Tretinoin advice please!

[Ismashedmychanel]

I have been using tret from dermatica since January (started 0.025% now 0.05%). I had the usually red/peeling skin for a couple of weeks then things got better.

My skin is smoother and my pores are teeny compared to what they were so I’m really happy with this. However, in the last couple of weeks I have noticed darker patches of skin pop up on my forehead. They are not that noticeable but I’m concerned.

I also went out today and it was sunny. I was in the sun for an hour max (not directly - often shaded) and have caught the sun a little despite having applied factor 50 twice before hand. There is a little peeling on my face now and I’m worried I could be doing damage to my skin.

I have contacted dermatica - they want to change my formula to add hydroquinone. This is to get rid of the new dark patches but I’m now concerned that being in the sun has had that effect on me. I apply factor 50 (checked they were happy with the brand I am using first) every morning and then again later if sunny/after exercise/sweating etc.

It would be such a shame to stop now when I’m seeing such great results but I really don’t want to damage my skin so any advice would be really appreciated!

Bump

Tretinoin makes the skin more sensitive to the sun so its best to avoid it whilst using this. You need lots of factor 50 and a hat!

I suffer with pigmentation and use hydroquinone with tret, that is the best combo to fade the patch so hopefully it will work for you.

Thanks for the reply! Yes I have been using lots of factor 50.

So does this mean just no going out in the sun while using this? I’ve read that lots of people use tret long term - are they really all prepared to just stop going in the sun? I thought it was ok as long as using a good spf.

May need to re think this as I’m not sure it’s going to be worth it for me.

I think it’s probably partly that your skin is still adjusting, three months isn’t all that long with tretinoin. I can go out in the sun (with SPF 50) without such immediate effects. But since all sun tanning is effectively skin damage, it is quite counterproductive to spend time in the sun. A hat is a very good idea, or a parasol.

Came on to ask same question. I'm a year in. I have melasma on my cheeks so have hydroquinone added in every few months but I have noticed this week I have new patches on my forhead and around my eyes and I am nervous now. I wear a hat, factor 50, and it has only been 19 degrees so far.

Wondering whether to stop.

I apply two layers of sunscreen instead of one thick layer. I also cut down tret when it's sunny, but use every day autumn/winter. Seems to work.

Athenawhite - I’m thinking I might do this. It’s worked well through winter maybe best to scale it back when the suns out.

Thanks for the replies everyone! Will definitely try two applications of sunscreen

Did you contact Dermatcia? I've submitted photos on my new melasma today to see what they say. I've stopped using it for now.

I used tret (Skin and Me) for around 6 months and had to stop as my skin was just awful - so dry that I looked haggard and my makeup wouldn't absorb and I too developed pigmentation. I honestly think these companies are kind of dangerous - prescribing strong ingredients like that over the internet. I thought it was great at first but I wish I'd never gone near it now. One of the prescribers actually said to me "We'll take tret out of your formula for now and try it again when the weather is warmer" er what?? I ended up just cancelling.

You need to be reapplying your factor 50, especially if you’ve touched your face or where sunglasses have rubbed, etc. I’m using tret, reapply factor 50 every couple of hours if I’m out in direct sun, I.E. gardening all day, and wear big sunglasses for day to day driving/out and about if there’s sun in the sky, and a hat if as well if UV index is above 4 or thereabouts and I’m likely to be out in the peak of it.

I have found Bioderma Sebium Hydra to be a great moisturiser to use with Tret. Get through quite a bit of it, but any dry patches are gone the next day. If I get an redness or stinging when applying my Skin + Me I just skip a day and then go back to it the following day.

I did get two tiny red patches (size of a 20p) on the high points of my cheeks last week when I’d been in the garden painting a fence, I think my sunglasses had rubbed my SPF off, I skipped my Tret for two days, they’ve settled and I’m back to normal now.

I would say maybe your skin barrier is a bit vulnerable. Keep upping the hydration and moisturise through the day and really go hard on the Spf. I use a thick coat. I also like to wear a big hat but appreciate not everyone might like this style.

I don't think it means you can never go in the sun, just early days and your skin is adjusting.

I've had my response back from Dermatica, which says I am on the best treatment for Melasma and to wear a factor 30 or higher. I wear factor 50 and reapply, but it isn't mineral. They said I need to let them know if I want Tret removed. I didn't really find it very helpful.

Would only using the formula a few times a week help? And can anyone offer advice on a mineral sunscreen? I was thinking of applying it directly to the melasma.

Which sunscreen do you use? Ensure it has a good UVA rating (4+) and is purchased from a reputable retailer (Amazon can and do sometimes sell fakes). I purchased some Biore UV Watery Essence last year, used it and developed dark patches quite quickly - turns out the UVA rating is not as high as stated (or it was a fake).

Added to the other advice above, and wearing a UVA protective hat, are all good precautions.

I find it hard to see the UVA ratings. Used Heliocare factor 50 and just switched to Euerucin pigment control factor 50.

I'm pale and use tret autumn/winter only. I use the 0.1 then as don't have sensitive skin, but if I used it in the summer I'd be paranoid about sun damage undoing my work.

In my case the dark patches were old sun damage being brought to the surface. They got worse before they got better but they eventually faded away.