Starting on tretinoin - please send me your tips!

[DreamingOfSoftWhiteSand]

While on holiday in continental Europe I bought some tretinoin (0.05%) and I'd like to start using it. I've been using Retinol 0.5% in Squalane by The Ordinary every other night for over a year now with no side effects. I am planning to stop using any acid once I start on tret. In the morning I'll continue with hyluronic acid and other stuff, but no exfoliants of course, and plenty of SPF 50 as usual.

I will start using tret once a week for a month and then go up to twice a week, and gradually increase from there. Could any MNters who regularly use tret like to share their tips and tricks for a newbie, please? I am resorting to tret to address fine lines and hyperpigmentation and generally a bit of dullness now I'm 48 and perimenopausal. Thank you.

I could be wrong but I don't think you can I'm sure my mum had to stop. Best to call your salon

@BryceQuinlanTheFirst I dermaplane at home - was your mum told to stop by her salon?

Yes they said it would cause irritation but I'm not a professional so best to check online!

This sounds good and what I'd be doing if I used Tret.

I can't be bothered using loads of other products and don't think my skin would like it.

I also use www.tretinoinworld.com.

I use 0.05% every night, mixed with about a half tsp of hyaluronic acid serum all over my face and neck as it spreads well.

Which one is the best to buy? Thanks

Can anyone recommend a tretinoin cream or serum that doesn’t contain any oils? Google keeps throwing me up non oil free option. My skin won’t tolerate ANY oils annoyingly.

I don't think you can dermaplane on tret, your skin barrier would surely be destroyed?! You can't wax your face either.

If you are starting on 0.05 then you will have to go very very slowly. I would start once a week. Make sure your skin is completely dry before applying, and probably to start with try sandwiching - this is where you put moisturiser underneath, then the tret, then some on top. If you do this for a while and don't get any peeling/irritation, then you can stop the underneath layer, and then the top layer and just the tret. I can now put 0.025 on damp skin with nothing else and have no issues.

Tret is a very long game, do not expect to see results for at least 6 months, probably more like 9. And don't be tempted to go in harder with it in the hope of seeing results more quickly because that's when you will probably get irritation. Join the Tretinoin and Retinoids group on FB as well, lots of advice on there. YouTube is also really helpful (I found the videos by Hot and Flashy, and Pamepered Wolf really helpful).

It's the best product ever though, you will love it!

Thank you @Smilelesstalkmore - do I need to wait after the first layer of moisturiser? I can I apply the tret immediately after? Thank you.

I think its best to wait a couple of minutes but you don't have to wait ages. Apparently its also better to use a non-occlusive moisturiser underneath, so nothing too thick and greasy, as the tret wont really penetrate.

@DreamingOfSoftWhiteSand just saying that I eased into tret as described above and I never purged or had heavy peeling. I had slight stingy feeling around my nose, but that’s it. I have always had fine-textured skin, too. I have found that long-term use of tret and sunscreen has actually made it more resilient. (Maybe due to faster collagen production?)

This is such an interesting thread, as a newbie - on tret world which cream would you more experienced users suggest in terms of strength 0.025?

It's Tret available over the counter in Germany? And if so what is the brand name?

So I used tret last night for the first time. Clean face, moisturiser, then a pea-sized amount of tret. This morning my skin was just fine. No itchiness, no rash, nothing. Does that mean I can use it twice a week instead of just once as I was planning to, for the first month? Or is it too early to tell as it's not been 24 hours yet?

I would say it's definitely too early to tell really. You might be one of the lucky ones, but 0.05% is strong. I can't remember exactly but I think it took about 2 weeks for peeling/ irritation to start with me, and that was on the lower strength after I had been using Obagi 1% for about a year. But it's up to you - it's your face. If you want to try twice a week go for it.

Honestly, I know you want instant results (don't we all) but I would advise patience or you're just going to be disappointed, or overdo it and make your skin worse. It takes several months to see good results. Apparently, using niacinamide serum can help reduce irritation.

@Farmageddon I agree 100% - I was asking in case an adverse reaction should have shown overnight. I'll definitely stick with once a week for a month to start with. Thank you.

Apologies, I misread you. Glad to hear there was no reaction - good luck on your tret journey :-)

Just thinking maybe you could do what I wish I had done and take some before photos (just for yourself).
I know for sure there has been a great improvement in my skin tone, texture and general glow. But I don't have photos to compare from a few years ago. Ones I do have are from nights out where I'm wearing makeup etc. so it's not really a good comparison.
Anyway, it might be a good idea to take some and compare in a years time.

I was wondering... am starting to see signs of sagging etc around jaw area etc - not loads but a bit.

Can Tret help this?

which non-occlusive moisturisers are best?

To be honest, it's not going to work miracles on sagging or jowling, as far as I'm aware.
I mean it won't hurt to use it, your skin will look better (brighter, clearer, fresher etc), but you may be disappointed if you are looking for a lot of tightening in the skin. I have heard of people who have used it for several years reporting more plumpness etc, but it's not drastic.
For uplift, your best bet is fillers in the cheeks to restore some volume, which can give a slight lift to the jawline - but obviously that's not for everyone.

@Farmageddon great idea re taking pictures - maybe one a month. Will do. Thanks!

Unfortunately, the first month or two might just be pictures of yous skin looking red and peeling, so that might be offputting, but even something just to show yourself the before.

@Farmageddon thats such a good idea re taking before pictures. I’ve been using tret on and off but am planning to go for it properly now. Will take before pics, although I only have a couple of wrinkles atm

Regarding sagging, jowling I actually this this is more ageing than wrinkles. Losing weight, Facial exercise, fillers, or something like FOREO bear may help

I think I’ll restart my yoga again!

I’m not doing fillers and not that overweight either! My last resort would be a facelift.

Can you use while breastfeeding? I know you can't while pregnant