Tretinoin 0.006 - I think I can see an improvement already!! (Pic)

[menohnopausal]

I've been using skin + me for the last month, and am on an incredibly low dose of tret (0.006), but I think I can see an improvement!! My skin has been feeling softer and more "elastic" somehow (although I thought that might be due to slathering in moisturiser to soothe the dryness I experienced for a couple of weeks). I feel like my face just looks a bit brighter. I took a pic before starting and another one a couple of days ago. I've put them together and I think I can see a little softening of my (intense) frown lines. I'm so pleased! Can you see it too? (first pic on the left, new pic on the right). I'm annoyed that I didn't get the lighting the same, so I look more pink in the recent photo.

I'm glad to hear you're getting compliments! My DD (15) also complimented me on my skin the other day. She said it was looking like glass skin (I think this is a Korean beauty thing?). A significant exaggeration - my skin is far from glass-like, but a definite indicator of externally visible progress!

Latest photo updates attached!

How is everyone getting on with this now? I'm coming to the end of month four, I think, and it feels like my spots are getting worse again.... Now on tret 0.015, niacinamide 4%, azaleic acid 4%.
Not sure if it's just the tret strength increasing so i'm getting a delayed purge (didn't get anything at the start when i was on 0.006), or something else isn't agreeing with my skin. It also feels a bit lumpy in certain places. Only other thing that has changed is the move from clindamycin to niacinamide - could it be that?

Try to talk to your derm to increase the strength of the tret as I feel its too low

What were you on before? I am prescribed this and it’s working really well.

I’m on a very similar dosage with the same ingredients as yours. I did have a second purge as they call it when my dosage went up a bit but I stuck with it and now my skins back on track and I’m loving it again. Apparently the purging is your skin getting used to the new speed of regeneration, so it’s a good sign as long as it doesn’t go on too long, in which case I believe you can lower your tret dosage or start moisturiser sandwiching to stop it being so harsh. Which brand are you using?

The one downside (if you can call better skin a downside 😂) is I'm finding my make off slides off my skin now so I need to change it. I was going to try Bare Minerals powder as I used it a few years ago and loved it but they don't stock the little starter sets anymore and it's a pricy mistake if I find the wrong shade.

What make up do you use?

Funnily enough I think I have just found the answer to this! ELF Liquid putty primer. I love it. I'm not actually bothering with foundation now as my skin is looking quite even. But it keeps my blusher and concealer and eyebrows in place, and makes my skin look just the right level of matt/silky!

will try out the elf liquid putty

Will def give that a try

My nose has gone bright red, the skin around is sore too though I've tried to avoid it, am on the 0.015 tret and coming to the end of the month and I'd quite like not to go up any higher right now? Is that possible?

Don't put tret on your nose! There's absolutely no benefit and the skin is too delicate there.

@MiniCooperLover it's definitely possible if you contact them before your daily doser has been made up. Sorry to hear about your poor nose 😔.

I have been using mine around my nose, and have been getting a bit peely. What would you recommend for around the nose area?

Definitely no tret. If it's redness and spider veins, then laser/ipl/electrolysis.

@menohnopausal can I ask what you said to skin and me to get the tret? My only concern is wrinkles and lines (I’m 40) would they let me have it do you think? Also how much is it a month?

@FUBAR77 I can't exactly remember what I said. I think the questionnaire had "goals" in it, and I mentioned wrinkles / aging and skin clarity (my pores look(ed) gross!).

It costs me £25 per month for the "daily doser" (the tube of tret/azelaic acid/niacinamide formulation). I don't get any of their other extra products such as moisturiser, SPF, cleanser (you should get trial size ones in your first month, and they're good but too £££ for me).

If you use this code you get your first and fifth daily doser for £3.50, and I get £10 credit:

www.skinandme.com/?promocode=MARYL5V9N

The ordinary Salicylic acid , if open pores are a problem.

Thanks @menohnopausal will take the plunge and sort it at the weekend 🎉

How are people finding things? My skin is looking great at the minute. Has anyone used this through the summer or stopped in advance of summer? I don't lay out as such and use loads of SPF50 anyway but it's inevitable to get some sun at times and I don't want a reaction.

I was with Skin+me for several months before realising I wanted tret! (After reading this thread!) I messaged skin and me and asked for it and they gave it to me. I was with them for one pen before deciding to switch to Dermatica as they were cheaper and skin + me didn't want to offer me anymore reductions!

I'm on my second tret pen. Dermatica gave me 0.025 tret. It was rough going for a bit and I had to have a few day breaks as it was burning for a while after applying. I have got through that now though and it's going on easier. Dermatica were going to put my dose up for the next pen but I have said no and want the same dose next month. I am starting to see an improvement which I am happy about. My rosacea has reduced a lot and I feel like I look better without makeup than what I did.

I think I wasted like 6 months with skin and me without tret. You live you learn aye!

@ObsidianTree I am also now going through the rigmorale with skin and me to have them change my dosage to include tret after having rosacea treatment - how much is Derm? As I’m wondering if I should just cancel and swap.

It's usually £25 a month. If you go on the website they are offering the first month for £2.90!

I think the referral gives it to you for £2.90 and £10 off the next pen.

Try personalised skincare for just £2.90, plus £10 off your next month.

Head to www.dermatica.co.uk and checkout with code 8EG9K6
https://www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/8EG9K6

Oh also, I threatened to cancel for my next pen and they offered me 3 months at £12.50! 😁

Interestingly I've noticed that during an 'update' they give they don't easily give you the option to cancel.

Threatening works! :)