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Style & Beauty

Retin A

77 replies

awishes · 17/09/2017 09:34

If you have been using Retin A prescription strength for some time ,can you see a beneficial difference in your skin?

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Bombardier25966 · 17/09/2017 10:38

My skin is too reactive to stick with it long term. I switched to The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid (they've changed the name slightly now) and certainly get more compliments on my skin than I did. I can pretty much go without foundation too!

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burnishedsilver · 17/09/2017 11:27

Yes. Huge difference. I've been using it for about 2 years. Skin is fresher looking, sun damage has faded considerably.

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Walkingdead11 · 17/09/2017 11:34

Where do we get this wonder product??

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WobblyLondoner · 17/09/2017 11:35

I've been using La Roche Posay R for a few months (at night only) and I do think it has made a difference - my skin does look fresher. I use the separate eye cream too, can't say I've noticed much. I'm 51. I've just ordered some of the Ordinary stuff and will try that when my current stuff runs out.

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WobblyLondoner · 17/09/2017 11:36

Sorry, just noticed you said 'prescription strength' - mine far weaker than that (0.3).

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Tollygunge · 17/09/2017 11:37

Was just about to start this thread! I started non prescription about 2 weeks ago- just using a pea sized amount at night. I feel my wrinkles are getting worse! From what the be read this is quite common but it's still hard to see. Last night I smothered my skin after in avene cicalfate which has helped but they're def more noticeable. Always wear spf etc. Tell me it gets better!!

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SilentlyScreamingAgain · 17/09/2017 12:08

It gets better.

It really dries your skin out to start with, especially if you go too quickly with it. You shouldn't be using it every night, straight off, scale back to twice a week, give it a couple of weeks and then move on to three times a week for a couple of weeks and then every other night.

It does really work, OP, but it takes six months to notice any real difference.

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awishes · 17/09/2017 12:18

Thank you, pereserverance then! I noticed that if I have had irritation then peeling my skin looks improved but then I scale it back to stop the peeling and it goes dull again.
I've definitely seen a reduction in depth of wrinkles but my main reason for starting with it was to try and improve collagen as I'm in my 50s and have acne scarring which is now visibly worsened due to slack skin. I don't want to resort to fillers for a number of reasons .
I would be interested in any success stories!

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Walkingdead11 · 17/09/2017 12:28

So I take it prescription strength is through a private prescription from a dermatologist?

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novelsandnaps · 17/09/2017 12:43

I would also like to start using retin a (at the moment I am on prescription zineryt) but am currently also using a BHA liquid which doesn't seem to be doing much. Has anyone found that retin a works better than BHA?

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bananafish81 · 17/09/2017 13:24

I use Treclin which is tretinoin (active ingredient in Retin-A) and clindamycin (topical antibiotic)

Has transformed my skin far more than any BHA ever did

Private prescription from a dermatologist - I use Skinoren (azelaic acid) in the morning and Treclin in the evening

This is for combination acne and ageing

Once the acne is improved sufficiently I don't know if we will switch to Retin-A or stick with the Treclin

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Mumsnut · 17/09/2017 13:39

Banana - is this a dermatologist near London? I have just that problem

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bananafish81 · 17/09/2017 13:41

Yup, London dermatologist - really seeing a difference a few months in

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JohnCheese · 17/09/2017 14:28

I've been using it fairly religiously for about 5 years. I can still only tolerate it about 3 times a week - I could never, and still can't, use it daily.

Has it helped? Tbh I can't see it. But then I'm looking at my face every single day and any gradual change is hard to measure. However, I recently had a reunion where I hadn't seen people for 5 years. They kept saying that I looked as young or younger than 5 years ago. I believe them because I want to Wink. Maybe they're right but I find it impossible to tell you truthfully.

My derm also tells me my skin has improved a lot but when I saw her first I still had acne etc so my baseline was v low.

I am also a little fanatical about spf.

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Dustbunny1900 · 17/09/2017 14:56

I tried it a few years ago w prescription strength trentinoin and did everything "right"..put it on right before lights out so it didn't degrade, only used it once a week at first, was very careful about spf and sun protection (if you aren't fanatical about it, it'll make your skin worse) and I upped my moisturizing during the week.

It got rid of any acne that's for sure, but made my skin flake and look "thinner". I'll try it again when I hit my 40s

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bananafish81 · 17/09/2017 15:09

I think my skin must be bulletproof as I use Treclin nightly, with a blob that's about 10mm long, and I actually forget to use moisturiser, as my skin no longer feels dehydrated from overuse of acid toners

Maybe the tretinoin strength in Treclin is different to Retin-A? Or maybe I've got the hide of an elephant!!

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lavenderbees · 17/09/2017 15:30

Yes a huge difference. I have been using it for 4 years and think I look better than I did at before. You need to start slowly and work your way up. After 6 months you only need maintenance of twice a week I think. I also smother my face in factor 50 as it can really damage your skin if you burn.

I get my online and have never had any problems about £10-15.

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Walkingdead11 · 17/09/2017 16:31

lavenderbees

Where online and what is the name if the product you use please?

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Love2dance · 17/09/2017 16:32

I've been using prescription strength Retin A for about 5 years. I use it every day and have seen a difference (very smooth skin texture).
I get it on prescription from a private dermatologist. I'd love to buy online but have only seen RA in gel form which includes alcohol and I think the combination would be too harsh so I'm stuck with shelling out. I use it in combination with other stuff for melasma.

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awishes · 17/09/2017 16:35

Yes I order online too but have noticed that it's becoming harder to order. EBay have banned it in believe.
Anyone tried fillers for acne scarring?

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Gah81 · 17/09/2017 16:41

I use the same Treclin and skinoren combination and has made a world of difference both to my acne d the texture of my skin: smoother, clearer, brighter. Have gone to work with nothing on my face (usual eye/cheek makeup) and felt wonderful.

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lavenderbees · 17/09/2017 17:01

Yes it is harder to buy but I always manage to get it on ebay or geoffs pharmacy etc.

I started out on 0.025% until my skin got used to it and then moved up to 0.05%.

Tretinoin Cream U.S.P
Retino-A
Johnson and Johnson

Mine is cream based and I just bought 3 tubes for £30.

Big improvements in skin texture
Jawline firm and defined
Undereye bags diminished
Skin tone even
Skin not at all dry after initial settling in.
Fresh skin
My eyebrows seem lifted too
Fine lines and some depper wrinkles significantly improved. It won't help dynamic wrinkles tho
I just look more polished.

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Dustbunny1900 · 17/09/2017 18:26

I decided to do a bit more reading and think I'll give it another go..
The peeling and irritation was because I was using the strongest strength they had, and doing it nightly at first! This time I'll start with a .025 , and do it once weekly to build up tolerance. Pea size amount for whole face. Winter will be a perfect time since I get very minimal sun exposure to worry about.
But I was reading about how it's still the most tested and true anti aging treatment with solid evidence behind it ..turning 30 in a month so nothing like a little prevention eh. Think I'll give it another go
I heard alldaychemist steals your credit card number so don't use them.

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Walkingdead11 · 17/09/2017 18:45

Retino A, is it only for acne scarring? As i just want it for wrinkles!

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awishes · 17/09/2017 21:12

Good for wrinkles! But I was hoping that the collagen benefit would help with the acne scarring!

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