Acne & Retin A

tania44 · Jan 19th, 2009, 10:28 AM

[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Although I wouldn’t say that I have acne as such, I do break-out quite often esp around my periods of after laser hair removal treatment. More recently, I have been getting spots around my cheek area which I treat with benzoyl peroxide and glycolic wash. I’ve just started using a mild retinol product (avene retrinal 0.025%) and have broken out really bad esp around my cheeks – it’s shocked everyone cos the spots are enormous, angry red like hives (the spots I . Would you say this is down to the retinol product and should I stop usuing it or is the retinol product trying to clear my skin out….pls advise (esp Gina)[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Also, does laser acne treatments help like NLite? [/FONT][/SIZE]

Gina~ · Jan 19th, 2009, 04:07 PM

Scars respond to glycolic washes/peels and acne or pimples are best treated with salicylic peels.. U shud notify u're derm that's treating u and following up u're laser treatments.. laser shudn't aggravate acne.

tania44 · Jan 22nd, 2009, 05:15 AM

Thanks Gina, I will try salicylic peel - si there one i can try at home?

I've recently switched the type of laser I'm having on my face (light sheer) and that seems to aggrevated my skin but I'm sure it's the retinol product that has caused the spots on this occasion.

Gina~ · Jan 22nd, 2009, 05:27 AM

Retin A disperses melanin and increases blood vessel development and cell nuitrition, decreases clogged pores and makes cells divide faster.. it doesn't cause breakouts.

Retin A shudn't be combined with other treatments and products..so please make sure of ANY treatments and topical gels u're using are safe to be used along with retin A. U're derm wud be the best person to advise u, just don't use retin a without consulting a derm.

sahar2008 · Jan 22nd, 2009, 08:07 AM

Gina does Retin A would help lighten skin color too?

Gina~ · Jan 22nd, 2009, 02:46 PM

Retin A fades dark spots left by acne it's NOT supposed to be used all over u're face

use it only when u're derm prescribes it...

Ira · Jan 22nd, 2009, 03:59 PM

RetinA can cause breakouts in the begining while it purges the skin. If you read the pamphlet that comes with it, you will read it there. But the breakouts go away after a while. In my opinion, it is only for people with serious cystic acne. Yours does not seem to be such a bad case unless i am mistaken.

IAKD · Jan 27th, 2009, 12:50 AM

i dont like retin a
my skin gets all dry and it peels
and it looks really bad

PSquared · Jan 27th, 2009, 01:23 AM

Its supposed to peel

pakifairy · Jan 27th, 2009, 04:25 AM

you can buffer your retin a if you are finding it to be too strong. like with a mild moisturizer. you can also do short contact therapy with it which means you apply it for 30 seconds (thatas all it takes for it to start working) and then wash it off.

Gina~ · Jan 27th, 2009, 03:08 PM

Apply retin A every other night.. and yes it's supposed to make u're skin peel.. if u're using it with a cream cream u have to be extra careful sum ingredients can't be used with retin A. It's safer to use Retin A 2 times a week.. and use a heavy moisturiser in the morning then to mix it with anything.

Use a HIGH factor sunblock!

pakifairy · Jan 27th, 2009, 05:49 PM

definately use a high ppd sunblock (which suits your skin) sofina suncut milk is awesome.

redvelvet · Jan 27th, 2009, 06:06 PM

Retin A can help but it's very drying. You asked about laser treatment. My sister recently got laser done for her acne/blemishes and Alhumdolillah it has turned out well for her. The dermatologist told her that she wont be breaking out in a long time and the next time that she MIGHT have a serious breakout would be if she becomes pregnant in the future, as pregnacny causes hormons fluctuations.
She paid 100 for the first laser session and that 180 for the second and final session. She said it didn't hurt at all and that the laser just feels warm.

The dermatologist also got rid of some light facial hair with the laser for her. And my sis told me that laser shrinks the oil glands so that you break out less in the future.

I'm currenly using Obagi products for my acne because they contain hydroquinone, which helps to fade spots. If things don't get better, I might look into laser treatment as well. The only thing that concerns me is that just like you I also break out when I get my period, so it's probably hormonal acne and I'll have ask the dermatologist if laser can prevent PMS related breakouts effectively.

If you're looking for a treatment that will provide long term results, then it's best to consult a dermatologist who can assess your skin and recommend the best options for effective treatment.

pakifairy · Jan 27th, 2009, 06:13 PM

if you have hormonal acne you can also try spearmint tea (2-3 bags daily) it lowers androgen production which lowers the sebum production in your glands.

also, did she receive blue light therapy?

IAKD · Jan 27th, 2009, 11:56 PM

my doctor said 2 use it every nite

PSquared · Jan 28th, 2009, 12:22 AM

Im curious about Obagi products...RV...do you like them? Do they work? You need to have a prescription to get them right?

tania44 · Jan 28th, 2009, 12:42 PM

Thanks all, this is all v.useful info. Yes, my acne is more hormonal I think. I think I will continue with the retinol but only on alternate days and may try contact therapy like Pakfairy suggested.

RV - can I ask whether you use the Obagi product over your entire face or just on the infected area. I need to fade red spot marks but am worried that anything containing hydroquinone will cause other parts of my face to become pale (as indicated by a derm). I'm currently using a 8% glycolic wash but I think I need something stronger.

To see a derm here will cost me around £150 for initial consultation so am trying to avoid that unless my skin gets worse.

Gina~ · Jan 28th, 2009, 02:43 PM

A red mark shud be left alone as it's considered "broken skin" it will eventually heal and either form a scab and fall off or turn into a darker brown spot. Wait for it to reach that stage before u try any topical creams with any percentage of HQ in it.. applying HQ or any skin bleaching agents to "raw/broken skin" can cause a deeper more perm scar.

redvelvet · Jan 28th, 2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSquared

Im curious about Obagi products...RV...do you like them? Do they work? You need to have a prescription to get them right?

No, PSquared, you don't need prescription to get them. Unfortunately insurance won't cover it either, so you have to pay yourself and i'll be honest it's pricey. I like the products in the sense that it DOES get rid of not only spots that are left behind from pimples, but also any dark pathhes on your skin. The dermatologist can look at you and determine which Obagi system is best for you. The CRX system is milder and is for people who don't have servere acne/skin issues. This is the one that I have. You can try it out. My cousin had some pretty dark blemishes on her skin and the derm suggested Obagi for her. When I saw her during her engagement, her skin was GLOWING and freakishly clear and porcelain-like! Like all products, it suits some people more than others.

The NuDerm system is for people who have severe acne and it uses Retin A along with hydroquinone. This system is more agressive and also more pricey, close to $400. And the CRX is $300 some. If you're thinking of purchasing it, Reha, just buy the things that you need. For example, don't buy the cleanser, especiallay if you're already using one that works. And don't buy the sunscreen because, although it's strong, it makes tan people like you and I look chalky and pasty. So just buy the other stuff and it'll be cheaper.

redvelvet · Jan 28th, 2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tania44

Thanks all, this is all v.useful info. Yes, my acne is more hormonal I think. I think I will continue with the retinol but only on alternate days and may try contact therapy like Pakfairy suggested.

RV - can I ask whether you use the Obagi product over your entire face or just on the infected area. I need to fade red spot marks but am worried that anything containing hydroquinone will cause other parts of my face to become pale (as indicated by a derm). I'm currently using a 8% glycolic wash but I think I need something stronger.

To see a derm here will cost me around £150 for initial consultation so am trying to avoid that unless my skin gets worse.

Tania,

It depends which Obagi system the doctor recommends for you. Obagi uses hydroquinone of 4%. If your acne/spots are severe, then you'll most likely be prescribed the Obagi Nuderm system. If you have a few spots with mild to moderate acne, then you'll get the Obagi CRX system. I use the CRX system, which is milder.

The NuDerms system is more agressive and when you begin using it, your skin will become worse before it gets better. And that's because the products are designed to clean your skin from underneath and bring all the junk to the surface and then get rid of it.

About the system I use (CRX), there is a solution that comes in a dropper and that is called Clarifying Serum. This serum contains hydroquinone and vitamin C, both known to fade pots. This product is the KEY ingredient in the system. And you apply it daily ONLY to the affected areas of your skin (spots, hyperpigmentation, etc). Then you have the Exfoliating Day lotion which also contains Vitamin C and increases your cell-turnover. In the morning when you wake up, you wash your face, then apply the Clarifying Serum to affected areas, and then apply the Exfoliating Day Lotion.

At night you apply the Night Cream, which also contains hydroquinone all over your face. I don't know why ur doctor said that you're going to get white patches on your skin. I asked my doctor about that, and she said that it's not going to bleach my skin. And I've been using this for the past two years and I've had no Michael Jackson type bleaching, lol. But the dark spots have for the most part faded.

If you plan to purchase the products, I recommend that you just buy the clarifying serum, exfoliating lotion, and night cream. Or if you want, you can just by the clarifying serum and night cream since they both contain 4% hydroquinone. I would totally skip the cleanser as most people do (use another effective cleanser) and the sunscreen (if you're dark, it will make you chalky.)

Hope this helps.