whythankyou 0 Posted October 7, 2009 (edited) A little background: I'm 18. I don't really have acne anymore due to the use of AHAs and BHAs, and I think I just kinda grew out of it, but I really wanted to try out a tretinoin cream for the long term benefits, fix my acne scars, and for the occasional breakouts I get. Before the Retin A Micro my skincare routine was AM (BEFORE): Clarisonic (Sensitive) + Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash Cosmedicine Speedy Acne Recovery Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Neutrogena Age Shield SPF 55 PM (BEFORE): Clarisonic (Sensitive) + Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash Alpha Hydrox 12% Glycolic Souffle ROC Multi Correction Night Currently it is AM: Clarisonic (Delicate) + Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Cerave Lotion Zia Natural Men Eye Cream SPF 15 Neutrogena Age Shield SPF 55 PM: Clarisonic (Delicate) + Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash Alpha Hydrox 12% Glycolic Souffle <wait 30 mins> Retin A Micro 0.1% If you have any questions about anything just ask!! Edited November 17, 2009 by whythankyou Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whythankyou 0 Posted October 7, 2009 (edited) Week 1 Getting the stuff was kind of difficult. First I went to the clinic at my university because it is free and the nurse there wouldn't prescribe it! What a bitch! So I decided to go to a REAL doctor instead. At a medspa. The people there were a lot more sympathetic to my plight. Anyways they called it in and I picked it up at my pharmacy and it turns out to be Retin A Micro .1% not .04%. I decided not to correct them.. what's the worst that could happen? Days 1-2: No side affects! I thought maybe I wasn't putting enough on. Days 3-4: I start putting on enough to spread the cream all over my face. I also start using the AHA again 30 minutes before I apply the stuff. My forehead has a bunch of tiny bumps on it, but I was expecting that. That's all the evil coming out. My skin's also a little dry Day 5: EVERYTHING STINGS. Even my facewash! My sunblock hurts the most, it feels like putting fire on my face. I stop using the AHA. Maybe I'll start using it again in a couple months when my skin's adjusted to the RAM. Day 6: My face still stings whenever I put anything on it. They really mean it when they say use only a pea size for your entire face! I also ran out of facewash and moisturizer. I decided to get the Cerave face wash since it's supposed to be hydrating, and I could really use that. I also got Neutrogena Acne Stress Control since Paula Begoun said it was a good salicylic acid moisturizer, plus it's a lot cheaper than the Cosmedicine stuff. I also got the Delicate brush for my Clarisonic to replace the Sensitive brush, and only use it at night now. Day 7: My face still burns whenever I put any product on it, except for the RAM ironically! My forehead has a cluster of bumps. The skin around my mouth is kinda crinkly, I think that means it's going to flake off. Annnd I have a bump on my cheek. But I think I have my routine down. Week 1 was a learning experience. Here is a picture taken with the macro function D:. See the bumps! Some of the freckles are actually bumps/acne scars, if you tilt your screen you can see the difference. Edited October 7, 2009 by whythankyou Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whythankyou 0 Posted October 8, 2009 (edited) Day 8: Something came over me and made me squeeze every bump on my forehead and the blackheads on my nose! I really hope I didn't do any permanent damage. Edited October 8, 2009 by whythankyou Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaka 0 Posted October 8, 2009 I can barely see any zits in the photo, it looks just fine!! I started the Clarisonic in July and that's what made my skin erupt, I had to return the damn thing. I'm on month 2 of RAM .1%, it's going well I guess.... as well as it can! Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whythankyou 0 Posted November 12, 2009 (edited) Thanks! And yeah if I could do things over again I'd probably spend the $200 on something else other than the Clarisonic. It's nice but I could live without it! Update: I went back to the skin regimen I used before I started the RAM. I attributed all my complexion defections to the Retin-A but I think it could've been all the new stuff I was using. Also, the Cerave cleanser sucks! Zero out of 5 stars! I wish my skin liked it, cos their website makes it seem really high tech and cool, but it burns! I'm also back to using the AH Glycolic Souffle. I missed it so much! Use it! It will change your life. Anyways here is a picture of my initial breakout and one like a week after. I think the worst is over! The ashy stuff is the RAM. A lot of my freckles have disappeared too Also, has anybody else's face on RAM gotten hairier? Like the downy, invisible peach fuzz hair that babies usually have... Edited November 12, 2009 by whythankyou Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
