Avene RetrinAL 0.1

[greenspaces4peace]

i'm about to try this product out.
i've tested it on my forearm with zero issues.
what's the next step?
and can i get my upper lip waxed while using this product and if not how many days between using this and waxing?

Behind the ear is a better place to patch test than forearm. Try it on the face 1-2x a week and work up gradually to whatever frequency works best for you.

General rule is not to wax your face when using retinoids, and it's a bit useless to stop and start for the sake of waxing as you'll have to wait weeks before and after. You might be okay with retinal as it's not that heavy duty irritating but I personally wouldn't risk it. Would warn that using retinoids does make it feel like you're suddenly hairier, the exfoliating character of the product means a lot of hairs come through quicker than they'd otherwise do. It'll normalise again after a few cycles.

thank you @botemp so plucking it is!
next series of thoughts and questions; i'm 65 my skin is well weathered and so far the vit C, lactic acid's and other products are simply like putting on moisturizer. they on the surface appear to do very little (actually the lactic acid made an overnight difference textrure wise) but no redness no purging (mind you at 65 i would not expect anything to crop up).
i'm not sure what i expect from the added skin care. i am hoping to fade some solar spots and maybe hold back the inevitable wrinkles and maintain firmness.

It somewhat depends on the products you're using, if you use the most effectively formulated products for performance you're more likely to see differences and/or irritation quicker. Lactic acid, retinal, etc. tend to be on the gentle side, as much as active skincare can be gentle anyhow, so results will be less instantly noticeable as they take a bit longer to deliver the same results with the upside being less irritation.

For sun spots it might be worth looking into Kojic acid products.