Retin A uglies

[angenoir]

Ladies

I have battled acne all my life.

My dermatologist recently prescribed Retin A. I can already see almost no breakouts which is great but at the same time, I am also experiencing some really dry patches, and peeling, and just different shades of skin.:ohwell::sad:
Some parts of my skin already look really good but some are just crazy looking:perplexed

Ladies who have used Retin A, please tell me, should I put up with the uglies? Does it get better? Do this dry patches and all eventually peel off and reveal great skin beneath?

HELP!!

PS: I have acne prone oily skin and a daily moisturizer I use a Clinique Moisturizer with SPF 25 and its quite good.

[lamaravilla]

Yes it gets better!!!! Don't stop using it unless you have skin irritation. The peeling is normal, think of it like it's resurfacing your skin lol. I used it on my inner thighs for discoloration, and the peeling was horrible, I would sit in the tub and peel so much skin off it was gross, as if I was a snake shedding skin :lachen:. But now the skin is so soft and smooth and beautiful.

If you are using it during the day that can also aggravate an adverse reaction to it and increase the peeling due to sun exposure, so I would recommend using it only at night time.

[lilsparkle825]

it gets much better. my oily skin got SUPER DUPER oily for about a month during the initial stage of my treatment, and between that and the peeling i didn't think i would be able to hold out. (honestly, without the RAM support threads/blogs on acne.org, i would have given up.) however, about 3 months in it got better, then i had not a bump or scale on my face.

[sunshinelady]

I don't peel with it. Does that mean it isn't working?

[Supergirl]

I have heard that you should use a very tiny amount for the entire face to lessen the peeling. You will still peel, from what I hear, but not crazily.

[lamaravilla]

I don't peel with it. Does that mean it isn't working?

No, it could just mean that you skin isn't as sensitive to it, or you could be using a less concentrated formula. I was using 1% retin a micro, a lot of people get prescribed the .4%.

[angenoir]

Thanks for the responses! I have been using it about 2.5 weeks now and its a stronger concentration. The dermatologist said to only use it at night and during the day I wear a good moisturizer with sunscreen.

No irritation so I will stick with the treattmen, apply a small amount each night and sit tight for gorgeous skin :-)

[DigitalRain]

Use a light oil free moisturizer and then apply your Retin A a few minutes later at night. Really helps with the peeling and dryness.

[angenoir]

Sorry to bump this thread but I just have one more question...

I have gone through two weeks of uglies... very bad... and now it seems to have subsided. My skin is smoother, no breakouts and peeling.... Upside is the dark spots seems to be fading nad peelign right off...

now my question is: Did any of you experience a slightly darker shade of skin? Right now my whole face looks about a shade darker than normal.... which I find weird. In one patch I can see my usual colour of skin underneath but there seems to be a slightly darker shade overall. Should I expect this to peel off to the normal shade?

I use a moisturizer day and night with SPF 25 and in any case I am very rarely outside in the sun.

[almond eyes]

With Retin-A, any sun will cause the skin to go through hyperpigmentation. The only solution is to avoid hanging out in the strong sun unless wearing a broad rimmed sun hat.

My derm told me that people with oily skin do not find sunscreen very effective anyhow.

I have been using Retin-A since 1993 and its a great product but I have learnt only recently since living in Africa more frequently than being in the States that the sun is a big no-no for hyperpigmentation. No, the skin does not peel off to even out. I asked my derm what to do and she said nothing except keep your facial skin out of the sun. But remember ladies, we need some sun to prevent vitamin D deficiencies.

And its really frustrating that people point out to me that my skin is clear (no pimples) but uneven.

Best,
Almond Eyes

[sunshinelady]

With Retin-A, any sun will cause the skin to go through hyperpigmentation. The only solution is to avoid hanging out in the strong sun unless wearing a broad rimmed sun hat.

My derm told me that people with oily skin do not find sunscreen very effective anyhow.

I have been using Retin-A since 1993 and its a great product but I have learnt only recently since living in Africa more frequently than being in the States that the sun is a big no-no for hyperpigmentation. No, the skin does not peel off to even out. I asked my derm what to do and she said nothing except keep your facial skin out of the sun. But remember ladies, we need some sun to prevent vitamin D deficiencies.

And its really frustrating that people point out to me that my skin is clear (no pimples) but uneven.

Best,
Almond Eyes

Try Bare Minerals Matte makeup, it has an SPF.

[angenoir]

Thanks. I will try a stronger SPF and continue to stay completely out of the sun. Sigh!

[almond eyes]

If you will stay completely out of the sun make sure to take vitamin D.

Best,
Almond Eyes

[lamaravilla]

I live in Florida, and I haven't experienced any hyper pigmentation when using the Retin-A. Then again I use an SPF 50, and I reapply at least 3 times throughout the day, so maybe that makes a difference. Also are you exfoliating on a regular basis?

[Sugar]

Yes it gets better!!!! Don't stop using it unless you have skin irritation. The peeling is normal, think of it like it's resurfacing your skin lol. I used it on my inner thighs for discoloration, and the peeling was horrible, I would sit in the tub and peel so much skin off it was gross, as if I was a snake shedding skin :lachen:. But now the skin is so soft and smooth and beautiful.

If you are using it during the day that can also aggravate an adverse reaction to it and increase the peeling due to sun exposure, so I would recommend using it only at night time.

Wow I didn't know you could use it somewhere other than your face. That's great info!