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.

Third Application

I have read that a lot of people start to have a reaction (dryness, peeling, redness, flakiness) by the third or fourth application.  Here we go……at least it’s the weekend…..

Followed application with Organic Passion Fruit Oil. 

I did not feel the tingling on my cheeks like I did with the second application but I did notice something with my neck.  I don’t recall if with the first two Retin-A applications whether or not I wore my below-shoulder-length hair up but this time it was down and I noticed the ends that were touching my neck felt prickly like a cactus or velcro.  Annoying enough that I put my hair up – then the prickliness went away and I didn’t notice anything else.

Days Following 2nd Application

No irritation whatsoever- yahoo!

Washed my face the next morning (Purity) and have been applying my make-up as usual.  My liquid foundation applied like it normally does with no visible change.  I had no reaction after wearing make-up all day.

Decided to be brave (stupid?) and used my Clarisonic with the gentle brush head two days after this second Retin-A application.  My skin (cheek area) was somewhat sensitive to the Clarisonic but the sensitivity went away immediately afterwards.

Used HIAJ on two of these nights with no reaction.

Noticed two new acne breakouts.  I know Retin-A can sometimes cause breakouts as it is turning over the cells of the skin; out with old, in with the new.  Is this a result of the Retin-A or just coincidental timing?

Second Application

Same routine as the first application but I did notice a very slight tingling on my cheeks this time which lasted for just a few minutes.  No visible redness though.

Followed application with Organic Passion Fruit Oil.

Tomorrow is a work day so I hope there are no visible issues.

2nd & 3rd Day After First Application

I  decided to chance using ProActive (Toner & Lotion) once and fortunately nothing happened.  Incidentally I never apply ProActive without following it with a moisturizer of some sort as it is very drying to me otherwise.

These past two days I used Aveeno Positively Radiant Daytime Moisturizer spf15 and at night either Organic Passion Fruit Oil or Philosophy-Hope in a Jar.

 

Day After First Application

Woke up this morning and my face feels and looks fine.  I have had no adverse reaction.  My face did not feel especially dry either – felt like any other day.

With Retin-A use you are supposed to wash your face the next morning.  This is something I will have to get used as my normal routine is to wash my face at night and then only use toner in the morning.

Washed my face with Philosophy Purity Made Simple then applied a moisturizer.  I usually only use Philosophy Hope in a Jar at night as it is too heavy for me during the day (although they do make a daytime version that I have yet to purchase) but I thought just in case the Retin-A continues to work throughout the day I better use a more “heavy duty” moisturizer.  Today is a Saturday so no make-up today.

Day went fine, no irritation at all.

At bedtime I washed my face again with Purity and applied Passion Fruit Oil.

First Application

Washed my face this evening with Philosophy Purity Made Simple and then waited the recommended wait time of 30 minutes before applying Retin-A.  Because Retin-A is not supposed to be used when the skin is wet in any way I brushed my teeth first so no water would touch my face after application.

The white cream is very lightweight and greaseless.  Seems to dry, or absorb, quickly so I will have to work faster on future uses. The cream seems to have a very very very faint medicinal smell but I also have an extremely hyper-sensitive sense of smell; I imagine most people will not even notice this.  Once applied, I do not smell anything at all.

A half inch portion of the product, as recommended on the package insert, was indeed enough to cover my entire face (I will probably use a bit less in the future).  After I was done applying the cream to my face I wiped my hands over my neck then I thoroughly washed them with soap and water.

I do not feel any burning or tingling, nor do I see any redness.  My face appears matte (but not ghostly); I cannot see the product on my face.

As it is winter I usually moisturize at night with Philosophy Hope in a Jar (regular or dry skin formula depending on how dry my skin is) but since that can be somewhat “tingly” itself I think I will refrain from using it on the nights I use Retin-A.  This may change in time.

After 30 minutes of using the Retin-A, I applied Organic Passion Fruit Oil on my face and neck (my usual application).  There was no negative reaction.

My Application Instructions

I say "my" application instructions as this will vary from person to person. 

As you can see by the title page photo, I am using the generic for Retin-A; called Tretinoin Cream 0.025% - this is the lowest dosage.  It was suggested by my dermatologist to use the cream twice a week to start.  To my discretion I can increase the days as I go.  He stated that once I am using it daily (or should I said “nightly”), which is the goal, if I do not have any excessive negative reaction (dryness, flaking, redness) he will increase the dosage.  I have decided to use Retin-A on Tuesdays and Fridays to start.

Incidentally, my dermatologist did write the prescription “for acne” but my insurance company did not cover the cost.  My insurance company's "cut-off age" for acne is 39.  Um, don’t lots of men and women have acne over that age???  How rude.

Package insert states I should dispense “half an inch of product" which should be good for use on the whole face.  I have read that others use a “pea sized" amount but I will just follow the instructions with my tube.  There are A LOT of warnings on the package insert so this is why I say to educate yourself thoroughly before using Retin-A.  I don’t want to list them here to be sure that you go out and learn all the particular details and warnings for yourself – don’t just trust me; who am I anyway?  One thing that is definitely clear is that I should not use any more than the recommended dose no matter how tempted – I will do as I’m told….sigh.

Products I use...

It remains to be seen whether or not I can continue my normal skin and make-up regimen.  Will the products I normally use still be usable while using Retin-A?

For the purpose of this blog I will list products as I use them.  Below is a list of products I regularly use.  This list is not all inclusive and I may not use these products on a daily basis but I do use them often.  I also like to try new products frequently. 

-    ProActive - Repairing Treatment Lotion and Revitalizing Toner (love this glycolic acid toner!).  I very rarely use the cleanser that comes with the normal 3-step kit because it bleaches the heck out of my towels.  I think the lotion and toner are enough anyway.

-    Aveeno - Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF15

-    Philosophy – Hope in a Jar (Regular and Dry Skin Formula)

-    Philosophy – Purity Made Simple Cleanser

-    Philosophy – Micro Delivery Exfoliating Wash

-    Clarisonic – with gentle and normal brush heads

-    Organic Passion Fruit Oil (also called Maracuja Oil)

-    Queen Helene – Mint Julep Masque

 

-    Freeman's – Dead Sea Minerals Anti-Stress Mask

-    Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion (I accidentally bought the one without sunscreen, grrrrr….)

-    The usual make-up products including liquid foundation and tinted moisturizers

About me...

I am 44 years old – outside of this blog I am 38  J

I have mild occasional acne but I’m choosing to use Retin-A for its anti-aging properties; helping with acne breakouts is just a bonus - sweet!  In my opinion I can easily pass for someone in their late 30’s….I wonder if anyone else thinks this?  Hmmmmm….

I was born in the United States but am of Asian descent but am not a delicate porcelain Asian.  My skin is light to medium yellow/olive toned – I tan very easily even with sunscreen.

I live in the Midwest where the summers are humid and the winters, with its biting wind and dry air, are brutal to the skin.   I run a humidifier at home during the winter but my workplace is very dry – and my skin definitely feels it by the end of the day.

My skin is “normal” (whatever that means) with a slightly oily t-zone.  In the summer my t-zone is little oilier, in the winter my cheeks can get somewhat dry.

I use sunscreen everyday – the spf that comes in moisturizer and/or make-up; usually a 15 or 30.

Although I do not “worship” the sun I am out in the sun during the summer months whether gardening or walking my dogs.  I have also taken a two-week tropical vacation each year for the past 10, where I turn a golden caramel color laying poolside.  At those times I wear definitive sunblock with an spf of 30 or 50.  I do not wear a hat because they look stupid on me.  I know with Retin-A use my time in the sun and precautions I take to protect my skin will have to be re-evaluated.

I have never had a cosmetic procedure or any sort of professional treatments such as a chemical peel, collagen or botox injections, etc.  For that matter I have never had a professional facial either.

When I say “occasional” acne I mean just that.  I usually get one or two breakouts at a time.  But it used to be that a leftover brown spot would disappear quickly and now I notice it takes 6 or more months – and in that time I’ve developed another one so then it’s an additional 6 months and then another one appears.  So I seem to always have one or two or three fading brown spots at a time.  Very annoying.

Around age 39 I started to notice “changes” to my skin; the texture and appearance.  A few months ago I purchased a cosmetic mirror with a regular mirror on one side and a 10x magnification mirror on the other.  I curse the day I ever bought that thing!!  I didn’t know I had some sun spots.  I didn’t know when I smiled, lines appeared on my cheeks.  When I furrow my brow why don’t the “goal posts” go away quickly?  What the heck!

My intention was to post pictures daily so that we could see together my progress or lack thereof however I have tried several times with different cameras to capture what I see but I am unable to do this without professional photography.  You know, it’s one of those things that no one else would notice about your face but you do – especially if you’re using a 10x magnification mirror!!  I guess I’m lucky that these are things that probably aren't very noticeable to others.  My best friend tells me she can only see things when I point them out and only if she studies my face closely.  She says I shouldn’t worry about it, that no one else can see it.  But that’s just it – I can see it, it is my face, it bothers ME.  And I am doing this for ME not for anyone else.  Keep this in mind if you choose to start a Retin-A regimen – it is a very personal choice; one you should make for yourself for your own reasons.

I know there won’t be a drastic change since my skin is in good condition and I know Retin-A use is an ongoing process to slow down the signs of aging.  So instead of pictures I will post my own personal thoughts about whether or not Retin-A is correcting any of the current issues that are reflected in my mirror (on both sides of the mirror that is).