Tretinoin

[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!

 

[Shineyshine]

I’m so glad that you’ve had some encouraging results @Kindred_ and I hope you do too @sleepflowers ! I just did my first 3 month review consultation today and I’m still very happy. I love having such a simple skincare routine and it’s saving me a fortune - I’m no longer wanting to buy every new serum and cream that comes on the market

 

[sleepflowers]

Ah I knew there must be a catch, the bank transfer thing does indeed sound dodgy. Thanks for the heads up! I think I'll try Dermatica at some point. I use Aknemycin atm which has some tretinoin but not a lot so something stronger might work.

 

[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_]

Thank you to everyone who recommended dermatica! I’ve been using it for a month and my skin is finally calming down! Yay!

 

[The Dowager]

Oh heck, please don't use tret without a prescription. If you're in the UK try Dermatica or Skin + Me, who'll issue the appropriate prescribed product (which may not be tret).

I'm currently having a break from tret, but used it for about 7 months with no major problems. I had some peeling and dry patches but it was worth it for the improvement in texture, fine lines and glow. I'll be starting my Dermatica subscription again in a couple of months.

 

[Lhm87]

I’ve been using skin + me tret for 3months and my skin is worse than it has ever been. I am through the dry patches stage but my skin is still purging so badly. I’ve broken out in cystic acne on my cheeks, jaw line and forehead. They’re so painful, I’m giving up on tret now. I’ve cancelled my subscription now.

I hope you get on better with it than I did

I had this for about 4/5 months but now my skin is perfect. No spots at all and I’ve maintained this for 4 months. it was worth persevering with. I use skin + me tretinoin 0.06% with 4% niacinamide and 4% Azelaic Acid. I used dermatica before but prefer Skin + Me as their doses are measures.

Has anyone used 'pharmacy' sites like this one?

Retino-A Cream (Tretinoin) - 0.05% (20g Tube) - United Pharmacies (UK)

Retino-A (Tretinoin) is a topical form of vitamin A which is applied to the skin to treat acne. It works by affecting the growth of cells in the skin, and helps to heal acne pimples and rejuvenate the skin. Some patients use this product to help reduce fine wrinkles and to improve the overall...

www.unitedpharmacies-uk.md

Quite a few have come up when I google it. Seems too good to be true? I think it's coming from abroad but it only comes to around £20 with postage...

no, it’s a prescription drug so would only consider buying it from a reputable source. There are plenty of places you can get it legitimately for about £20.

 

[Shineyshine]

Try Dermatica - some of us Tattlers are boycotting Skin + Me (dodgy advertising by Sali Hughes and Nadine Baggott!). In fairness they’re very similar. I signed up to Dermatica recently and so far so good. They analyse your skin, do an online consultation and prepare a prescription accordingly. Mine is tretinoin plus niacinamide. You can stop / pause any time you like.

 

[Kindred_]

Yes I think so - I'm quite pale and I've got lots of blotchy red marks from previous breakouts, so it will be great if it can fade them.
Just got home and my cream has arrived! Excited to try it.

Yay perfect timing! Good luck and I’ll look forward to your update!xx

 

[Kindred_]

This is so good to hear, I just signed up for it the other day! I'm getting tretinoin and hydroquinone, which I've never tried before!

Oooo exciting! Is the second one for redness and skin tone?

I’m on Adapalene 0.1% / Niacinamide 4% / Clindamycin 1% lotion. It’s cleared up my skin so much. I just have those frustrating little pimples that are under the skin! I really hope they improve too!

 

[Kindred_]

I thought you weren’t able to buy it, it had to be prescribed through a doctor. I bought mine off Depop

 

[NoMoreSpotlight]

I’m really interested in people’s experience too.

Can I ask how much the Dermatica subscription is or how it works?! Do you pay for a consult and for your product separately etc?

Thank you!

 

[sleepflowers]

Oooo exciting! Is the second one for redness and skin tone?

I’m on Adapalene 0.1% / Niacinamide 4% / Clindamycin 1% lotion. It’s cleared up my skin so much. I just have those frustrating little pimples that are under the skin! I really hope they improve too!

Yes I think so - I'm quite pale and I've got lots of blotchy red marks from previous breakouts, so it will be great if it can fade them.
Just got home and my cream has arrived! Excited to try it.

 

[Shineyshine]

Where would you suggest purchasing from?

I posted further up thread, I signed up to Dermatica in November and so far so good. To me, it’s more expensive but I’d rather buy on prescription from a dermatologist, then at least if you have any problems help is at hand. Buying from an overseas online pharmacy you don’t know what you’re potentially getting, and if you have a reaction or worse, who would you turn to?

With Dermatica you can adjust the frequency of your prescription, so if you only use your tretinoin every other night and your prescription lasts 2 months, you’ll only be paying £11 a month. So it can end up more affordable. Plus you’re not using any other fancy skin creams, so you’re saving money there too.

You can cancel any time you like as well.

I don’t work for Dermatica btw

 

[Bonnie Bisou]

Has anyone used 'pharmacy' sites like this one?

Retino-A Cream (Tretinoin) - 0.05% (20g Tube) - United Pharmacies (UK)

Retino-A (Tretinoin) is a topical form of vitamin A which is applied to the skin to treat acne. It works by affecting the growth of cells in the skin, and helps to heal acne pimples and rejuvenate the skin. Some patients use this product to help reduce fine wrinkles and to improve the overall...

www.unitedpharmacies-uk.md

Quite a few have come up when I google it. Seems too good to be true? I think it's coming from abroad but it only comes to around £20 with postage...

Yes, right back when I started on Tattle someone mentioned a site to purchase but they wanted a direct bank transfer and it kinda put me off....let me look back and see if I can find more details

I’d read the reviews and decide but if you go ahead and it works out fine please let me know x

 

[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!

 

[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!

 

[Kindred_]

Thinking of trying a bit on my face, do you think it would be ok? View attachment 388491

Assuming your face looks like a foot, yes do it ASAP

 

[Kindred_]

Might be a long shot but does anybody have experience with this?

I have an unopened tube in my drawer that I have been putting off using because;

1. I’ll have to give up my Obagi skincare system and use plain cleansers and
2. The inevitable purging.

I think it’s time to bite the bullet!

Any experience or advice is welcome..!