Using Tret long term?

[FailedNoSpend2024Already]

I’ve been using Tret for about 2 years. I can say, my skin looks brilliant. It looks almost translucent and like I’ve got foundation on.

I’m a bit worried though. I’m not a vigilant SPF user, and a few recent comments from beauty clinics have got me worried. My SPF is largely in my moisturiser, although I did buy one from Charlotte Tilbury I’ve started to use more.

I had one of those face scans and was told I had a lot of sun damage, even though a few years before I was told my skin sun damage was minimal. Could 2 years of Tret done this? I did sit in the sun (with factor 50 on my face) on holiday last year.

Another comment was about how tret thins your skin, which I can see when I’ve had my eyebrows waxed. I’ve been told I can’t use it and have certain facials. My clinic beautician was a big hmmmm about the product.

So, it looks great now, but is there any evidence of long term damage from using tret?

Ok, the skin thinning is a myth rooted in some truth. The skin thins temporarily by sloughing off dead skin cells of the outer layer of the skin, this is a good thing and gives you that great looking healthy skin. With overall long term use the dermis actually thickens as Tretinoin encourages collagen production. So please disregard the thinning skin myth.

But please don't disregard the SPF anymore. Unfortunately, yes, your lack of SPF use will likely have caused some damage. That outer layer of dead skin cells is a natural protection of that healthy looking skin underneath so without it you are more photosensitive. So that's the bad news, the good news is that with proper and diligent SPF use the damage is reversible with the use of Tretinoin. Stand alone SPF50 every day, the right amount (draw a line of SPF on your index and middle finger, apply, and repeat for an additional layer) year round and top up every 2 hours of prolonged outdoor exposure. Keep out of the sun as much as possible and invest in a good wide brimmed hat.

Edit, also you should not be getting eyebrows waxed when you use Tretinoin as it can do serious damage. Your beautician is really negligent if she proceeds to do so when she knows you're using Tretinoin.

I didn’t know that about eyebrows @botemp - is threading out too or is it because waxing takes off the skin?
I also think I’m diligent with spf 50, but I use about half what you’ve said - noted to put on more!

If you're not going through a bottle (50ml) of sunscreen a month you're likely not using enough. I should probably add, I use Japanese sunscreens that have a dispense system that's on the thinner side, for a thicker cream aim for a really fat hazelnuts worth.

Threading should be fine as it doesn't affect the skin directly, with waxing you run the risk of pulling skin off, it's painful and not pretty.

Amazing - thank you

Should we be using sun cream, or will a high SPF moisturiser be OK? I hate sun cream on my face.

botemp,

Would you mind sharing your Japanese SPF brand. One of the reasons I’ve not been on it is that sun lotion brings me out in spots

I use a spray pad from body shop (probably should stock up!) goes on over make up

Yes, 4inthecorner, you need a proper sunscreen, not in a moisturiser, makeup or facial spray (those can work as a top up but not as primary sunscreen) you'll never get the amount necessary on with those products. There are nice facial ones out there that aren't a pain to use, the downside is usually the price and as it's a monthly cost that can be a barrier for some.

OP, I like the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel SPF50+ PA++++ and Nivea UV Super Water Gel SPF50 PA+++, usually in the 140g version as that has a handy pump which ensures my OH actually uses it. I'd probably suggest you avoid the Nivea one as it has a lower PA+ rating which is about the UVA rays protection, since you've already got damage it's probably best to invest in maximum protection. I also really like the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++ and Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++ which are Korean as opposed to Japanese.

Thanks so much botemp

Seconding the beauty of Joseon rice probiotic sunscreen. It’s so light so if you don’t like the feel of sunscreen it’s great. I’m susceptible to spots and it doesn’t break me out. I use in place of moisturiser as it’s just too much for my skin to layer so much product. I can’t comment on long term tret use, I’ve been using for a year properly (on and off prior to that).

I second the advice about using a proper sunscreen not just an SPF moisturiser. I would only ever rely on the latter on a cloudy winter day and I’m staying in the house all day.

I have my eyebrows done with hot wax rather than strip wax as it grips the hair not the skin. No issues at all, been using Tret a few years now.

This is all so great to hear. I do hope I can improve my sun damage. It must be under the skin, as I actually don't have many wrinkles at all and I am in my mid 50's. I just hope I don't wake up in a couple of years time and have aged 20 years with skin nasties and pigmentation.

I'm so glad I started this thread. I was really worried that Tret is great short term, but I'll pay for it later. Seems not, so long as I slap on the SPF.

I did try the Anthelios by La Roche Posay but even that felt like I was slapping on Soltan sun cream on my face. I am going to buy some of the Japanese and Korean brands.

I have another Q. If you use Tret, are you allowed to use red/ blue light face machines. I don't have one, and I have not done it yet. I plan on having facials this year, instead of buying clothes. I've decided to invest in the décolletage up this year, rather than on more clothes I wont wear.

There isn't any indication red or blue led light is unsafe ATM. When you get it done professionally they usually apply a high antioxidant serum to minimise any potential damage (the benefits of led light therapy massively outweigh this minimal potential damage). The home devices are likely not strong enough to be damaging to require such additional measures but I know some do prefer to use a serum with their at home mask for ease of mind.

I would be wary with blue led if I were you with the lurking sun damage, as it can trigger pigmentation and it's really only for minimising acne so assuming you're not struggling with that it's wasted on you anyhow.

Great thread..
Can someone recommend a good tretinon to start with? I'm mid 40s and want to start using but not sure where to start!

I use Skin & Me

Skin and Me is great.

Thanks!

Thanks for this thread! Very informative

botemp, are you a professional in the industry? You certainly know your onions.

I don't feel Tret has been explained to us properly by the companies who sell us these things.

I get loads of compliments on my skin and I am 54 - which was recently described as 'flawless' by colleagues, which was lovely.

I have been using a tretinoin formula from Dermatica for nearly 2 years but I am also diligent about applying sunscreen (I even do so when indoors as UVA filters through windows). I started off on 0.5% but can now tolerate 1%.

Link to my referral code below if anyone is interested. Gives you a good discount - £2.90 total cost for the first month, then £10 off the second month.

https://www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/4N98N5

OP, no, not at all, I'm a longtime contributor to the Fantastic Skincare threads on here that are dormant for the most part now as most of us have our routine down and don't change much about it.

It's definitely different to when those threads started, as Tret was something most didn't have access to. I was happy to see the telemedicine services come in to make it more accessible but I do question how well they message and supervise everything. Not that dermatologist's are necessarily always better at this but with the icentivised peer to peer referrals I think for too many the perception is that it's just another cream when it's a medication that does require some education.