ggirl - that retin a cream from the dodgy site

[faustina]

WOW. and thank you! It's amazing - made a really really huge difference and I've only used it five or six times. So grateful to you!

perry how long have you been using it, and what kind of results are you getting?

quinn I have broken capillaries (I think it's part of having rosacea). It hasn't made them any worse. I have only been using it for a week though

I just had a look on amazon and there are LOADS of different kinds of retin a/tretinoin. The one I'm using is 0.5% - most of the amazon ones seem to be a lower percentage

I use this one
I have been for about 4 weeks

It seems to be widely prescribed to people for anti-ageing in the US.
I fisrt read about it being routinely uesd on the Oprah site...yes I am that sad

there was an article about what you should be doing for your skin at certain ages

retin a was something you should be using in your 40's.

It has def helped with my number 11's .

My dd slapped some on her chin where she had some hormonal spots and they were gone in a few days....obviously only temporary but still she was pleased.

I would recommend googling and researching before slapping it on as faust has done. If you use too much it may make you red and dry. You need to build up usage.
I have thread veins but don't think it has improved them at all.
It has made my skin smoother and generally better. .

Can I suggest you come clean to your GP and politely ask if she will prescribe. You might be surprised and it takes the risk of buying online and knowing if it is genuine and in date etc out of it. I've been using this on and off for 20 years first for spots and more recently for wrinkles, I just kept asking for a repeat then changed GP's then came clean and asked if he would still prescribe (he did) I happen to know some GP's do the same with this product for their own skin so it was no surprise to him.

Oh please don't use if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Tretinoin/retinol is the active ingredient, same as Retin-A. Also it might not be dry peeling in the first few days but it likely will if this is the real deal, switch to every other day until your skin gets used to it. If needed use a heavy moisturiser to help your skin recover in between.

I asked my gp. He said in no way would he be wasting NHS money for minimal cosmetic benefit
He suggested seeing a private dermatologist

Be nice if he had another view but it does seem wrong when I consider it

I use it 30 mins after cleansing toning
Dry face v important
First two weeks every other night
Next week two nights on one off
Next week every night
I use a very small amount but also use an aha or BHA.

Also I use sunblock all the time
Really

Ooooh that's not far from me.

yes, I think it would be wrong too. I don't want to take up my gp's time, or use nhs money to subsidise this. No idea how you'd find a private dermatologist - anyone know?

I used to have retin a prescription for acne but they only have the gel which has alcohol in and irritates a lot. Now I use skinceuticals retinol 0.3% which is much better for me. More expensive though!

Just to say my comments about discussing with your GP were to keep you safe not save you money. That is if the alternative is buying something you are not 100% of, I would not risk buying online myself unless the product could somehow be verified. In any case if you end up damaging your skin, the NHS will no doubt be the first port of call. I into ripping off the NHS, my husband works in primary care. I do get it on prescription, and always have, it always was for reasons of vanity (problem skin for many years but the 'side effect' being younger skin which saw me persist with it for for different albeit still vain reasons). I happen to know the list price makes it a very low cost item and a tube lasts me all year, personally I feel OK about continuing to use it.

Ideally yes see a dermatologist and get all the correct advice. I was first prescribed this by a dermatologist, it has its risks (photosensitive skin,concerns around birth defects) so best to get the right advice from an expert and the correct concentration for you. You can't go in the sun if using it, personally I don't use it in the summer, not because I sunbathe. The rest of the year I would use factor 50 in the day.

..ah I meant I'm not advocating or into ripping off the NHS, husband works in primary care, I pay my stamp and I have the whole family covered privately through my job. So in my situation I feel OK about it, sorry if my suggestion to seek out you GP that came across wrong, I appreciate some may be uncomfortable, of course ...But please think twice about using dodgy sites any prescription only items.

Coconutty, yes a dry face, instructions were once to wait 30 mins after washing with a mild soap

I have used it for several years, face, neck, around eyes and in creases (deep wrinkles) ie all over face and neck.
I had to build up to using due to dryness and peeling but it works like magic to heal wrinkled/sun damaged skin.
I buy mine on trips to Asia from pharmacists.

Oh and I'm 54 so a good subject to experiment on! I was just thinking this morning that I should have taken 'before and after' pics, because the results are truely miraculous !

Coo. I'm interested

In the article I'm reading, because now of course ,I'm OBSESSED with it ,it says 0.025% is for general skin improvement, 0.05% for anti ageing and 0.1% for strongest skin needs acne, etc

I'm gonna get me some of that 0.05% I reckon

Yes it heals the wrinkles as it acts on the skins underlying structure. It takes about a year of daily use to act on this level though. It does not heal broken capillaries though.

It takes about 12 to 18 months to see improvement on wrinkles, so have patience.
Have to say, I'd be slow to buy off the Internet. It is potent, took me ages as in months, to get used to it. Def a proven wrinkle treatment tho. And use SPF 50 with it.

I'm using 0.5 BTW.

It's £3 a 1gm tube in Sri Lanka!