POSTED UNDER Retin-A REVIEWS
Been on Retin-A for Years. Kansas City, MO
ORIGINAL POST
I originally went to a dermatologist because I was...
landofbizarreDecember 29, 2014
WORTH IT$20
I originally went to a dermatologist because I was having hormonal-related cystic acne around my jawline. I'm talking about the deep stuff that sticks around for days and days. I asked for the Retin-A ( I acutally use the off-brand Tretinoin, but I will call it Retin-A because it's easier and the same thing) because I was about 28 and was wanting to start an anti-aging regimen as well as using a topical cream that would treat my acne.
It worked great, and I had really great, glowy skin for years. I lost my insurance for awhile so there was a period of about 1 year where I didn't have any of my Retin-A. My skin was fine for awhile, but then it started to look "thicker" again and after about 8 months I started getting the acne again. Without insurance, the prescription was unaffordable until it occurred to me to use a canadian online pharmacy (do your research! There are web sites that list accredited online pharmacies). I got what I assume to be several years' worth of Retin-A (Tretinoin .1%) for only $50. And it WORKS. I started it in wintertime and I'm a mailwoman who is outside all day in the cold, so I can only use it every couple of days or my skin gets to irritated.
Replies (48)
January 6, 2015
this is a good product I've been using it off and on for years and I have very nice skin I'm 70 years old....
January 8, 2015
Bugsymoon, does your skin still get flakey and dry at times using it? I used .05% for a year and now I've got .1%, the highest strength. My skin for a little bit looked great! But wow, these past few days have been horrible and today is the worst. I look about 10 years older and my skin is burning. I can't find any relief. I don't want to taper off. I'd like to get through this rough patch. Any suggestions? It's bitter cold out today so maybe like Landofthebizarre, that's contributing to the dry, burning mess. I am embarrassed to be seen. Do your upper lids droop when you have any skin flareups, if you do?
January 8, 2015
my skin doesn't flake, I use mine with moisturizer so my skin don't dry out..I use .05...don't use so much take it slow, this is for long term. Put a pea-sized on at night and give it sometime..I guess it took me about 6 months before I notice my skin really coming alive...
January 8, 2015
I actually have a suggestion for combating the dryness: Castor oil applied topically to the skin every evening before bed. It's been rocking my world, and I think it's doing other things to make my face look great. You can pick up castor oil for about three bucks from the grocery store. It goes on really thick and takes almost an hour to sink in the skin really well (so use at night, not during the day) but it is SOOOO moisturizing and doesn't burn my irritated skin like my daily moisturizers do. Also, you can put it right on top of your eyes (castor oil has been proven to make eyelashes grow longer) and it doesn't burn your eyes. Go to makeupalley.com and read the reviews people have written about castor oil.
It doesn't make me break out, and I think that it even makes my existing blemishes look better. Seriously, give it a try. I love it and do it every night in the wintertime. I swear that it makes me glow.
January 9, 2015
Thanks Landofbizarre and bugsymoon. Ive been on the 0.1% maybe 2 months, if that. What a mess I am today though. I had felt my skin burning the last week or so...breaking out and my lids red. I just use a pea size amount. I wondered if I got too close to my lids...but in reading various q&a's here, I see doctors say it's okay to put on lids. I didn't, but it looks like I did because it's a red, irritated flaky, burning mess. :-( Thank you so much LoB about the castor oil tip. I will definitely try it. Where do you find it in a grocery store? I've never used it for anything or bought it., so I'm not familiar with it.
January 10, 2015
You can find it in the aisle with medicines for digestive issues, like gas and bloating. It's used internally to ease constipation. It should be on the shelf by other old-timey remedies like cod liver oil, cola, and glycerin.
March 7, 2015
So are you guys saying after using the retin put on the caster oil? I resently just read that caster oil thickens the eyelashes
January 14, 2015
Thank you for your update. I used retina a in the past and have not for years..I'm thinking of it again but have read numerous posts about it causing hair loss. When I used it (10 years ago) it was really starting to emerge that hair loss was being caused by retin a. but i don't know if it has been reformulated or ???? Does anyone have hair loss from using it?
January 29, 2015
I have used retain a for over 10 years and my hair is not showing any signs of thinning. :)
January 24, 2015
I too get my retin a from canada. I swear by it. I am an Esthetician and I tell every client (almost) that they need to be on retin a and a vit c of 10% or higher. These 2 products have been proven to stimulate collagen production. Some clients are sinkers and some are wrinklers! These products help for both!
February 7, 2015
I just got retin a in Mexico and I'm not 100% sure how to use it. But what's this about the Vitamin C? Teach me your ways! :)
February 8, 2015
Look for a product that is 10% or higher. The vit c must be stabalized otherwise once it hits the air it loses potency. It must be higher than 10% in order to stimulate collagen. I like magnesium absorbyl phosphate vs. L - absorb ic acid due to the fact it does not cause peeling to the skin( already get that with retin a) dermalogica MAP-15 is a good vit c so in skinceuticals. I use vit c in am retin a in pm. Hope this helps.
February 14, 2015
nikisoba,
Below is an excellent Youtube video that should cover everything you want to know about Retin-A products. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMtn1x1tz08
Furthermore, she has one of the best sites for most any other beauty product you may want to review. Google hot&flashy on Youtube.
April 19, 2015
Hello, I have a question, there is serum with vit c and HA in it combined, can I use that along with my retin A that im currently on? do you think it will be too drying? thanks so much
Replies (10)
January 12, 2015
Thanks for sharing! Did Retin A ever give you breakouts? I feel like the more I use it the more my skin is breaking out!
January 30, 2015
no, it basically eradicated all the breakouts , which is why it was initially prescribed
January 31, 2015
That's awesome for you! I wonder why it is having that effect on me. Your skin looks beautiful!
January 12, 2015
How long did it take you to stop breaking out completely. BTW you look great
January 30, 2015
maybe a couple weeks. some peple online said that their skin started purging when they first started retin-a, and that their breakouts became worse, but my ski didn't do that. excpt for initial dryness and peeling, my skin only got better
January 15, 2015
I started getting those cysts too. Yes the subcutaneous ones that lye in waiting deep under the skin and work its way to the top like yeast rising! They are painful to boot too! I started going thru menopause about a year ago and they started coming back again. I was on the Tretinoin and it wasn't working so my Derm put me on Tetracycline. Now I'm on hormone replacement therapy and the subcutaneous volcanoes have started in again. Thank you for your post, I'm going to try and give the Tretinoin cream again. Would you please send me a link to thw website you received your
January 15, 2015
Would you please send me a link to the website where the pharmacies are in Canada. I always heard you could get cheaper prescriptions from Canada but I never tried. Since your post I really want to look into it.
January 30, 2015
February 3, 2015
Looking Great..! I actually had used Retin-A back in the late 80's early 90's when in first got publicity about it's benefits in keep the youthfulness of your skin. Stopped using it after a few years as my skin became really irritated. I was using every night and just think that was too much. Think I'll give it another try. U won't believe how I first learned about back then. In the National Enquirer..! Wild..!
Replies (4)
January 31, 2015
Your results are tremendous. I have been struggling with acne the last six years. Are you still on Retin A now?
February 20, 2015
Beautiful! I am a firm believer in retin a, been using the 'overseas' generic form for almost 2 decades, it works! And sunscreen ;)
March 15, 2015
You look amazing! I have some 0.05% but the dryness and peeling just keeps me from being consistent. Seeing your results makes me want to start it up again!
May 8, 2015
Hello can you let me know how long hyper pigmentation lasts with cystic acne I've had it five years and its left horrible scars some pitted but the redness is not shifting. Can you tell me does it fade completly eventually? Thanks.
Glad to hear your results with Retin-A are positive. When you say that your skin started to look thicker when you were off treatment, what do you mean by that exactly? Do you have any pre and post treatment photos to share with the community, we would love to see your results.Â