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

[Anonymous]

I'm mid 40s and started using 0.025 tretinoin about 2 years ago. Over the past 2 years I have bumped it up to 0.1.
You do need to start low and slower. Your skin will have a reaction and probably start peeling at a fairly rapid rate. I applied with moisturizer at night and started two nights a week up to three for then 5 and never had an issue.

I know do .1 three to four times a week.

It took three to six months for me to notice any evening out of my skin on the 0.025. when I up to 05 it really helped control monthly acne.

Now that I'm at .1 am noticing Fuller skin and a more even skin tone. But again this is been after consistent use for almost 2 years.

You have to keep using it in order to continue to see results.
My insurance does not cover it but I pay around 40 to $50 a tube which lasts me about 3 months.

Other than that I have had no side effects and I continue to use it in the evenings so my skin is not impacted by the sun.

[Anonymous]

I started for melasma and aging, at 44. My skin became reddish all of the time, and I developed more hyperpigmentation. It did not help the melasma at all. I was using a prescription of .025. I think it just exposed my “new” skin to the sun causing the pigmentation. This was with daily strong sunscreen and wearing hats for walks. The experience made me highly sun avoidant, making social outings worrisome.

I would consider restarting a winter only regiment. I did not experience breakouts at all but did get peely dry skin. But now I’m also worried by the possibility of fat loss under my eyes.

[Anonymous]

Tetinoin has nothing to do with fat loss or fat gain in your face. Really only impacts the outer layer of skin where fat is the deepest layer.

[Anonymous]

Is it a carcinogen? To have such a bad reaction and to take it daily for years before seeing a benefit is concerning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it a carcinogen? To have such a bad reaction and to take it daily for years before seeing a benefit is concerning.

Very few use it daily because no one needs skin turned over that often....but just like eating right for 1 meal doesn't drop 20lbs or lower cholesterol......neither does 1 use of tretinoin.

It's a lifestyle over time with good skin habits that help.

[Anonymous]

Application matters. For me, I wash and dry my face and then 20 minutes later, I apply tretinoin and allow it to soak in. Then I apply a moisturizer. I apply no more more frequently than every other day. Start with a lower strength and work your way up to a higher strength.

[Anonymous]

OP here with an update - I started .025 Tretinoin shortly after posting this. I've noticed a definite improvement in my skin tone and texture. Is it miraculous? No. Do I like the result and think it's worth it? Yes. Biggest improvement is the pores on my nose are less noticeable.

I started with every other night but quickly moved up to every night. I didn't have any sensitivity and wish I had started with a higher concentration. I will move up soon but have a ton leftover!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update - I started .025 Tretinoin shortly after posting this. I've noticed a definite improvement in my skin tone and texture. Is it miraculous? No. Do I like the result and think it's worth it? Yes. Biggest improvement is the pores on my nose are less noticeable.

I started with every other night but quickly moved up to every night. I didn't have any sensitivity and wish I had started with a higher concentration. I will move up soon but have a ton leftover!

Op - where did you get it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update - I started .025 Tretinoin shortly after posting this. I've noticed a definite improvement in my skin tone and texture. Is it miraculous? No. Do I like the result and think it's worth it? Yes. Biggest improvement is the pores on my nose are less noticeable.

I started with every other night but quickly moved up to every night. I didn't have any sensitivity and wish I had started with a higher concentration. I will move up soon but have a ton leftover!

Any effect on forehead wrinkles?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update - I started .025 Tretinoin shortly after posting this. I've noticed a definite improvement in my skin tone and texture. Is it miraculous? No. Do I like the result and think it's worth it? Yes. Biggest improvement is the pores on my nose are less noticeable.

I started with every other night but quickly moved up to every night. I didn't have any sensitivity and wish I had started with a higher concentration. I will move up soon but have a ton leftover!

Any effect on forehead wrinkles?

DP: no you need Botox for that

[Anonymous]

Do all the women using retinol or related prescription products never go outdoors in daytime with their family? Is a wide brim hat and 50 SPF enough at the pool in August if your face is lathered daily with a photosensitive chemical? If you don't live like a vampire afraid of sunlight, can the treatment set you up for more sun damage rather than improvement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started for melasma and aging, at 44. My skin became reddish all of the time, and I developed more hyperpigmentation. It did not help the melasma at all. I was using a prescription of .025. I think it just exposed my “new” skin to the sun causing the pigmentation. This was with daily strong sunscreen and wearing hats for walks. The experience made me highly sun avoidant, making social outings worrisome.

I would consider restarting a winter only regiment. I did not experience breakouts at all but did get peely dry skin. But now I’m also worried by the possibility of fat loss under my eyes.

This is good to know. My melasma flares whenever I get sun, I haven't started tret out of fear of making it worse. FYI - I'm 50 and Mediterranean. My skin texture is good, other than a couple of expression lines, and my biggest signs of aging are the beginnings of sagging and loss of volume. Not sure that retinoids would do all that much for me.

[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.

Agree to disagree. Never too late to see the benefits of Retinols, and Tretinoins at any age. Most women see such improvements they stick with it not only for 6 months but for years, or decades it’s that great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update - I started .025 Tretinoin shortly after posting this. I've noticed a definite improvement in my skin tone and texture. Is it miraculous? No. Do I like the result and think it's worth it? Yes. Biggest improvement is the pores on my nose are less noticeable.

I started with every other night but quickly moved up to every night. I didn't have any sensitivity and wish I had started with a higher concentration. I will move up soon but have a ton leftover!

OP, use the leftover on your neck, chest and backs of hands.

[Anonymous]

Tret+ some kind of acid (Azelaic in particular) helps melasma.