POSTED UNDER Retin-A REVIEWS
Retin-A Works! (Even the Second Time Around) *with PICS!* - Germantown, TN
ORIGINAL POST
Hey guys! So, I have finally decided to write a...
ihavmyflawsJune 24, 2013
WORTH IT$12
Hey guys! So, I have finally decided to write a review on Retin-A-- a product that I have been using (along with other products in a regimen) since 2011. I've had acne since 6th grade, but when I turned 21, it moved from just my forehead to ALL OVER my face. Only thing clear was my nose! I tried many products including Biore, black soap, nadinola fade cream, murad, and proactiv (giving each product at least a month to see results). Nothing was working :(, so I knew I had to see a dermatologist.
I went to the derm in May 2011. She put me on 150 mg of Doryx, Sumaxin facial wash sulfur pads, and epiduo. I was on this regimen for a month before I was scheduled for my next appointment. She wasn't happy with the results (It didn't make it better or worse), so she swapped out the epiduo for Retin-A micro 0.1%-- the STRONG stuff lol and I continued to use Doryx and Sumaxin. I was on this regimen for 2.5 months before I went back to see her, and we were both happy with where things were going, so she kept me on this regimen. By December 2011, you couldn't tell me anything. I thought I was so fine lol. My skin had not been that clear since 5th grade! When I turned 23, I was kicked off my insurance and couldn't afford their young adult plan, so I stopped using all of the products once I ran out of them in February 2012. I used Simple products to wash my face with and keep the acne under control. I thought that would be cool b/c the acne was gone and the worst was over. It seemed to be working, but then by May 2012, I noticed tiny under-the-skin bumps were popping up on my forehead, and by June 2012, I was starting to break out along my jaw line. By July, '12, I was once again, a hot mess. I signed up for the young adult plan, forked up the $176 a month to pay for it >-
I went to the derm in May 2011. She put me on 150 mg of Doryx, Sumaxin facial wash sulfur pads, and epiduo. I was on this regimen for a month before I was scheduled for my next appointment. She wasn't happy with the results (It didn't make it better or worse), so she swapped out the epiduo for Retin-A micro 0.1%-- the STRONG stuff lol and I continued to use Doryx and Sumaxin. I was on this regimen for 2.5 months before I went back to see her, and we were both happy with where things were going, so she kept me on this regimen. By December 2011, you couldn't tell me anything. I thought I was so fine lol. My skin had not been that clear since 5th grade! When I turned 23, I was kicked off my insurance and couldn't afford their young adult plan, so I stopped using all of the products once I ran out of them in February 2012. I used Simple products to wash my face with and keep the acne under control. I thought that would be cool b/c the acne was gone and the worst was over. It seemed to be working, but then by May 2012, I noticed tiny under-the-skin bumps were popping up on my forehead, and by June 2012, I was starting to break out along my jaw line. By July, '12, I was once again, a hot mess. I signed up for the young adult plan, forked up the $176 a month to pay for it >-
UPDATED FROM ihavmyflaws
10 months post
Continuation
ihavmyflawsJune 25, 2013
Sooo.. looks like my review got cut off. Anywho, second time around, it took 15 weeks for me to see results I was happy with. The purging/breakout stage in the beginning was just as bad as it was the first time. I had pimples and pustules all over my face. After 8 months, I feel very confident in my skin and am in love with Retin-A!! It takes some time to see improvement, but be persistent and faithful to your regimen, and the results will come!
Replies (6)
June 25, 2013
I always love hearing when someone finds a regimen that works for them!!
Just to make sure I'm understanding correctly you are on the Retin-A, Doryx and Sumaxin now (2nd time around) is that correct?
June 25, 2013
Yes, correct. For the last month or so, though, I've just been taking half a Doryx pill a night (as opposed to a whole one a night). I'm preparing to wean myself off of them completely. I go back to the dermatologist in a week or two, so I'll see what she wants my next step to be. I still have 3 more prescriptions left for all three products, though.
January 8, 2015
I started using Retin-A yesterday and I'm already starting to purge. Do you know how long the purging period is?
Thank you for giving me hope!
January 8, 2015
Yay! Exciting. But scary I know. I would say the purging lasted 3 months. In my day 95 pics, the purging had basically come to an end.
August 12, 2015
You are so beautiful - thank you for sharing this! I have seen others who also had a lot of success with cystic acne - by doing peels at home....MakeupArtistsChoice has great ones...you might want to check out their testimonials page. I have been using their peels for over a year - the changes are drastic....your skin is already so improved, but just thought I'd share this also. And, if you are interested in getting anything and need a coupon ..i have one I can give you for that site. ....take care! :)
December 28, 2017
Wow thank you! I am back on here to show my journey on another regimen. It had been so long since I got on. here the last time I tried last year that I didn't know how to access my profile and thought they deleted my posts for inactivity. Even though, it's been over 2 years, I'm still going to look this company up you suggested and the peels. Thank you!
UPDATED FROM ihavmyflaws
11 months post
Acne Journey
ihavmyflawsJuly 10, 2013
Pictures of my journey with retin-a. Rough journey to deal with, but well worth it :)
Replies (58)
July 11, 2013
Wow, I LOVE the photo documenting you did! The changes in your skin are amazing!! Please, please, please continue to update so we can hear how this continues to work for you - even if its just to say "Still doing good." I want to hear!!
So happy for you!!
July 21, 2013
I am so glad I found this review..I started using Tretinoin about 28 days or so ago and I was about to stop because I felt like it was not working.. Your review and pictures really are encouraging. Thank you for sharing.
July 23, 2013
Oh yay. That's why I decided to do that bc I know it can get discouraging. Stick with it. Hopefully, u get the same results if not better!
July 21, 2013
July 22, 2013
The above post has been blocked because it promotes purchasing prescription medication from an online pharmacy or vendor that does not require or verify prescriptions. Medical experts have advised the RealSelf team that this practice is potentially dangerous and may violate FDA regulations and federal laws, so posts of this nature are not allowed.
http://www.realself.com/blog/bargain-botox-corners-cut-shopping-online
July 24, 2013
This is my third week of using retin a, I am breaking out so much and the worst of all is that my face has become so oily. In the morning I cleanse with neutrogena facial bar for acne prone skin then moisturise with marykay oil control lotion and lastly marykay timewise sunscreen. In the night I just cleanse with neutrogena facial bar, wait for 30 mins then apply retin a cream. Is the excess oil normal, please am so worried
July 24, 2013
Yes! It is. I was going to put that it made my skin oily but I wasn't sure if it was just me, my moisturizer, or
actually the retin a. I did get very oily. Like I could literally see and wipe the oil off my face several times a day and was confused to why. I thought maybe it was due to the fact that I was using a moisturizing sunscreen (which I didn't before I started the regimen), so intermittently and towards the end I stopped using sunscreen altogether and only used a hydrating toner by fashion fair. I'm not recommending not using a sunscreen, but i did not want to add any more moisture to my already oily skin. My skin was still oily but not as bad as when I use the sunscreen too. Now for the last 6 weeks, I have started using sunscreen again: Olay total effects. Since I've been using this, my oil has been very controlled. I dont know if it has anything to do with olay, which I'm using to fade my dark spots more in addition to it being a sunscreen, bc it says it adds moisture to combat dry skin, or if the oily skin naturally ran its course. Now my skin always feels moisturized but never oily. I'm not constantly wiping my face to get the oil off like I was before and it's just not a factor anymore. Also, I can say i took biotin for two weeks and I reeeally noticed my skin got oilier during that time. So, to conclude, it is normal, at least in my case, but mine didn't come until months later, maybe starting back in like Dec./Jan., but it will get back under control.
July 24, 2013
Thank you, am just going to stop using the moisturiser and sunscreen and see what happens because the oil is just too much. Most people's review I have read said that their face became dry during the first week, so am just confused my face is producing serious oil.
August 5, 2013
Hey I replied to your comment but not in the right spot. U'll find my answer at the top of the comments
July 24, 2013
It made my face super oily to and worse the first couple of weeks to the point I was in tears.. I incorporated all organic skin care into my daily facial regimen ( which is comes from a company called Eminence) and within one week there had been a huge reduction in my acne and blemishes to the point my husband commented!! There products you can only purchase from a Spa. I had a facial last week and the aesthetician used these products which I feel in love with.. There is a Eucalyptus face wash that pulls the oil right out of my face and believe me I am oily but this has made a dramatic difference in one week.I also use their clear skin probiotic cleanse, masque, and moisturizer which partners with my trentinoin to be even more effective.. I almost gave up after week two because my face was getting so bad but it was purging my skin... Hang in there it will get better'
Replies (7)