POSTED UNDER Retin-A Reviews
35 years old, trying retin a for acne
ORIGINAL POST
I started getting acne when I was 14yo. At first I...
Emma 1May 29, 2015
I started getting acne when I was 14yo. At first I would just get it on my chin and forehead and antibiotics cleared it up fast. At age 19 I had severe cystic acne and again antibiotics worked (lymacycline). I had a few breakouts after this but managed to control them. Then when I was 26 I had another cystic break out and ended up on roaccutane. This stuff was AMAZING! My acne cleared in 2 weeks! And didn't vome back for 7 years! I thought my acne days were over it was so great. But then after the birth of my second son it started to creep back but was different this time. I had closed comodones which didn't become inflamed so nothing was working to get rid of them! I was so stressed and anxious!
I thought roaccutane was my only option as it worked so amazingly before. So I paid an absolute fortune to see a private dermatologist and he prescibed it for me. At first it worked quite well but not like before. Anyway about 3 months in I was noticing weird scarring and texture on my face. I looked terrible and was mortified. Years of acne and I had never suffered from any kind of indented scarring! I discontinued use as I didn't know what was happening to my skin.
So that was 8 months ago and I have spent my time reseaching ways to help my skin. I have lots of acne again but also weird scarring and texture...its been emotional.
I would never say anything bad about roaccutane, this stuff can work amazingly! Both my brothers used it as teenagers and have fantastic skin. I just think maybe it works differently on older skin and some people have weird reactions. Anyway I tried it and now need to find another solution.
This brings me to retin a. I started using it 2 nights ago. I'm starting off slowly, using only a very small amount mixed with cerave moisturiser until I build up tolerance. My face already feels very dry and tight.
I am also taking lymacycline again and my g.p also prescribed me duac gel to use in the mornings. I have a course of jessner peels scheduled for 10 weeks time so hopefully the retin a will help prep my skin for these.
I will keep you updated on my progress! Fingers crossed it will help.
I thought roaccutane was my only option as it worked so amazingly before. So I paid an absolute fortune to see a private dermatologist and he prescibed it for me. At first it worked quite well but not like before. Anyway about 3 months in I was noticing weird scarring and texture on my face. I looked terrible and was mortified. Years of acne and I had never suffered from any kind of indented scarring! I discontinued use as I didn't know what was happening to my skin.
So that was 8 months ago and I have spent my time reseaching ways to help my skin. I have lots of acne again but also weird scarring and texture...its been emotional.
I would never say anything bad about roaccutane, this stuff can work amazingly! Both my brothers used it as teenagers and have fantastic skin. I just think maybe it works differently on older skin and some people have weird reactions. Anyway I tried it and now need to find another solution.
This brings me to retin a. I started using it 2 nights ago. I'm starting off slowly, using only a very small amount mixed with cerave moisturiser until I build up tolerance. My face already feels very dry and tight.
I am also taking lymacycline again and my g.p also prescribed me duac gel to use in the mornings. I have a course of jessner peels scheduled for 10 weeks time so hopefully the retin a will help prep my skin for these.
I will keep you updated on my progress! Fingers crossed it will help.
Replies (4)
June 20, 2015
you can skip a day or two if skin gets flaky. it's just as effective. I never put retina-a cream above the lip, or eye corners, or near the nose, it gets red and sore.
June 26, 2015
Hi Emma,
Please could you tell me where how you managed to get the Retin A, as I can no longer get this from anywhere in the UK?
Thanks
Please could you tell me where how you managed to get the Retin A, as I can no longer get this from anywhere in the UK?
Thanks
June 28, 2015
I have been prescribed it by a dermatologist before but I never really gave it a good chance.
My mum has used it for years and she buys it from a pharmacy in Goer as it is ridiculously cheap there so she hasn't given me a tube to try.
I have read some brits purchasing it from ebay but I'm not to sure about this.
My mum has used it for years and she buys it from a pharmacy in Goer as it is ridiculously cheap there so she hasn't given me a tube to try.
I have read some brits purchasing it from ebay but I'm not to sure about this.
July 9, 2015
I am an Esthettician ,Retinol it very helpful for oily skin as well , brown sports ,liner. But ,please , don't forget your Suncrean.
UPDATED FROM Emma 1
So far so good....
Emma 1June 14, 2015
Two weeks in and so far so good! I'm using 0.025 every night (I don't mix it with moisturiser anymore.)
My face stings a bit after I wash it but it feels so soft and alot of the clogs under the skin have come to the surface. My face looks and feels so much better.
I do find by late afternoon I am a bit flaky mostly around my mouth but I don't mind this really.
so far I would highly recommend retin a for acne and clogged pores.
My face stings a bit after I wash it but it feels so soft and alot of the clogs under the skin have come to the surface. My face looks and feels so much better.
I do find by late afternoon I am a bit flaky mostly around my mouth but I don't mind this really.
so far I would highly recommend retin a for acne and clogged pores.
Replies (5)
June 20, 2015
Your doctor should have warned you to keep Retin-A away from mouth nose and eye corners. It takes up to 8 weeks to get the full results, I've used it for decades, literally. Just be sure to use a good sunscreen like J&J Purpose or Cetaphil, at least 15UV screen, every day.
June 20, 2015
Ah thanks so much for the advice! I do have quite a bit of pitted scarring but it is hard to capture on camera. I'm using sunscreen and moisturising well but I am breaking out a lot this week :-(
June 20, 2015
one more comment. I had terrible scars, I also had cystic acne. Accutane finally got rid of the little [RS bleep] devils, but although retina-a looks wonderful on your skin, I don't see scars to speak of; severe scarring drove me to get two dermabrasion procedures. It was all worth it, I look okay!
June 20, 2015
back again. Your pics are like looking at my own skin, ages ago. You're talking about the red marks? Those should all disappear, you are going to be thrilled, believe me. I had pits and holes in my skin after the retina-a got rid of all the red marks. Don't be afraid to get a little sun tan, just ease up on the retina-a for a few days. It helps to even the skin one. Good luck! Nice photo work, btw.
June 20, 2015
I don't want to scare you; I didn't get the pits from Retin-a, it was acne scars. lol I'm outta here!
August 2, 2015
Im using retin a cream atm thats been prescribed by my g.p. its been about a week and my face is all flakey especially around my mouth and have broken out with more acne. I believe this is meant to happen though. Not sure wether to be persistant with it or give up. I moisturise in the morning and apply retin a at night...i hope it gets better soon......
August 20, 2015
Hi, I found the longer I use the product the less my skin reacted by flaking or irritated after a while its just like putting on a small amount of moisturiser and you get fantastic benefits. It wasn't until I couldn't get hold of Retin A any more I realised how much this product had helped my skin and my self esteem.
UPDATED FROM Emma 1
Week 4....
Emma 1June 28, 2015
4 weeks in and I thought last week was bad but this week I have at least 5 humongous spots (the one on my neck is the size of a small child's head!) I'm trying to stay positive though as alot of the breakouts are coming from my clogged pores and I have sooooo many I knew this would be a long process.
Face still flakes in the afternoons which makes my make up look like a crusty mask ( not a great look)
Anyway I've changed to a light breathable 'camouflage' make up the girl at my skin clinic sold me but honestly it doesn't cover the redness very well at all so I've been resorting back to Estee Lauder maximum cover but I'm concerned this clogs my pores so if anyone has a good make up that cover
Face still flakes in the afternoons which makes my make up look like a crusty mask ( not a great look)
Anyway I've changed to a light breathable 'camouflage' make up the girl at my skin clinic sold me but honestly it doesn't cover the redness very well at all so I've been resorting back to Estee Lauder maximum cover but I'm concerned this clogs my pores so if anyone has a good make up that cover
Replies (2)
June 29, 2015
When I was 16 I also had severe cystic acne. I was on Accutane for 6 months and it was amazing.Now 25 years later my acne has returned. Not as bad as it was then but bad enough to need treatment. I have been using retin a and it is working very well. The only makeup I was ever able to use when I was 16 as well as now is clinique. It is sold a belk. It covers well and doesn't interact with any of the meds. It is dermatologist recommended and will not clog pores. Hope this helps.
July 6, 2015
Thanks for that, I've been looking at clinique concealers so will go ahead and try it.
July 12, 2019
Stop drinking or consuming dairy products and see what happens. Cows milk is loaded with natural estrogens which are much higher than human milk, this can raise your estrogen levels and cause bad skin.
July 17, 2015
Any new updates, Emma?? I'm considering starting but am getting married in 6mths and worried ill still be in the purging phase. Hope you're having better results :)
I am thrilled that you decided to document your Retin-A journey here on RealSelf. Thank you for sharing your photos. I look forward to your updates, best of luck :)