I'm 51 and want to start using Retinol/Retinoids

[Anonymous]

51 is not “too late in the game.” I started at that age last September. My skin looks noticeably brighter and smoother. People who don’t know I’m using it have commented.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those of you using an online site, which brand do you use? I looked at All Day Chemist and there are many choices. Do I just pick the one with most reviews?

I use this one: https://www.alldaychemist.com/tretin-cream-0-05-30gm.html

However, if you are just starting, you probably want to use the .025 concentration first.

Do you need a prescription?

No prescription needed. When you get the part of the order that asks about a prescription, just skip it.

[Anonymous]

for those of you that use Agency what has your experience been like? I just signed up yesterday and am a little hesitant but figure it's gotta be better than over the counter stuff I've been using and they offer money back guarantee so it's worth a shot (and I've wasted way more than $65 on crap already that doesn't work so.....)

[Anonymous]

I just placed an order with All Day Chemist. They called me about my order and let me know of the payment methods (check, echeck, zell, and maybe a money order?) Is this normal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is it that you're trying to accomplish? All depending, you might be too late to the game. You have to use these very regularly for many years to really see a difference, and most women give up long before then because they're not noticing improvement.

What are your goals?

She's 51, not 81. Yes retinol can help skin texture in your 50s too.

Did you read what I wrote, or did you just skim it? I never said she was "too old". I said she may be too late to the game because you have to use retinol for several years to see a difference. Daily. Sunscreen every day. Most women give up about 6 months in. Once you reach 50+ you're of the mindset that you want and need to see immediate improvements - Retinols will not do this for you in that short period of time. I am not wrong on this.

You are wrong on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is it that you're trying to accomplish? All depending, you might be too late to the game. You have to use these very regularly for many years to really see a difference, and most women give up long before then because they're not noticing improvement.

What are your goals?

She's 51, not 81. Yes retinol can help skin texture in your 50s too.

Did you read what I wrote, or did you just skim it? I never said she was "too old". I said she may be too late to the game because you have to use retinol for several years to see a difference. Daily. Sunscreen every day. Most women give up about 6 months in. Once you reach 50+ you're of the mindset that you want and need to see immediate improvements - Retinols will not do this for you in that short period of time. I am not wrong on this.

You are wrong on this.

It doesn't take years to see noticeable improvements. Tretinoin is backed by science to treat acne. Watch some YouTube videos. It works to turn over skin cells. It's kind of like exfoliating your skin. That's why you need to continue using it, or you will no longer see the benefits of it.

It is true that if you neglected to protect your skin from the sun when younger, then yes, sun damage can be reversed, but it's difficult.

[Anonymous]

I was intrigued by this thread and the cream mentioned but then looked it up and was a bit put off by the list of potential side effects. Can anyone speak to actual experience of side effects?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is it that you're trying to accomplish? All depending, you might be too late to the game. You have to use these very regularly for many years to really see a difference, and most women give up long before then because they're not noticing improvement.

What are your goals?

She's 51, not 81. Yes retinol can help skin texture in your 50s too.

Did you read what I wrote, or did you just skim it? I never said she was "too old". I said she may be too late to the game because you have to use retinol for several years to see a difference. Daily. Sunscreen every day. Most women give up about 6 months in. Once you reach 50+ you're of the mindset that you want and need to see immediate improvements - Retinols will not do this for you in that short period of time. I am not wrong on this.

You are wrong on this.

It doesn't take years to see noticeable improvements. Tretinoin is backed by science to treat acne. Watch some YouTube videos. It works to turn over skin cells. It's kind of like exfoliating your skin. That's why you need to continue using it, or you will no longer see the benefits of it.

It is true that if you neglected to protect your skin from the sun when younger, then yes, sun damage can be reversed, but it's difficult.

I think both PPs are right in their own way. There's no "too late" for starting tretinoin in your 50s in terms of helping with overall skin quality, but it's the one proven anti-ager for things like lines and wrinkles and 50s is late to start for damage already done. It will give you those exfoliating benefits, but is more akin to acids and peels by 50. So, I'd still do it, but it's not going to be a miracle worker. I do think the first PP is right that, with the time it takes to acclimate to the adjustment time of Tretinoin, by 50 I'd personally probably be looking into a lot more if you want to see significant improvement quickly.

/Been on Tret and daily sunscreen since 12 years old for acne and it HAS significantly slowed aging in a way it won't reverse damage done if you start at 50.

[Anonymous]

I’m 47 and recently started using Curology, which is one of the online prescription services for tretinoin. I started in March, and I’m impressed with the results so far. But my problems were more related to acne and scarring. If you do start with tretinoin, I suggest looking at some of the advice on the tretinoin subreddit. When I used this when I was younger, it was irritating and I quit. But with the advice from Reddit, my skin is tolerating it well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just placed an order with All Day Chemist. They called me about my order and let me know of the payment methods (check, echeck, zell, and maybe a money order?) Is this normal?

I just paid online by echeck when I was ordering. Not phone call from the company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just placed an order with All Day Chemist. They called me about my order and let me know of the payment methods (check, echeck, zell, and maybe a money order?) Is this normal?

I just paid online by echeck when I was ordering. Not phone call from the company.

Thanks. I’ll mail them a check!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was intrigued by this thread and the cream mentioned but then looked it up and was a bit put off by the list of potential side effects. Can anyone speak to actual experience of side effects?

Side effects are mostly skin irritation, like red and burning and peeling. Sun sensitivity, so as usual, sunscreen is a must. Don't use tretinoin if you can't use sunscreen during the day. Stay out of the sun. Wear a hat.

There are gel formulas of tretinoin for more oily skin types for acne.

There are cream formulas, which are gentler on the skin.

Watch Dr. Dray for YouTube video on her routine on how to apply the tretinoin cream.

And don't bother using anything else with the tretinoin. You could use Vitamin C in the morning if you want. I wouldn't use anything else other than a moisturizer and a gentle non-soap cleanser with tretinoin.

[Anonymous]

My derm writes the rx at the end of my annual skin cancer mole check. I use a goodRX number and pay about $50 for the tube, which lasts me the year.

[Anonymous]

My AM routine with tretinoin:

CeraVe foaming facial cleanser (or Walgreen's brand)
CeraVe PM lightweight moisturizer (or Target's brand)
LaRoche-Posay SPF 60 Clear Skin sunscreen
Eucerin Tinted SPF 35 zinc sunscreen
(I layer sunscreens)

I wear a hat when I'm outside. When I walk my dog, I wear a wide brim SPF hat. To run errands, I wear a more fashionable smaller hat, like a baseball hat or a fedora.

Reapply sunscreen on my face whenever I go out.

My PM routine with tretinoin:

CeraVe foaming facial cleanser (or Walgreen's brand)
CeraVe PM lightweight moisturizer (or Target's brand)
Apply the tretinoin cream (pearl size amount)

That's it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is it that you're trying to accomplish? All depending, you might be too late to the game. You have to use these very regularly for many years to really see a difference, and most women give up long before then because they're not noticing improvement.

What are your goals?

DP. I’m 50 and starting to see horizontal lines on in the middle of my forehead and also above the outer part of my eyebrows. I think because my eyes are becoming hooded so I lift up more with my eyebrows.

I tried retinols a few years ago and they really aggravated my sensitive skin. For example, it took over a week to recover from using a small amount of neutrogena rapid wrinkle repair. I looked like I had severe burns.

Would a dermatologist have a milder form? Would it address forehead wrinkles?