Retin-A micro and skin burn

[benvonwojo]

Hello everyone. Just wondering whether anyone had any experience using Retin-A. I am 37 yo and very fair-skinned. I originally went to dermatologist with rosacea which has cleared up considerably. She said I could be happy with that or she could help me improve further. I tried Retin-A for 4 days at the lowest dose and my skin burned badly after 4 days, started to peel and turned bright red. Needless, to say I stopped using it and my skin is better after 2 days and possibly even better than before I started. Im still peeling and red so its difficult to see.

So, my question is what do y'all think about Retin-A?

 

[Maximus]

I use it off & on for clogged pores. When I start using it after a break I start very slowly & use it once every day or two for a week, then increase the usage. It's something you have to build resistance to, and also it makes your skin very sensitive to UV light & dry weather, which will cause burning.

 

[candi]

I had the same experience with burning using Retin-A micro. I can't believe they tell people to use it every day but that's what I was told. I had better results when I used it only once a week and then fabulous results when I switched to Renova. Renova is Retin-A with a moisturizer built in. I now use Renova once a week or every other week when the weather is dry.

If you are planning to be in sunlight, you must use heavy duty SPF to protect your skin--especially when using Rentin-A.


Edited to say, once that layer of skin has peeled off, you will be extremely pleased with the way your skin looks

 

[wutherhi]

I use it in spots for cystic acne, which it clears up in a day or two vs. weeks otherwise, but it burns my skin badly if I use it all over.

Shari

 

[Jcrew3082]

Hi Suzanne,

I used Differin a while back which is similar. I have oilier skin, and it dried me out and burned very much for a good two weeks. In fact, the spot where my ear lobes meet my face actually bled. Unfortunately, these Rx products can take three months or more to see real results. If you really want to use it, try beginning with once every other day and put a heavy moisturizer on top. Or, you could mix a drop in with some aloe or moisturizer to dilute it. Also, don't forget the sunscreen.

Skin perfection is almost impossible. If your rosacea has cleared up a lot, you might want to think about just sticking with whatever routine helped accomplish that.

There's a website I visit frequently called Makeup Alley. You can register for free and ask your question on the skincare board or search the board for "retin a". Either way, I am sure you will find a lot of helpful informaiton from real people.

http://www.makeupalley.com/board/

Hope that helps!

 

[kelley111]

I use Natural Advantage skin care. I saw it on an infomercial and decided to try it. I've now been using it for about a year and I love it. It uses Retinol. I started out using it every 2-3 nights because of a burning sensation, but now I use it nightly with no adverse reactions. It is a 3-piece system that includes a cleanser for night and morning, the Nighttime Renewal Complex for night, and a moisturizer for daytime. Over the last year I have stopped using it several times to try other products, and I always notice a considerable difference in my skin when I stop it. I know the website has been down for reconstruction while they are remodeling for the new year, but hopefully will be back up soon.

 

[benvonwojo]

Thanks to everyone for the replys about Retin-A. I will try once per week. That somehow seems much more reasonable than once per day. You'd have have to have leather for skin to tolerate that. I use a moisturizer with sunscreen in it mixed in with the Rein-A. At least the dermatologist recommended that.
Oh, just an aside in case anyone cares to know: Vitamin A degrades very easily in pH's in the neutral or alkaline range. Also, it is very light sensitive and degrades easily in light. So your skin isnt what is light sensitive during treatment but the treatment itself. Unless, of course your skin burns during the treatment, then both are. Anyway...thanks again for all the advice.

 

[waterlily]

I know exactly what you are going through. I am currently using Retin A and experiencing the same problems. I am 28 and my skin looks like I am sixty. To make everthing worse, I still have not received any results from it. My face is just blotchy as hell. I had better results using differin gel, but not for any prolonged period of time. What are you using to combat your problem?

 

[benvonwojo]

Obviously I stopped using Retin-A since it burned the hell out of my poor skin. I wash my face with a shea butter/goats milk soap (very mild and doesnt ever burn). I also wear moisturizer with sunscreen everyday. When my skin is finally healed i will try everyones advice and use retin-a once per week. The redness and peeling is clearing up and my skin does feel smoother and looks and feels clearer. Dont get discouraged and have patience! I spent 6 months on antibiotics and cream before i was even ready for retin-a. Your/My skin wont heal overnight, but it will get better with time.

 

[btb]

Suzanne,
When you start up again, use a very, very small amount. (Most people tend to use too much.) Wait at least 10 minutes before applying after washing your face. Also, you might try mixing two parts moisturizer to one part Retin A. Are you still on an antibiotic? That can also make your face more sensitive.

 

[midnight]

My dermatologist told me to apply it every other day and there would be no compromise in effectivness. It seemed not to be as harsh then.

Unfortunately it didn't work and I have been taking Accutane which works amazingly well for me (cystic acne). However, even though I do not plan to have any more children and my DH has been "fixed", I have to take a pregnancy test every month as it can cause severe birth defects as well as affect the liver and other body systems. It's toxic. I have had no side affects myself, and it has been used only as a last resort, when all other options have failed. My skin looks fabulous but I will go off it soon because it is not prescribed long-term. Then probably back to topical Retin-A for me. Keep your fingers crossed.


"Don't forget to breathe!"