POSTED UNDER Retin-A Reviews
Retin-A Micro 0.1% Roller Coaster 6 Month Update - Ridgefield, CT
UPDATED FROM fattransfergirl
Hi, haven't updated in a while. It has been 6...
fattransfergirlFebruary 21, 2013
$25
Hi, haven't updated in a while.
It has been 6 months and I'm really disappointed in this product. It really hasn't done much for me. My skin seems to go in cycles. It will be really pretty clear for a few days and then I will get a bad break-out that takes a week to fully fade. Then my skin will be clear for a few days and again the process repeats. My skin is really flakey and dry around my chin and upper lip especially.
I have been doing a lot of research and I think I do have Rosacea. I have the classic red "butterfly wings" on either side of my nose, etc. And my mother has it. It's often found in pasty people of British descent like me, haha. I went to another dermatologist in December and he said to try Klaron, which is known to help with Rosacea and also with acne. My sister took my bottle and I never got to try it, so I am going to get it from her in a couple of weeks when I see her. I'll let you know how that goes (the new treatment, not the prying of the bottle from my sister's hands).
I will post a new picture of myself to show you the type of break-out I experience. It's only in my T-zone. My cheeks are clear, but they always have been. I've never had acne there, thank goodness.
I'm just frustrated with dermatologists in general. I had to self-diagnose myself with Rosacea even though it's pretty obvious I have it. I think they see so many patients with acne that they get to me and my skin isn't wretched so they're just like "whatever, you could try this." They don't really consider my personal history or skin type. :( I am going to NYC soon and may try to see a derma there.
It has been 6 months and I'm really disappointed in this product. It really hasn't done much for me. My skin seems to go in cycles. It will be really pretty clear for a few days and then I will get a bad break-out that takes a week to fully fade. Then my skin will be clear for a few days and again the process repeats. My skin is really flakey and dry around my chin and upper lip especially.
I have been doing a lot of research and I think I do have Rosacea. I have the classic red "butterfly wings" on either side of my nose, etc. And my mother has it. It's often found in pasty people of British descent like me, haha. I went to another dermatologist in December and he said to try Klaron, which is known to help with Rosacea and also with acne. My sister took my bottle and I never got to try it, so I am going to get it from her in a couple of weeks when I see her. I'll let you know how that goes (the new treatment, not the prying of the bottle from my sister's hands).
I will post a new picture of myself to show you the type of break-out I experience. It's only in my T-zone. My cheeks are clear, but they always have been. I've never had acne there, thank goodness.
I'm just frustrated with dermatologists in general. I had to self-diagnose myself with Rosacea even though it's pretty obvious I have it. I think they see so many patients with acne that they get to me and my skin isn't wretched so they're just like "whatever, you could try this." They don't really consider my personal history or skin type. :( I am going to NYC soon and may try to see a derma there.
UPDATED FROM fattransfergirl
So I guess it has now been...3 months and 12 days...
fattransfergirlNovember 22, 2012
So I guess it has now been...3 months and 12 days or so. So 13 weeks+. Still no marked improvement. I am sticking with this until I get home for winter break and I can see a different (better?) dermatologist. Posting a photo. My chin still breaks out and leaves hideous red marks quite often. And I get smaller breakouts elsewhere, too. Really have not seen an improvement on Retin A over results given to me by Differin gel. Only "improvement" is that my skin stopped purging and hideously disgusting breakouts settled down. But then my skin just returned to "normal" not "better."
Replies (1)
December 12, 2012
Many things have been mentioned here. For acne, the best thing for most folks with moderate to severe acne seems to be minocycline. None of the things folks mentioned in here cleared up own acne. Retin A can be used to improve overall texture of skin, but you have to be cautious with it and mess around with it, until you find the strength, prep, and frequency of use that will work for you. Differin can help, and so can Tazorac, and so can other stuff, but with my sensitive skin, Tazorac was usually harmful to my skin. Differin worked as a secondary help. But, minocycline worked across the board - and I had terrible acne because of hormonal flareups. It was the only thing that worked and from talking with many of my high school students over the years, I have found that to be the case with them too. In an extreme case, you could go with Accutane for a limited period, but unless NOTHING else works, I'd stay far away from that stuff because of all the nasty side effects. Btw, many of these topicals work in different ways with the skin, so it is important to know what your prob is. For example, do you have thicker skin? Differin can be more effective in that particular case.
December 12, 2012
Wish there was a way to edit my response - can't find it if there is. So, I meant to say that none of the stuff folks mentioned in here had cleared up MY own acne.
February 21, 2013
I've never heard of minocycline. I'll look it up. I used to use Differin, but it stopped working after around 5 years of use. It worked pretty well prior to that. I'm not sure if I have thick skin, how can I tell? Right now I'm thinking I have Rosacea, which can cause acne. I'm going to try some treatments for Rosacea along with the Retin-A and see how that goes. Thanks for your help!!
February 22, 2013
Maybe try low dose like 10 mg of accutane (isotretinoin). It works for both acne and rosacea. If you do a low dose like 10 mg, then your side effects shouldn't be too bad.
UPDATED FROM fattransfergirl
Another update, since it's been about a month...my...
fattransfergirlNovember 9, 2012
Another update, since it's been about a month...my skin is pretty clear, but still inflamed, and I am quite discouraged by persistent red marks on my chin. They're difficult to cover with make up. Every time one fades, another appears from a new blemish. I don't know why my chin has become such a problem area recently, could it be hormonal? I'm not on birth control, so I don't get why my hormones would randomly be acting up. It is not like I'm still going through puberty. Just frustrating.
I wish I could go see my doctor, but I am still at school and can't get to see her anytime soon. I will try to go see a different dermatologist come winter break.
Hopefully this is still helpful to someone.
I wish I could go see my doctor, but I am still at school and can't get to see her anytime soon. I will try to go see a different dermatologist come winter break.
Hopefully this is still helpful to someone.
Replies (1)
November 11, 2012
were u prescribed the cream or gel? are you ewearing makeup in the daytime? im on week 3 and my skin is purging like crazy!..im pretty sure my acne is hormonal too because i breakout mainly on my cheeks and jawline
November 22, 2012
I was prescribed the cream, 0.1% Micro. I do wear make up in the day time; powder and concealer, but they are non-comedogenic so shouldn't be causing clogged pores. Good luck with the purging process---it's no fun. Hopefully you'll see results soon.
Replies (4)
Hello! I used Retin for very severe acne. It was looking more like a fungal infection than acne. Retnin initially made it worse but now after 7 months, clear skin but one blemish, that is still peeling away! AND no wrinkles. I stopped using it once my tube ran out and no regression. Its been 3 months of so. I have ordered a refill and will continue treating my skin to prevent any maladies for the future. When I started the treatment my skin got a lot worse before it got better. Im happy I sustained. I did refuse to leave my house MANY MANY times. I thought I had made a mystake. But now, I see it was well worth it. I have my face back. I also switched to mineral make up and change all of my brushes pre Retnin. Hope it helps.