Question 1

i use a pricey .03% retinol cream on my face. would the benefits be the same if i mixed generic tretinoin cream with a moisturizer?

Accepted Answer

Difficult to say: Not all moisturizers are equal and you should use a non-comedogenic mositurizer. Furthermore not all delivery vehicles or preparations are equivalent. Microspheres allows a time release effect that is more gentle on skin. Furthermore separation of the two components allows you to increase the potency as you build tolerance. I am a fan of the component approach albeit the inconvenience.

Question 2

is it safe to use tretinoin cream.01% long-term? have used for 10 years...great skin.  also curious whether it counts toward my daily vitamin a?

Accepted Answer

Should be fine: I know of no complications from long term use of tretinoin cream.  There isn't significant absorption through the skin so it is doubtful that it will decrease you daily intake needs for vitamin a.

Question 3

is it safe to use tretinoin cream.01% long-term? have used for 10 years...great skin.  also curious whether it counts toward my daily vitamin a, as i have uncommonly dense bones...+3 at 53 years old?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes it is safe to use retin-a. You are getting your vitamin a from your diet. Don't forget to keep up the sun protection.

Question 4

i read that accutane can cause hair loss due to vitamin a, but that topical tretinoin  cream can cause hair regrowth. how does this make sense?

Accepted Answer

It doesn't: Because this is not the case, may be with some anecdotal cases, but not the norm or a common effect or side effect, the drug works on the sebaceous glands not the hair follicles.

Question 5

how effective is tretinoin retinol cream for acne?

Accepted Answer

First  choice: Tretinoin is generally the first prescription based choice for acne.  It is very effective.

Question 6

is cerave retinol serum from your local drugstore over the counter the same in terms of concentration/effectiveness of a prescription tretinoin/retinol cream from your dermatologist? whats the difference? thank you! (which i never get to say here?

Accepted Answer

: It's estimated that it only contains 0.01 % of retinol. The prescription strength is much stronger. The weakest prescription for it contains 0.25% and increases up to 1% retinol.

Question 7

after cleansing, dead oily skin sorta rubbed off, it was sticky, didn't come off easy. looked kind like that thick tretinoin cream mixed with skin. ?

Accepted Answer

Foam wash: Use a foam wash especially made for acne type skin to use for cleansing your skin.

Question 8

my tretinoin cream expired april 2013. should i stop using it?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Expired medications will not achieve ideal  therapeutic goals ,

Question 9

can i apply tretinoin cream in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Maybe,maybe not: The absorption of topical tretinoin is minimal if at all & references list it as a category c , meaning relatively safe. However, you may want to limit it's use or find an alternative.

Question 10

how can i wean myself off of tretinoin cream?

Accepted Answer

Can stop tretinoin: You can just stop using tretinoin. There is no reason to wean off of the treatment. Make sure that you replace it with a good pm moisturizer to maintain hydration of your skin and continue with the rest of your skincare regimen.

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Doctor answers about:

Tretinoin cream vs retinol

A member asked:

I use a pricey .03% retinol cream on my face. would the benefits be the same if i mixed generic tretinoin cream with a moisturizer?

A member asked:

Is it safe to use tretinoin cream.01% long-term? have used for 10 years...great skin. also curious whether it counts toward my daily vitamin a?

A member asked:

Is it safe to use tretinoin cream.01% long-term? have used for 10 years...great skin. also curious whether it counts toward my daily vitamin a, as i have uncommonly dense bones...+3 at 53 years old?

A member asked:

I read that accutane can cause hair loss due to vitamin a, but that topical tretinoin cream can cause hair regrowth. how does this make sense?

A member asked:

How effective is tretinoin retinol cream for acne?

A member asked:

Is cerave retinol serum from your local drugstore over the counter the same in terms of concentration/effectiveness of a prescription tretinoin/retinol cream from your dermatologist? whats the difference? thank you! (which i never get to say here?

A member asked:

After cleansing, dead oily skin sorta rubbed off, it was sticky, didn't come off easy. looked kind like that thick tretinoin cream mixed with skin. ?

A member asked:

My tretinoin cream expired april 2013. should i stop using it?

A member asked:

Can i apply tretinoin cream in pregnancy?

A member asked:

How can i wean myself off of tretinoin cream?

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