I have read from a few sources that when Differin or Retin-A has cleared up the acne, it can be used less frequently or bumped down a dose to keep the skin clear. Are there any evidence, or maybe even anecdote to support this?
In some sense, it makes sense, since topical tretinoin works by thinning the outer layer skin and preventing new pimples from even forming properly, so once the skin is adjusted and established to the point where there is no breakout, maybe lower dosage or less frequent dosage can 'maintain' the state of the skin? or does the body start to return to normal that quickly to return back to normal again?
I've been using it coming to 8 months already and now I use it alternate nights. Next week onwards, I'll use it 3 times a week. I'm not completely clear yet. I'm afraid that completely stopping tretinoin will cause my skin to go back to square one. I'm going to use it 3 times a week for as long as I can. Hope that this will "maintain" my skin.
Yes, definitely reduce as much irritation to your skin as possible, done mostly by the chemicals. Try to wean yourself off of them, but go slowly! And make sure you're also working on the root of the problem, the cause of your acne (whether it be balancing hormones, helping digestion, eliminating allergies, cleaning up your diet, etc.) That way even if your topical is not full strength, your acne won't come back with a vengeance like mine did (I was on BP for like three years, I weaned myself off, and when I was completely off my acne came back within 2 months because I hadn't adressed the real inner cause).
I was never able to wean myself down when I was on it. I was on tazorac for 5 1/2 years. Maybe its just me, but to get the meds to work I had to just use them as directed continually. From what I understand from my derm, they don't make acne go away really, they just help slough off skin better so your skin cells aren't as "sticky" and likely to result in a clogged pore, so if you use them less I would image that process slows down and new acne will eventually result. I'm not sure if this is true for everyone, I had mod to severe acne at the time. I would see or phone my derm and double check just to be sure first, if it were me. No reason to reverse a good thing and have to start all over again if it could be avoided. Hope it works out well for you!!