will be the same for us!!! :)

DonnaY 16 Jan 2012
can you post your nightly routine in order..
example.

wash face with___
wait ___ mins apply retin a
apply ???? cream
apply ??? cream

etc...

thanks for the info. a girl can use all the help she can get.
Misty H. (RealFriend) 16 Jan 2012
I have quite a routine. First I wash my face with Vivate moisturizin cleanser. Every 2 days or so I use an exfoliating scrub with a buff puff. Then I use an alcohol free toner to make sure all of the make-up is removed

Then I wait about 10 minutes when my face is dry to put on the tretinoin cream. Then I follow-up with Vivate nightly renewal cream with glycolic acid. The Vivate hydrating cream and finish off with the Vivate eye cream.

Some of this is probably redundant, but so my results are good so I keep doing it.
DonnaY 17 Jan 2012
Well, it sure looks like it works so I wouldn't change a thing. One other question. do you use it on your neck/decouage area or just the face.
Misty H. (RealFriend) 17 Jan 2012
Thanks Donna. I use only sun protection during the morning and moisturizer at night on my neck.
lauraerr 30 Jan 2012
Hello, I am 44 and do you recommend a certain brand of a moisturizer?

Thank you,
Laura E.

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