Retin A versus Retinol
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Here's some info I found about it:
Skin Care Myths and Misconceptions: Retinol vs Retin A
I've found this website to be reliable and informative. HTH!
Skin Care Myths and Misconceptions: Retinol vs Retin A
I've found this website to be reliable and informative. HTH!
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Fawnie - Thanks for the post. It is one of the clearest explanations that I have seen.
By the way, on another thread you mentioned that you are using Retin-A. Would you mind sharing what strength you are using, for how long, and what results you have seen so far?
I ask because I have been using 0.05% for 4 months now and have seen some improvement in depth of lines and wrinkles, but know that it is a long road. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks!
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Mireckca, hi!
I've been using Retin-A Micro 0.04% for about a month now. Before that I used Green Cream L3 and L6 for about 4 months. I am working my way up slowly to full strength Retin-A 1% to avoid extreme dryness and peeling.
What I've noticed:
softening of fine lines,
smoothness of texture,
fading of a large sunspot on the side of my face,
lessening of size of pores on my nose,
reduction in frequency of pimples (I used to get a whopper 1X a month).
Some ppl say that it takes about a year to realize improvement from Retin-A, but I think I see improvement now!
I use vitamin C serum also, so I think the results are synergistic.
Also a high protection sunblock and Hyaluronic acid serum.
HTH
I've been using Retin-A Micro 0.04% for about a month now. Before that I used Green Cream L3 and L6 for about 4 months. I am working my way up slowly to full strength Retin-A 1% to avoid extreme dryness and peeling.
What I've noticed:
softening of fine lines,
smoothness of texture,
fading of a large sunspot on the side of my face,
lessening of size of pores on my nose,
reduction in frequency of pimples (I used to get a whopper 1X a month).
Some ppl say that it takes about a year to realize improvement from Retin-A, but I think I see improvement now!
I use vitamin C serum also, so I think the results are synergistic.
Also a high protection sunblock and Hyaluronic acid serum.
HTH
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Thanks Fawnie. I think that they say a year because they don't want people to get impatient and to give up prematurely.
Your comments confirm for me that I need to add a vitamin C serum. I too have read that it is an important adjunct therapy. I now have a cream that contains vit C as a key ingredient, which I am using up, but now I need to move onto the real thing.
Thanks for your feedback!
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Oh! happy to share! Here's a thread about making your own C serum. It's easier than you think and so much cheaper than the ready-made that gets oxidized so easily:
For Vitamin C serum DIYers
For Vitamin C serum DIYers
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Mari, I think you probably could add the C powder directly to your cream, since lots of ready-made creams have C, but I believe it has to do with pH also. My understanding is that C serum has to have a pH of 3.5 to be any use. You might refer to the DIY thread there for more info.
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Thanks for the link. I looked at the formulations and just might try it myself. It will take me awhile to get all the fixings together, though. The more interesting ones have ingredients that are not readily available, and will have to be shipped to me (the customs folks will just love this one - I am "over the border" in Canada). I'll probably start with one of the simplier formulations.
Thank you all for such usefull information. I have been using RetinA on prescription now for about a month and must say results are fantastic, i used to have two line between eyebrows from frowning as am shortsighted, and also started to see my line from nose to mouth. All gone now. Also I have no pores anymore when i used to see them before. Although I am tough skined I do sometimes have a slight peeling so I can imagine sentitive skins would have to build up much much more slowly. But I am convinced by the results - and my purse is much better off as well!
I now have to try the vitamin C in conjuction - thank you so much for the tip had no idea about that!
Severine
I now have to try the vitamin C in conjuction - thank you so much for the tip had no idea about that!
Severine
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Severine - wow! Congratulations on the positive results. Could I ask you what strength of Retin-A are you using? I have been using the 0.05% strength for four months now, and the results are coming along but slowly. It is encouraging to hear of your success.
Mirekca I think yours is twice the strengh of mine! Unless the chemical formulation is different I dont know how you can tolerate it! I just put mine on - as everyday, once a day, and today it really burnt. As I said I have a really tough skin so will be ok with it but it is really stong. It is Tretinoingel 0.025%. Can it be compared to yours?
Thanks Fawnie for great advice and compliment
Avatar is me ) Is this your eye?
Thanks Fawnie for great advice and compliment
Avatar is me ) Is this your eye?
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Severine - the products are comparable, and yes, the 0.05% strength is very harsh on my skin. I am fair skinned, but the wrinkles and lines that I am targeting require an aggressive approach. I have been using the cream product, but I believe that the "micro" formulation (which I believe Fawnie said she was using) is better tolerated, and so I may try to switch over at some point.
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Severine - the concentration of Retin-A actually ranges from 0.01% to 0.1%, at least in the US and Canada. The doctor will sometimes prescribe a lower strength and adjust it upward depending on the patient's response. There is a "micro" gel form that is better tolerated than the cream that I have. Maybe I will try to switch over at some point. Do a search on "tretinoin" which is the generic name of the drug for more info. All the best to you.
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I buy mine online @ CanadaDrugSuperStore.com. I don't have prescription plan with my insurance that covers Retin-A, so I always look for the best deal. Another place ppl buy it is AllDayChemist.com, but beware using your credit card there (get a one-time credit card available in supermarkets). InHousePharmacy.com is another I've heard of.
Any other good online pharmacies???
Any other good online pharmacies???
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