Tretinoin

[Kindred_]

How is everyone doing on their skin journey?

Dermatica absolutely calmed my skin down from a horrific break out I was having but I feel like I’ve hit a wall now with progress. My skin feels super smooth but I’m still getting mild breakouts and pores/blackheads are still really visible. I’m wondering whether to switch to skin+me??xx

 

[kittypaws]

How is everyone doing on their skin journey?

Dermatica absolutely calmed my skin down from a horrific break out I was having but I feel like I’ve hit a wall now with progress. My skin feels super smooth but I’m still getting mild breakouts and pores/blackheads are still really visible. I’m wondering whether to switch to skin+me??xx

What is your Dermatica prescription? X

 

[Kindred_]

What is your Dermatica prescription? X

I started in February and I’m on Adapalene 0.1% / Niacinamide 4% / Clindamycin 1% lotion

 

[Shineyshine]

How is everyone doing on their skin journey?

Dermatica absolutely calmed my skin down from a horrific break out I was having but I feel like I’ve hit a wall now with progress. My skin feels super smooth but I’m still getting mild breakouts and pores/blackheads are still really visible. I’m wondering whether to switch to skin+me??xx

I’d be really encouraged by the results you’ve had so far. I think maybe it’s worth giving it a few more months before you give up on Dermatica. Am I right in thinking you’ve only been on it since Feb? So you will be due your first review in a few weeks time, at which point you can discuss your results with them and change up your prescription if necessary. Or contact them now if you don’t want to wait. Any long term changes in the skin take months to happen, so you won’t see the improvements you’re looking for this quickly. I’d stick with it, and speak to them about it.

 

[Kindred_]

I’d be really encouraged by the results you’ve had so far. I think maybe it’s worth giving it a few more months before you give up on Dermatica. Am I right in thinking you’ve only been on it since Feb? So you will be due your first review in a few weeks time, at which point you can discuss your results with them and change up your prescription if necessary. Or contact them now if you don’t want to wait. Any long term changes in the skin take months to happen, so you won’t see the improvements you’re looking for this quickly. I’d stick with it, and speak to them about it.

Yes since February, can you tell I’m impatient my skin calmed down from a bad break out really quickly but since then I haven’t seen a change but I will stick with it and highlight this at my review!
do you know if they contact you for the review or do I need to?xx

 

[Shineyshine]

Yes since February, can you tell I’m impatient my skin calmed down from a bad break out really quickly but since then I haven’t seen a change but I will stick with it and highlight this at my review!
do you know if they contact you for the review or do I need to?xx

Yes they contact you and ask you to update your photos and answer a few questions, so you can tell them how you feel your treatment is going. They do this well before you get your fourth treatment sent out so that there’s time if the prescription is changed. I just had my first review a few weeks ago and I was pleased how it went. You could always give them a ring or send an email sooner if you want to ask them about your treatment though, if you feel it’s not working for you. There’s no harm in asking.

 

[pancakesandspice]

To echo what everyone has said. I've really got on very well with dermatica. They are very easily contactable and have adjusted my prescriptions whenever I have requested (initially prescribed adapalene, said I didn't want that and would prefer tret and they obliged, then when my skin improved I asked to drop the clindamycin). Get lots of compliments on my skin compared to the nightmare it was before. It's pricey but im also a cheapo so stretched it to refill every 50 days (rather than 30).

Prior to this I either purchased tret when in Europe over the counter direct by just walking into a pharmacy (no longer...thanks covid). I've also used the Andorran pharmacy online and never had problems with fraud but was always a little worried about authenticity.

 

[Chickenandgravy]

Not caught up on the full thread but feel for you guys, I spent so much money and time trying to sort my skin and the only thing that worked was roaccutane which is the isotretanoin , well worth doing!

 

[sleepflowers]

I have just done my first month using Dermatica tretinoin + hydroquinone, I've had breakouts and quite a bit of dry skin but it seems to be settling down now. Luckily I can wear a mask for most of the day to cover the worst of it!!

My prescription increases in strength so we'll see what happens. I'll give it a go for at least 6 months I think. I'll be really amazed if it makes the stubborn acne around my cheek/jaw go away. It's been there for years now I think and never faded completely. If this doesn't work, I think accutane is my only option left. Or another birth control pill as my hormones are out of wack anyway.

 

[pancakesandspice]

Just want to say.....roaccutane (oral tret) isn't the only option if you are a post-puberty aged woman. I had roaccutane as a teenager and whilst it worked well for many many years as an adult with a full time job I could not be arsed with the side effects, need for regular blood and pregnant tests.

Am currently on spironolactone which in combination with topical tret has been wonderful. It's an off licence use so needs to be prescribed by a dermatologist and have a very good GP who was happy to refer me and also excellent NHS derm who was happy to talk through *all* available options.

 

[Kindred_]

Yes I am so thankful for masks hiding all the side effects! It’s been a good time to start a skincare purge but even in lockdown I could not handle the tret purge oh my god, horrific.

I remember my friend being on roaccutane in our 20s and she had awful side effects but she was sooo happy to be on it and it was amazing for her skin. I think age wise I’m past that kind of skin treatment so I’m glad to have you guys recommend dermatica and finally have some relief from bad skin!

 

[Chickenandgravy]

Just want to say.....roaccutane (oral tret) isn't the only option if you are a post-puberty aged woman. I had roaccutane as a teenager and whilst it worked well for many many years as an adult with a full time job I could not be arsed with the side effects, need for regular blood and pregnant tests.

Am currently on spironolactone which in combination with topical tret has been wonderful. It's an off licence use so needs to be prescribed by a dermatologist and have a very good GP who was happy to refer me and also excellent NHS derm who was happy to talk through *all* available options.

Yeah it's definitely a bit of a slog being on roaccutane and the side effects are quite difficult at times, so yeah as you say explore other options also. Agree with you about being adult and full time job on it, I don't think I could manage if I had to take it now. Wonder drug but you have to put up with a lot!

 

[sleepflowers]

Just want to say.....roaccutane (oral tret) isn't the only option if you are a post-puberty aged woman. I had roaccutane as a teenager and whilst it worked well for many many years as an adult with a full time job I could not be arsed with the side effects, need for regular blood and pregnant tests.

Am currently on spironolactone which in combination with topical tret has been wonderful. It's an off licence use so needs to be prescribed by a dermatologist and have a very good GP who was happy to refer me and also excellent NHS derm who was happy to talk through *all* available options.

I have heard so many good things about spiro, I'm desperate to try it, but no doctor or derm will prescribe it to me! Even a private derm wouldn't give it to me...

 

[pancakesandspice]

I have heard so many good things about spiro, I'm desperate to try it, but no doctor or derm will prescribe it to me! Even a private derm wouldn't give it to me...

Unfortunately it's not yet NICE approved, although British association of Derm do recommend it, so is very dermatology dependent. Haven't had a problem with London derms (private and NHS)

 

[sleepflowers]

Unfortunately it's not yet NICE approved, although British association of Derm do recommend it, so is very dermatology dependent. Haven't had a problem with London derms (private and NHS)

Damn I must have chanced upon the London derm who doesn't prescribe it! I'm definitely going to look into if this prescription doesn't work. Apparently it's great for hormonal acne and excess hair growth which I also have (the most attractive combination going, as you can imagine)