31 replies to this topic

[rose_88]

Oh yes. Definitely use some moisturizer to calm down the itchies and try to get one with spf because using retin-a can increase photosensitivity on the face. I'm so glad you've cleared up!

hi i m on retin.a for abiut 4 months... weeks before my skin was becoming smoother and redness and dryness was going...but i was using retin.a only on the effected area...now for 1 week i m using it on my whole face ...and now again i m facing dryness,roughness and some zits too....what should i do

[Maya2010]

This is exactly what's happened to me!
I had smooth skin my entire life (I'm 24 now) and 4 months ago I got pretty bad acne because of going off of the pill. All hormonal. The derm gave me Retin-A saying it should cure everything and sent me on my way.
I've been applying it once daily for the past 2.5 months and my skin is beyond horrendous. Not only did I get the whole initial break, but it's just not stopping. I keep getting cysts every single day. And even though they go away quickly, they leave just as noticeable red marks. My skin is covered with them. I went back and the derm told me that Retin-A shouldn't be doing that--that the IB should only last a couple of weeks--and that I should stop. He gave me minocycline instead but I've decided to keep with the Retin-A and try to combine the two based on what everyone is saying here. Hasn't helped in the last 10 days.
So I don't know what to do either at this point. I want to go on Accutane but it'll take at least another month until I can do that (with the iPledge testing).. and I'm not sure if to keep on Retin-A. Is it even worth it if I'll go on Accutane afterward?! Isn't it just making my redmarks worse?!

ALSO, another question: what do you use to moisturize????
Something with an SPF now that it's summer???

Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[aaars]

This is exactly what's happened to me!
I had smooth skin my entire life (I'm 24 now) and 4 months ago I got pretty bad acne because of going off of the pill. All hormonal. The derm gave me Retin-A saying it should cure everything and sent me on my way.
I've been applying it once daily for the past 2.5 months and my skin is beyond horrendous. Not only did I get the whole initial break, but it's just not stopping. I keep getting cysts every single day. And even though they go away quickly, they leave just as noticeable red marks. My skin is covered with them. I went back and the derm told me that Retin-A shouldn't be doing that--that the IB should only last a couple of weeks--and that I should stop. He gave me minocycline instead but I've decided to keep with the Retin-A and try to combine the two based on what everyone is saying here. Hasn't helped in the last 10 days.
So I don't know what to do either at this point. I want to go on Accutane but it'll take at least another month until I can do that (with the iPledge testing).. and I'm not sure if to keep on Retin-A. Is it even worth it if I'll go on Accutane afterward?! Isn't it just making my redmarks worse?!

ALSO, another question: what do you use to moisturize????
Something with an SPF now that it's summer???

Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

I am using retin-a .1% cream and did not start seeing results until 4 months. For 3 months and 3 weeks I would wake up every day with several new zits all over my cheeks. This was awful, but to make things worse I would get a red mark where the zit appeared so my face soon became covered in red marks. You can see the pictures in my gallery. The pictures are what I looked like at week 15 of retin-a use (it's gross and sad). Anyway, now its been 4 months and 1 week and things have finally improved!! My skin feels so good and the red marks are fading (even though it is slow). But the most important this: I AM NOT BREAKING OUT! I'm going to give retin-a a few more months until I post the "after" pictures, but I am expecting improvement.

However, to be completely honest, my skin might not have cleared up because of the Retin-a. 2 weeks ago I started spironolactone. My dermatologist saw me and told me to keep using retin-a but to also take spironolactone to balance my hormones. Anyway, I'm not sure if it was spiro or Retin-a but I stopped breaking out 2 weeks ago. I like doing both so I am going to continue the combination.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I am seeing improvement in my red marks. They really are fading and I do not think this is due to the spironolactone. I think spiro helps prevent future acne; I have not read that it helps fade red marks. Thus, that means the retin a is helping me, but I am only now seeing this result and it's been 4 months and 1 week.

Edited by aaars, 28 April 2010 - 06:00 PM.

[Vfox123]

Hi all! I'm using tretinoin .05%, and have been for about 2 and a half weeks. I noticed some improvement almost immediately, but woke up today with a pretty gnarly breakout. Is this just a slightly delayed IB? My acne is only on my chin, but today i have a couple a little farther out than normal too.
I've never had acne until the last 4 months (I'm a 23 yr old female), and so have never had to deal with waiting for treatment to work. I know I'm probably just being impatient. I just want it to go away! I'm also on doxycycline hyclate and using a sulfur skin wash. I just feel frustrated and icky. When will this stuff work??

[rumah]

stop using this product it has really hurt me alot!!

[flower_child]

i've been on retin A for 3 months now and i havn't seen any improvement in my skin yet

[Bahador72]

Hi guys!!! I statred to use Retin-A(as my doc said) 3 weeks ago and now,Not only I dont see any improvements but also many Comedones appeard on my skin which I didn't have.so I feel a little bit unsure to stick with retin-a cause I'm afraid of getting a spotted face!!!can someone tell me how long does it take to see an obvious improvement on my skin???

[sasch12]

Bahador72, on 13 May 2012 - 05:26 AM, said:

Hi guys!!! I statred to use Retin-A(as my doc said) 3 weeks ago and now,Not only I dont see any improvements but also many Comedones appeard on my skin which I didn't have.so I feel a little bit unsure to stick with retin-a cause I'm afraid of getting a spotted face!!!can someone tell me how long does it take to see an obvious improvement on my skin???

Bahador72, it can take at a minimum 3-6 months to begin seeing CONSISTENT improvement. The breakout clear up breakout clear up phase is annoying and at times, hell but like all acne treatments, it takes time. i can't say if retin a will work for you because everyone's skin is different. I am on week 12 of treatment and still breaking out so.....

Good Luck with treatment and keep your head up!

[amrendugan]

Im on week 10 with retin-a and believe me I am still breaking out though not everyday Im getting new zits...you can visit my blog about retin-a....

[HLJ]

I've been on retin-a micro for almost 4 months now, zero improvement. In fact, my acne is worse. I just keep getting cysts. So depressed.

[amrendugan]

Retin-a can at times so frustrating...just so frustrating.....Im on week 12 but Im still breaking out although not worst still a break out...The only thing I like about retin-a is that, i quickly dries out the acne but the flaking is soo embarassing...I am trying my very best not to be affected by acne in my day to day life...my chin is just so annoying...

[sasch12]

HLJ, on 22 May 2012 - 08:02 PM, said:

I've been on retin-a micro for almost 4 months now, zero improvement. In fact, my acne is worse. I just keep getting cysts. So depressed.

If you haven't experienced the slightest improvement by month 4, you should definitely call your derm up and have him/her reevaluate your regimen.

Good Luck! You have a great support system in the org.

amrendugan, on 23 May 2012 - 08:52 AM, said:

Retin-a can at times so frustrating...just so frustrating.....Im on week 12 but Im still breaking out although not worst still a break out...The only thing I like about retin-a is that, i quickly dries out the acne but the flaking is soo embarassing...I am trying my very best not to be affected by acne in my day to day life...my chin is just so annoying...

I'm beginning to HATE retin -a. Going to talk to my derm next week about a possible switch. I'm breaking out in the same areas over and over as well as area where acne was never a big issue.