BKB

Refissa - San Jose, CA

I can see a point if you use Retin-a (or the milder version refissa) once a month max. I think part of the problem with these potent drugs is that they are hard to not overuse, and it is the excess that causes the problems i.e. instead of preventing wrinkles, will cause them. So go ahead just make sure you dont use it often and dilute it with a very moisturizing cream. Same with the lines around the mouth.

As far as fish oil and multivitamin benefits for the skin go- most people claim that fish oil will help keep the skin naturally hydrated (which means younger). (Then there are other benefits like heart health vascular health etc. ) Vitamins- maybe not so necessary if you eat a well balanced diet. If you notice no benefit then perhaps don't take them. I think they help with health in general, and help the skin heal. That is why I continue to take them.

I had welts, and scales. The texture felt very dry and rough. In the end they, the welts disappeared as did the rough texture, but with the aid of antibiotics and several heavy duty creams under a derms supervision. I have however less tolerance to different skin products ever since. Make up and moisturizers are a challenge.I can only use a couple of things now.

Guys, I found a cream better than Biafine- more moisturizing and for me no side effect whatsoever. You can get a sample of it (or simply test it) at certain CVS stores. The cream us called KELEMATA (Greek) CREMA SUPER NUTRIENTE. For sensitive skin. For me it is amazing. Skin just drinks it and makes it so hydrated and soothed. Hope it will work for you guys as well.

Did you get scaly dry feel with enlarged pores, or welts, or both? Redness? Is the skin more or less sensitive? I think it will go away for you over time. Have you been to see a dermatologist? You may need a prescription cream, or some slight exfoliator (which they would recommend) Could be that Refissa (viamin A 0.05% for texture) would work well for you. And washing your face more than once per day is most likely not a good idea- . Best

4 days isn't very long to rule it out! When I was your age I used retin-a aggressively as well, causing redness around the nose and my first eye wrinkles and sensitivity. I wouldn't touch the stuff for years after that. I recently started using Refissa (0.05%) and had amazing results. Key is to use it very sparingly. I would suggest weekly or bi-weekly at this high a dosage. Redness you can get rid of with IPL, but it will cost you $500 or more. So my advice would be to stop using it for a couple of weeks and then restart very conservatively (mixed with a cream to lower the dose)