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

[CathrynRose]

Good greif! Until reading this thread, I had no idea Retin-A was so pricey.

Here:

https://www.alldaychemist.com/manufacturer.php?id_manufacturer=568

 

[Wailea]

Indeed alldaychemist is great. The generic Retin-A is less than $5! Shipping is quite pricey so it's best to order several tubes at a time.

I have been using the generic Retin-A cream on my face for 6 months. I was told the cream is less drying than the gel. After the initial peel, my skin is now smooth, bright, and has a natural glow. A good sunscreen is a must though!
Also, when I know I'm going to be in the sun for an extended period of time (cruise or WDW vacation), I stop using the cream about a week prior to be on the safe side.

 

[CathrynRose]

Indeed alldaychemist is great. The generic Retin-A is less than $5! Shipping is quite pricey so it's best to order several tubes at a time.

.

Yes, thanks for mentioning. I forgot that part.

I kinda "stock up", if you will. I ask my friends if they need anything. I order ibuprofen, zyrtec, antacid. I like their glycolic acid cream, my g/f likes the retin-a .... I just get a bunch of stuff I use anyways, and it takes the sting out of the $25 shipping charge.

Thanks for reminding about that shipping ! I'm actually waiting on a order, as I type.

P.S. ~ Their generic zyrtec is the BEST allergy pill, I've ever used (next to the long gone Seldane. RIP). For me, it works so so so good.

 

[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?

 

[scootch]

Thanks for the site. Do u mail them the prescription?

I caved and used it tonight. I only put in on the side of my jaw line where i'm breaking out - just to get a feel for it.

Yes, I am pretty sure I just mailed it. I was worreid about paying with my credit card, but it was so much cheaper. They call you to tell you that they got the prescription and when to expect it. It actually ships from a different country, can't remember now where.... but it is legit stuff, even showed to my dermatologist.

 

[lisaross]

Thanks for the great info everyone!

My dr. is calling in to my insurance to get the Retin A approved - so i guess i'll see if its approved and then how much it will cost!

Those using Retin A, what moisturizer do u use during the day?

Also used the Retin A last night just on my jaw area - no redness or anything this morning...guess i'll use again tonight instead of skipping a night!

 

[leahjade]

My dr. is calling in to my insurance to get the Retin A approved

This is why health insurance is so costly. This is for cosmetic reasons so why should all health insurance customers have to pay for this (and we do with higher premiums!). I have a friend who has her doctor prescribe massages for stress so her health care insurer has to pay them as well. There has to be a limit to what is paid for by insurance and if you want something cosmetic badly enough then pay for it yourself!

 

[lisaross]

NO, i was prescribed Retin A to treat my cystic acne!

This is why health insurance is so costly. This is for cosmetic reasons so why should all health insurance customers have to pay for this (and we do with higher premiums!). I have a friend who has her doctor prescribe massages for stress so her health care insurer has to pay them as well. There has to be a limit to what is paid for by insurance and if you want something cosmetic badly enough then pay for it yourself!

 

[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.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I use this and this

I bought this a few days ago and it's already making a huge difference in my nasty chin acne. I ordered this and it should arrive today.

 

[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?

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]

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?

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]

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.

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]

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