Applications 9 thru 13

As I indicated in my last post, since I've been having a lot of luck with Retin-A use, with hardly any reaction to speak of, I decided to add a 4th day to my regimen.

STILL everything is fine :)  One day I noticed a little flakiness around the sides of my mouth but a moisturizer took care of that immediately.  When I say a "little flakiness" I really mean minor; I only mention it so I have something to say!!

One thing I did notice is that when I feel a pimple coming on, by the next day (or second day) it has come to a white head and then, poof, it is gone.  Never had acne come and go so fast.  Cellular turnover - out with the old, in with the new.

So with no problems at 4 days a week....I tell you what......why don't we just go for it?!  I'm going to start using it every day, at least for this week, and we'll see how it goes.

Meanwhile my cleansing routine is the same as is my make-up application.  All the products I've mentioned before I am still using.

Applications 7 & 8

Sorry to be boring but even with using Retin-A 3 days a week there still are no adverse reactions to report.

The ever so mild dryness I mentioned is gone as are the breakouts.

The only thing I've noticed this time is that my skin is too sensitive now for the Clarisonic normal brush head;  the sensitive brush head feels fine.

I used ProActive again with no difficulty.  I don't know if I will continue to need to use ProActive with Retin-A use (I assume not) but will continue to do so until I either run out of my ProActive stash or have some sort of negative reaction.

Application 9 is tomorrow night (Sunday).  If there should still be no reaction I will add a 4th day to my regimen. 

Application 6

Yesterday was Sunday, the day I have decided to add to my Retin-A regimen.  My dermatologist instructed me to use Retin-A twice a week and add more days at my discretion.  My routine for now is Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Woke up this morning and the mild dryness that started with application 4 and then improved with application 5 is all but gone.  Again, I am not sure if the weather is playing a part in this as  the temperature has risen and there is more moisture in the air.  What about the nightmare stories I've read about Retin-A use?  If this is "the dryness" that comes with Retin-A, it's a piece of cake.....for me anyway.

Make-up application looked a little different today.  Used the same method and the same products but somehow it seems "smoother".  Seems way too soon for Retin-A to be doing anything; I've heard it takes at least a good 12 weeks.  Must be my imagination and I am just having a 'good skin day".  Wish I could say the same for my hair!!

Application 5

Seriously nothing new to report.  I followed the same routine as with the first 4 applications.  The dryness I was feeling after application 4 is still there but actually less!  Acne breakouts have healed nicely.

I have decided to add Sunday to my regimen and see how 3 days a week will work for me.

Is it possible that I am a rare lucky one who will not have a severe initial reaction to Retin-A?  I probably just jinxed myself!!!

One Day After Application 4

Woke up this morning and my face is definitely dryer than it has been.  My skin is not flaking, peeling or red but I can feel a tightness that comes along with dryness.

My skin was dry enough this morning that I chose to wear Hope in a Jar today under my make-up.  I have only ever used HIAJ at night since it is a heavier cream.  My make-up application, although the routine was the same, does appear to look somewhat “different” today.  A bit “cakey’ as I have on a heavier cream and the dryness of my skin is slightly visible.  You know how it is when you wear foundation over dry skin, it just looks dryer. 

 

I did spend a little more time this morning concealing my acne breakouts; no new ones yet, just the same 5.

 

The weather has changed a lot since my first application (it was 40 degrees when I started, it is now zero degrees and very dry) so I do not know if the dryness I am feeling is from the product.  In other words, in winters past my skin has been this dry before.

Application 4

Same routine as the other days.  Same non-reaction. 

Followed the Retin-A application with Organic Passion Fruit Oil.

Days Following Third Application

I’ve still had no noticeable negative reaction.  Maybe after this week if I still have no adverse reactions I will add Sunday to my regimen.

Used ProActive one more time but have not used the Clarisonic again.  I also used Philosophy-Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash one day with no ill effect.

Noticed three more acne breakouts - for a total of 5 currently.  I usually do not have this many at one time so my assumption is that the Retin-A is causing this.  The breakouts' appearance is typical for me; red, slightly swollen, slightly painful to the touch.