22 replies to this topic

[TheFountain]

It seems to be the least popular of all Retinoids but the most gentle. In my research I see that the weakest form is equivalent to 0.25% tretinoin. I also see that it is not degraded by sun exposure, thus the irritation concerns (which doesn't mean sunscreen still should not be worn). I also see that studies show it does significantly improve moderately photodamaged skin. So what is the consensus on imminst on Adapalene Gel? Please base comments on research and experience if possible. Opinions are welcome but please note that it is just an opinion and not scientific fact when doing so.

Edited by TheFountain, 06 December 2009 - 01:25 AM.

[immortali457]

I was gonna comment till I read the last sentence.

[TheFountain]

I was gonna comment till

But you did comment.

Edited by TheFountain, 06 December 2009 - 03:25 AM.

[TheFountain]

Hola!

[sentrysnipe]

Then get the Rx for 0.1 adapalene or get retin-a already. Is there a dilemma? It has minimal side effects because of the exact facts you just mentioned, it is less potent than tretinoin.

[TheFountain]

Then get the Rx for 0.1 adapalene or get retin-a already. Is there a dilemma? It has minimal side effects because of the exact facts you just mentioned, it is less potent than tretinoin.

No dilemma I was just wondering what people think about it. I've been using retin-a for about 8 months so far but still experience a little redness sometimes with it and figured moving to Adapalene would eliminate that while still providing photodamage prevention.

[Skötkonung]

Then get the Rx for 0.1 adapalene or get retin-a already. Is there a dilemma? It has minimal side effects because of the exact facts you just mentioned, it is less potent than tretinoin.

No dilemma I was just wondering what people think about it. I've been using retin-a for about 8 months so far but still experience a little redness sometimes with it and figured moving to Adapalene would eliminate that while still providing photodamage prevention.

Would you say the retin-a has improved the texture / firmness of your skin?

[TheFountain]

Then get the Rx for 0.1 adapalene or get retin-a already. Is there a dilemma? It has minimal side effects because of the exact facts you just mentioned, it is less potent than tretinoin.

No dilemma I was just wondering what people think about it. I've been using retin-a for about 8 months so far but still experience a little redness sometimes with it and figured moving to Adapalene would eliminate that while still providing photodamage prevention.

Would you say the retin-a has improved the texture / firmness of your skin?

When the redness has cleared, yes. But I was not old or rugged looking to begin with. But when my skin tone is not pinkish or red from the tretinoin, definitely.

[sentrysnipe]

Then get the Rx for 0.1 adapalene or get retin-a already. Is there a dilemma? It has minimal side effects because of the exact facts you just mentioned, it is less potent than tretinoin.

No dilemma I was just wondering what people think about it. I've been using retin-a for about 8 months so far but still experience a little redness sometimes with it and figured moving to Adapalene would eliminate that while still providing photodamage prevention.

Oh, my bad! Have you tried other molecules (lactic acid, TCA, hyaluronic)? Also, do you use dermaroller along with it? Having 660nm red and yellow LED photodynamic therapy panels are also a good long-term investment in conjunction with the topical agents http://www.theledman.net/order.html

[TheFountain]

Then get the Rx for 0.1 adapalene or get retin-a already. Is there a dilemma? It has minimal side effects because of the exact facts you just mentioned, it is less potent than tretinoin.

No dilemma I was just wondering what people think about it. I've been using retin-a for about 8 months so far but still experience a little redness sometimes with it and figured moving to Adapalene would eliminate that while still providing photodamage prevention.

Oh, my bad! Have you tried other molecules (lactic acid, TCA, hyaluronic)? Also, do you use dermaroller along with it? Having 660nm red and yellow LED photodynamic therapy panels are also a good long-term investment in conjunction with the topical agents http://www.theledman.net/order.html

I use Topical Niacinamide, Eucerin redness relief and am going to try some Hydroquinone to see how this does in terms of evening out my complexion. A dermaroller seems interesting but ultimately not a priority right now. Maybe if I was 35 or so.

[kirtap]

I used it 7-8 years ago (as "Differin") for blackheads and it worked quite well for that purpose. As for photosensitivity it definitely made an impact, i easily burnt in the sun compared to previously.

[TheFountain]

I used it 7-8 years ago (as "Differin") for blackheads and it worked quite well for that purpose. As for photosensitivity it definitely made an impact, i easily burnt in the sun compared to previously.

I thought differin is suppose to be photostable. Was there a previous, less photostable version?

[kismet]

The best retinoid review:
Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(4):327-48.Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety.
Mukherjee S, Date A, Patravale V, Korting HC, Roeder A, Weindl G.
http://www.pubmedcen...bmedid=18046911

Fredrik mentioned something about activating all receptors by the use of taz and occasional tretinoin (or vice versa?) Hence I am not sure if receptor specifity of adapalene is a feature or a bug. OTOH, I don't care much about adapalene, the research on tretinoin and perhaps taz is more solid so I don't feel like looking into a potentially inferior product. I'd only use it if you can't tolerate the other ones..

[TheFountain]

The best retinoid review:
Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(4):327-48.Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety.
Mukherjee S, Date A, Patravale V, Korting HC, Roeder A, Weindl G.
http://www.pubmedcen...bmedid=18046911

Fredrik mentioned something about activating all receptors by the use of taz and occasional tretinoin (or vice versa?) Hence I am not sure if receptor specifity of adapalene is a feature or a bug. OTOH, I don't care much about adapalene, the research on tretinoin and perhaps taz is more solid so I don't feel like looking into a potentially inferior product. I'd only use it if you can't tolerate the other ones..

Well my whole point for considering the use of adapalene is that tretinoin and tazorac make my skin redish. I want my skin white, not red. I might continue to use tretinoin in conjunction with hydroquinone though as I heard that the two together have a whitening effect. Or I might take it twice a week and adapalene the rest of the days.

[niner]

I don't think that hydroquinone will decrease the redness. It is a skin bleaching agent that would take out your melanin. I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me if it made the redness worse instead of better. i.e., it might itself be irritating. I think you might have better luck getting rid of the redness with a mild steroid, like hydrocortisone. It's safe for occasional use, but don't go nuts with it, as it could lead to skin thinning with constant long term use. As always, use the lowest concentration that's effective.

[Skötkonung]

I don't think that hydroquinone will decrease the redness. It is a skin bleaching agent that would take out your melanin. I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me if it made the redness worse instead of better. i.e., it might itself be irritating. I think you might have better luck getting rid of the redness with a mild steroid, like hydrocortisone. It's safe for occasional use, but don't go nuts with it, as it could lead to skin thinning with constant long term use. As always, use the lowest concentration that's effective.

This is an interesting excerpt from Wikipedia:
"Because of hydroquinone's action on the skin, it can be irritant, particularly in higher concentrations of 4% or greater and predictably when combined with tretinoin. Some medications have been created that combine 4% hydroquinone with tretinoin and a form of cortisone. The cortisone is included as an anti-inflammatory. The negative side effect of repeated application of cortisone is countered by the positive effect of the tretinoin so that it does not cause thinning of skin and damage to collagen."

[TheFountain]

I read a study recently that indicated the combination of adapalene and HQ accelerates de-pigmentation and presumably since it is less of an irritant than tretinoin, redness as well.

[tintinet]

Although the risk is probably low, hydroquinone use may result in exogenous ochronosis.

Edited by tintinet, 15 December 2009 - 02:30 PM.

[kirtap]

I used it 7-8 years ago (as "Differin") for blackheads and it worked quite well for that purpose. As for photosensitivity it definitely made an impact, i easily burnt in the sun compared to previously.

I thought differin is suppose to be photostable. Was there a previous, less photostable version?

Sorry for the delay in answering! Don't know about that, now when I think about it I also used another product at the same time called dalacin which might have caused me to burn more easily. Anyway, I went from being quite sun-tolereant to getting red after low doses of sunshine

[TheFountain]

Although the risk is probably low, hydroquinone use may result in exogenous ochronosis.

Mainly in dark skinned people.

[TheFountain]

I used it 7-8 years ago (as "Differin") for blackheads and it worked quite well for that purpose. As for photosensitivity it definitely made an impact, i easily burnt in the sun compared to previously.

I thought differin is suppose to be photostable. Was there a previous, less photostable version?

Sorry for the delay in answering! Don't know about that, now when I think about it I also used another product at the same time called dalacin which might have caused me to burn more easily. Anyway, I went from being quite sun-tolereant to getting red after low doses of sunshine

Yea I am pretty sure many people are being told to wear it twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

[tintinet]

Although the risk is probably low, hydroquinone use may result in exogenous ochronosis.

Mainly in dark skinned people.

Perhaps because they use it the most?

[TheFountain]

Although the risk is probably low, hydroquinone use may result in exogenous ochronosis.

Mainly in dark skinned people.

Perhaps because they use it the most?

No, because they have more melanin in the skin, thus experience more of a rebound effect. I take it this effect is related somehow to this rebound in Melanin production.