Retin A - Dr. just prescribed - does ins. cover?

[lisaross]

Being that summer is here in a couple of months, i am only going to use the retin A on the side of my jaw where i'm getting bad acne. I am outside alot with the kids so i don't want to use it all over. If i have positive resuts, i will start using all over after the summer. If i only use it in one area will it my my entire face dry? I will use sunscreen daily, is ok to be in the sun then?

Originally Posted by kamom

I have been using Retin-A for a couple of years. Here are my suggestions:

Aquaphor lotion - I use it morning and night, it is a little greasy feeling - but has nothing in it to irrate your skin. I use just a little bit and then after a few minutes pat my face with a rag. Make-up goes on fine over it. Make sure you use it on your lips too, they will really dry out even though the cream doesn't go on them. I also found my eyelids dried out even though I never put the cream on them.

Baking soda - I used this as an exfoliator to get rid of the scaly. You can make it as gentle as you need. Just put a small amount in your hand and add as much water as you need to make it the consistency you want. Thicker = rougher. Works great, again - doesn't irrate the skin.

Sunscreen - Every single day! No exceptions!

I had amazing results with the Retin-A, but it does take quite a bit of time for your skin to get used to it. There were several times my face looked sunburnt. It is totally worth it to keep using it and get throught the bad days. My dermatologist also told me if it was really bothering me to put my moisturizer on before the Retin-A to thin it out.

I also stopped it about a week before I was going to be in the sun alot to prevent the burning. Of course, when you start back again - you go through an adjustment period.

Hope this helps.

[kamom]

Yes, it is OK to be in the sun with sunscreen - your face will just be more sensitive.

It will not just be the area that you are putting it on that will be affected. I eyelids and lips were affected too while my skin was getting used to it. If it was me - I would just go ahead and treat the whole face. The side effects don't last forever and it is worth it to have clear skin.

Also, there are different strengths of the cream. You might make sure your doctor has you on the lowest one to start out with.

[onescgirl]

I've been using Retin-A for over a year, but I still have flaking skin all of the time.
It's like I have to choose between the acne or flaking skin.
I only spot use the Retin-A too because of the flaking, but it still makes whole areas of my face flake. I thought it was crazy. I'm so glad to see this thread to see that this is common.
I do exfoliate, but just twice a week. Is this where I am going wrong? Do I need to exfoliate every day?
And, I'm always confused on the order that you apply products & when.
Do you wash face, apply Retin-A, then apply lotion or vise-versa?
And, do you use the Retin-A at night or in the morning before make-up or both?

[lisaross]

Originally Posted by kamom

Yes, it is OK to be in the sun with sunscreen - your face will just be more sensitive.

It will not just be the area that you are putting it on that will be affected. I eyelids and lips were affected too while my skin was getting used to it. If it was me - I would just go ahead and treat the whole face. The side effects don't last forever and it is worth it to have clear skin.

Also, there are different strengths of the cream. You might make sure your doctor has you on the lowest one to start out with.

I am on 0.04% micro gel. I am scared to use on my whole face until
I see how I react.

[lisaross]

I've been reading like crazy on the internet - i believe u should wash your face at night with a gentle cleanser like Ceravel then wait about 15 minutes to be sure your skin is totally dry - apply a pea size for the entire face then after another 20 minutes u can apply a moisturizer if needed.

Reading the internet has scared me a bit as i'm hearing so many negative things - like red flaky skin, acne getting much worse!

Did your face get worse before better with the acne?

Originally Posted by onescgirl

I've been using Retin-A for over a year, but I still have flaking skin all of the time.
It's like I have to choose between the acne or flaking skin.
I only spot use the Retin-A too because of the flaking, but it still makes whole areas of my face flake. I thought it was crazy. I'm so glad to see this thread to see that this is common.
I do exfoliate, but just twice a week. Is this where I am going wrong? Do I need to exfoliate every day?
And, I'm always confused on the order that you apply products & when.
Do you wash face, apply Retin-A, then apply lotion or vise-versa?
And, do you use the Retin-A at night or in the morning before make-up or both?

[lisaross]

My prescription was approved after my dr. called. - its only going to cost me $10 - not sure what size didn't pick it up yet. Crazy how its an expensive medicine - needed prior approval and it cost me 10 bucks yet other prescription meds cost 15. Anyway i am very grateful!

[CathrynRose]

Originally Posted by lisaross

i wonder why everyone does not order medicine from these sites. Do u need a prescription for the meds? i would assume so. do u just mail in the prescription? and how long does it take to receive?

I dunno. And no - the prescription is for the USA, not anywhere else. I have a prescription for what I order, but I don't need to show them anything.

Originally Posted by lisaross

Did your face get worse before better with the acne?

I, personally, don't care for it. It does "get worse before better".

That being said - the way I used, and my g/f uses it it first lotioning your face with a standard, no frills lotion, and then applying the Retin A.

Congrats on the approval. Acne isn't just cosmetic.

[onescgirl]

Originally Posted by lisaross

I've been reading like crazy on the internet - i believe u should wash your face at night with a gentle cleanser like Ceravel then wait about 15 minutes to be sure your skin is totally dry - apply a pea size for the entire face then after another 20 minutes u can apply a moisturizer if needed.

Reading the internet has scared me a bit as i'm hearing so many negative things - like red flaky skin, acne getting much worse!

Did your face get worse before better with the acne?

Thanks.

My face did not get worse before better. That may be because I use the lowest strength it comes in, 0.025%

I was prescribed a higher strength previously & it turned my skin red & burned liked crazy & was very painful! I tried to tough it out to see it got better, but I just couldn't tolerate it.

The only side effect I've had with the lower strength is just the flaky skin. And, in winter is when it's the most problem.

[tasha99]

I had no idea it was expensive! DD14 was prescribed it for his back (he's growing so fast that he's getting stretch marks). We had a $5 copay.

[lisaross]

What are the different strengths? is mine 0.04% considered a higher or lower dose?

thanks

[100AcreWood]

I used retin-a as a teen and started using it again two years ago (late 30s). I skip a day if my face starts to flake or get too red. I also use a clarisonic brush which is awesome! My acne is much better but hormones, greasy food and stress will make it worse. My biggest problem with using retin-a was finding a liquid foundation that worked for me. Everything I tried highlighted the dead skin on my face. I now use Costco's liquid foundation and it covers well. That's my only complaint about retin-a. Also, like pp's said, you need a moisturizer with SPF.

[lisaross]

During the day do u use a spf moisturizer or sunblock and a moisturizer. Which do u use that u like?

If i like the results from using it only on my jawline, then i will use in more areas of my face after the summer as i am an outside person and enjoy the beach in the summer.

I only used the Retin A one day so far and skipped yesterday - no redness at all - i will use tonight and then probably continue everyother night for the rest of the week to get use to it. How long did it take to see results - i've read "months"!

Thanks for all the feedback

[KristiKat]

I used Retin-A when I was a teen. It did help but like someone else mentioned you have to go through the break out and skin flaking stage first. I also ended up having to get acid peels done.
Beware of the sun. It makes your face extra sensitive to the sun. Make sure to where sunscreen and limit your time in the sun. You don't want to get rid of the breakouts only to end up with sunspots or worse.

[lisaross]

Both of these reasons are why i'm only using the Retin A on my jawline where i'm breaking out - because its getting warm and sunny here and i am out alot and also because i don't want my skin to get worse. I am also on an oral antibiotic and another face cream that i use in the morning...

Originally Posted by KristiKat

I used Retin-A when I was a teen. It did help but like someone else mentioned you have to go through the break out and skin flaking stage first. I also ended up having to get acid peels done.
Beware of the sun. It makes your face extra sensitive to the sun. Make sure to where sunscreen and limit your time in the sun. You don't want to get rid of the breakouts only to end up with sunspots or worse.

[mymeme]

Originally Posted by CathrynRose

I was also going to suggest an out of the country pharmacy. Unfortunately, the price of drugs in this country is ridiculous, with or without insurance. And I'm sick and tired of being prescribed something and having some clown at an insurance company decide I don't need that, and tells me some alternative.

For instance, I was prescribed Symbicort. The insurance calls my DR and questions whether or not I need it. They suggest others. (FTR, I love Symbicort. It's been, for me, the best asthma med, I've ever used) As the battle of the inhalers went on, I had to pay full price ($260) for my uncovered Symbicort.

Finally they agreed to pay for it. Well... sorta. I still have an $60 co-pay on it. This same inhaler, this same medication, in India - where there is no BS patent laws is.... **drum roll** $8. Eight bucks! So even with it "covered", it's cheaper out of the country.

Annnnnways - I use www.alldaychemist.com . (for 3 years, now)
Never had an ounce of bad luck, with them. I get a lot of stuff from them, and will continue to do so.

Every drug company they use, as their suppliers, are all genuine pharma companies used by the W.H.O. ANNNNNND the FDA.

P.S. ~ After paying $120/bottle for Latisse, I also began ordering CareProst from ADC.....for $10.

Thanks for posting this. I had been using MedsMex but alldaychemist is even better!! How long does it normally take to receive it after ordering?
Thanks