Can anyone share some Retin A information resources?
My BFF has some samples of the different types and strengths of Retin A from her MD and we were wondering about the differences and pro and cons. He is allowing her to do a trial for sensitivities before prescribing.
Definitely start with either the .025% or .05% and not .1%. It's normal to have lots of peeling and sometimes a bit of redness while your skin adjusts to the medication, but if the skin is uncomfortable then apply less frequently and/or use a weaker strength. It can be a good idea to start applying it just 3 times a week and then slowly build up to every night.
I started with the .05%, and then once my skin adjusted and looked good for a while, I bumped it up to .1% and was using it nightly. My skin was a disgusting, peeling mess for at least two weeks, but that went away and then my skin started looking really nice.
As far as the cream vs. gel, I've used both and they both work fine for me. I'm using the gel right now, and think it's a little bit easier to rub in since it has a slick/oily feeling. The cream seemed more difficult to spread around. Some people mix it with moisturizer, but my derm recommends applying it directly to the skin, waiting 20 minutes for it to soak in, and then applying moisturizer.
I think there is also a micro cream that releases the medication more slowly during the night, which can help with negative side effects. I've never tried the Retin A Micro.
Definitely start with either the .025% or .05% and not .1%. It's normal to have lots of peeling and sometimes a bit of redness while your skin adjusts to the medication, but if the skin is uncomfortable then apply less frequently and/or use a weaker strength. It can be a good idea to start applying it just 3 times a week and then slowly build up to every night.
I started with the .05%, and then once my skin adjusted and looked good for a while, I bumped it up to .1% and was using it nightly. My skin was a disgusting, peeling mess for at least two weeks, but that went away and then my skin started looking really nice.
As far as the cream vs. gel, I've used both and they both work fine for me. I'm using the gel right now, and think it's a little bit easier to rub in since it has a slick/oily feeling. The cream seemed more difficult to spread around. Some people mix it with moisturizer, but my derm recommends applying it directly to the skin, waiting 20 minutes for it to soak in, and then applying moisturizer.
I think there is also a micro cream that releases the medication more slowly during the night, which can help with negative side effects. I've never tried the Retin A Micro.
Interesting, I will pass this on. I do remember some of the samples were the Micro which is what started the confusion. The others seem to be gels of different strengths. She has oily skin, she reports that he told her that the gel was better for oily skin?
Definitely start with either the .025% or .05% and not .1%. It's normal to have lots of peeling and sometimes a bit of redness while your skin adjusts to the medication, but if the skin is uncomfortable then apply less frequently and/or use a weaker strength. It can be a good idea to start applying it just 3 times a week and then slowly build up to every night.
I started with the .05%, and then once my skin adjusted and looked good for a while, I bumped it up to .1% and was using it nightly. My skin was a disgusting, peeling mess for at least two weeks, but that went away and then my skin started looking really nice.
As far as the cream vs. gel, I've used both and they both work fine for me. I'm using the gel right now, and think it's a little bit easier to rub in since it has a slick/oily feeling. The cream seemed more difficult to spread around. Some people mix it with moisturizer, but my derm recommends applying it directly to the skin, waiting 20 minutes for it to soak in, and then applying moisturizer.
I think there is also a micro cream that releases the medication more slowly during the night, which can help with negative side effects. I've never tried the Retin A Micro.
Interesting, I will pass this on. I do remember some of the samples were the Micro which is what started the confusion. The others seem to be gels of different strengths. She has oily skin, she reports that he told her that the gel was better for oily skin?
Yeah, I've heard that gel is best for oily skin and cream is best for dry skin. I have combination skin and it doesn't seem to make any difference for me personally.