3 replies to this topic

[MagentaStraberry]

I'm pretty much completely ignorant when it comes to any kind of acne treatment, bear with me. I saw the derm my first time the other week and he was very snappy about everything, which made me uncomfortable. He pretty much took quick glances at me, asked what I have been using (nothing to be noted) and said he's prescribing retin-a. I haven't began using it but am going to soon.

For a cleansing I have been using Maleleuca Zap It! products, will this work fine with retin-a? My derm didn't say anything about it being a problem, wanted to ask a second source.

I don't break out incredibly, I get a new pimple every few days. I'm mostly dealing with getting rid of left over redness.

I'm looking into changing my dermatologist, he was too quick and impersonal for me, it was an uncomfortable situation. Are most derms like this?

[Helio]

Your derm should have told you that using that cleanser isn't recommended. It contains SA - so it can be too irritating. But try it out, if you feel your face is too irritated, I suggest a gentle cleanser.

I'm not surprised your derm prescribed Retin-A since it's so commonly prescribed, but you seem to have mild acne - I don't know if Retin-A is the right medication

My derm was really patient and personable to me - sometimes I wanted her to be more snappy

[Smokeyjay]

If your dealing with left over redness, I don't see how Retin-A will help. In fact, it might increase the level of redness because retin-a can be irritating.

I've met a bunch of derms like you've described. Eventually, if you keep searching you'll find the right one who actually cares about acne.

[Siouxsie]

What kind of redness? Do you mean redmarks, like hyperpigmentation?
Retin-a actually helps fade redmarks. It has helped my skin a lot in that way.

I suggest using a super gentle facewash and a good moisturizer. I use cetaphil and lac-hydrin five. The DKR recommended products are really good for using with a potentially drying acne topical, even if you don't use BP & do DKR.

I haven't found retin-a irritating. I use the small pea sized amount once a day as recommended to me and keep my skin well-moisturized. The first 2-3 weeks took a little adjusting (a little flaky & dry), but then I was normal again.

My derm is nice, but she is very brief and not very thorough. The one time I saw the RA he was much more personal, but the derm is the one who called the shots. I am possibly going to look for another derm too, one more focused on treating acne. She seems more into anti-aging treatments, like botox.