I have been using retin a 0.25% on the recommendation of some of the users here (particularly Paheli) for around 3 weeks now and my skin has just been getting worse and worse, I’ve not seen any improvement whatsoever and everyday I wake up with about a dozen new spots!! Okay maybe not a dozen but at least two three new ones!! My brothers getting married soon and I really need my skin to clear up by then please could u guys provide me with some tips, is this normal? I am considering not using it any more but at the same time I feel like I’m giving up too soon,
wow, u shud never take such medication without doc's consultion first. every skin has a diff requirement so what may work for one person, even if with same skin condition, may not do for the other.
Wait for Paheli, as she knows the most about this.
If you're worried, I'd stop using it for now and make sure you moisturise twice a day with rosehip oil and make sure you continue to wear sunscreen at all times for a few months yet.
Just because I am sure it will help her. What was your routine? How many times per week? For how long? What did you moisturise with afterwards? What other products have you been using?
Wait for Paheli, as she knows the most about this.
If you're worried, I'd stop using it for now and make sure you moisturise twice a day with rosehip oil and make sure you continue to wear sunscreen at all times for a few months yet.
Just because I am sure it will help her. What was your routine? How many times per week? For how long? How did you take it off? What did you moisturise with afterwards? What other products have you been using?
I've been using it around 4 times in a week at night, and moisturising twice a day using one that contains argan oil, u say how do I take it off??I haven't been taking it off just applying at night and then washing my face as usual in the morning.
Did u experience any problems like this when you first started using it?
Although not every single person experiences this......But yes it's common. It's usually referred to as "purging". Skin gets worse before it gets better.
Are you using the cream or gel version? Personally I use cream. The gel is too strong for me. However....there are people whose skin react better with the gel. The cream breaks them out. Everyone's skin is different. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.
When is your brother's wedding? 3 Weeks so far....I'd say you should use it at least 5-6 more weeks before giving up. My personaly rule of thumb with any skin care items is to try it for 6-8 weeks to see if I get results.....I only give up before then if I'm having serious negative reactions to it (ie. allergic reactions). Depending on when the wedding is.....you also have the option of stopping the RA now. And the re-starting it after the wedding.
4x/week is relatively high dosage for a beginner. Aside from the breakouts....is your skin flaky or extra dry? Does it seem irritated? I will wait to see your response to this BUT another option is to decrease the usage to 1-2x/week and see how the skin reacts.
Isn't 0.25% too high for a beginner Retin-A? I remember I started off with 0.04% and I had the MOST painful skin in the first 10 days. It would hurt to sleep and I def. had a purging stage where I got cystic acne on my chin and my skin was peel-y and looked like I had a rash. I also used it once every other night and finally after 20+ days of using it I finally noticed a huge difference in my skin. Now I can use it every night and it's fine. I will try using a cream next time as opposed to a gel but I always use a soothing oil like almond oil and I SPF is a must. My mom got sunburnt because she thought she didn't need SPF when going out if the sun was down. NOT THE CASE AT ALL. If you don't need a flash light to go outside, you need to have SPF on, esp. when using Retin-A!
There is definitely a purging period. I have used Retin A before and started using it again after two years just a week ago.
Right now, my skin is super dry, peeling and going through a complete change. Ive seen this before too so I am not that worried about it. You have to get through it somehow and once you do...the results start to appear slowly but surely.
Gawd I hope OP mistyped and actually meant .025%! :) I don't think it even comes in .25%! The highest is .1% as far as I know. Someone please correct me if they've seen this sold at a higher %.
@ Paheli, the wedding is in mid July, the only thing is I'm going to Pakistan in June and my skin tends to become sensitive possibly due to heat etc so I was considering not taking the it with me, I am currently using the cream as I've heard the gel is stronger so thought I should start off with the lighter version,
I don't mind using the cream for another few weeks as long as I get results in the end, I was just really disappointed after reading all the reviews on retin a and maybe I just wasn't expecting it to get worse first!
I really hope it does start showing results soon though, as for now I think I'll drop down to using it twice a week.
Anyone else had the same issue with skin getting worse and then better? If so how long did the whole process take, is it worth sticking to for a few more weeks without losing hope?
There is definitely a purging period. I have used Retin A before and started using it again after two years just a week ago.
Right now, my skin is super dry, peeling and going through a complete change. Ive seen this before too so I am not that worried about it. You have to get through it somehow and once you do...the results start to appear slowly but surely.
Reha, u say u went through a similar "purging" period, how long did u have to wait before your skin really started to improve?
Farha, you are going to need a really high spf and prob hat and sunglasses when you go to Pak.
My electrologist recommends retin-A for some of her clients and since the condition of the skin is really important in her work, she recommends that you need to be careful about sun exposure for upto 3 months after using retin-A as your skin will still be sensitive.
Farha, you are going to need a really high spf and prob hat and sunglasses when you go to Pak.
My electrologist recommends retin-A for some of her clients and since the condition of the skin is really important in her work, she recommends that you need to be careful about sun exposure for upto 3 months after using retin-A as your skin will still be sensitive.
Yes I'll be using spf50 but a hat??I don't want to be walking around in the bazaars of Pak with a hat on! Is it really that necessary?
I would stop. Seriously, sun exposure during and after retin-a use is just going to speed up skin damage. I assume you will shop and stuff and it's not like you can just go car to mall.
@ Farha: If you're going to be outside in the sun (especially in the summer) for longer than 5-10 minutes...and you're not willing to wear sunglasses and a wide brim hat.....then you should not use Retin A (this applies whether you're in Pakistan or another country). The damage that sun exposure will cause to your skin makes using the RA completely pointless. In this case, you're better off not using it at all.