32 replies to this topic

[LIB]

I'm a young guy, early 20's. I've been using retin-a for about 1.5 years, along with a modest supplement regime, diet, exercise.

I plan on using retin for life, but just curious to see how much of a difference it makes after years of use?

[TheFountain]

I'm a young guy, early 20's. I've been using retin-a for about 1.5 years, along with a modest supplement regime, diet, exercise.

I plan on using retin for life, but just curious to see how much of a difference it makes after years of use?

Look up the user named Eva. She is 39 I think and has been using it since her early 20s I believe. idk how well her picture can be viewed but perhaps you can message her and ask her for better pictures.

[numbered]

November 2005 till now. i posted my pic in the "i have yet to see..." thread. I was using it every day. Now more like 2-3 times a week.

[Ron]

I'm a young guy, early 20's. I've been using retin-a for about 1.5 years, along with a modest supplement regime, diet, exercise.

I plan on using retin for life, but just curious to see how much of a difference it makes after years of use?

When I was researching it a couple months ago, I asked the opinion of several female friends who have many more years of experience with skin care than I. One does facial treatments for a living and was rated the best in my very large city last year (FWIW). The consensus seemed to be that while significant improvements are the norm in the beginning, long-term use (10+ years) makes the skin have an overly thin appearance. This is not scientific obviously, just passing along the anecdote.

[mustardseed41]

Google "Cher"....she's been using it forever. Of course the good ole doc is sure to be involved as well.
I'm 43 and have been using it for around 15 years. No wrinkles, plump skin.

Edited by mustardseed41, 30 December 2009 - 09:41 PM.

[mustardseed41]

I'm a young guy, early 20's. I've been using retin-a for about 1.5 years, along with a modest supplement regime, diet, exercise.

I plan on using retin for life, but just curious to see how much of a difference it makes after years of use?

When I was researching it a couple months ago, I asked the opinion of several female friends who have many more years of experience with skin care than I. One does facial treatments for a living and was rated the best in my very large city last year (FWIW). The consensus seemed to be that while significant improvements are the norm in the beginning, long-term use (10+ years) makes the skin have an overly thin appearance. This is not scientific obviously, just passing along the anecdote.

Tretinoin (retin-a) thins the epidermis and thickens the dermis. This is a good thing.

[Matt]

its the thickening of the epidermis that occurs with sun damage right? Seems to me that people with exposure to lots of sun have thick looking skin =/ Texture looks different.

[mustardseed41]

its the thickening of the epidermis that occurs with sun damage right? Seems to me that people with exposure to lots of sun have thick looking skin =/ Texture looks different.

While thickening of the epidermis may be a short-term effect of sun exposure, the eventual result will be exacerbation of the age-associated thinning.

http://www.telemedic...undam2.4.1.html

[Chaos Theory]

its the thickening of the epidermis that occurs with sun damage right? Seems to me that people with exposure to lots of sun have thick looking skin =/ Texture looks different.

The thickening of the epidermis and the tan that come along with it are adaptive mechanisms in response to UV exposure. The epidermis is dead skin, therefor less pliable. If sun exposure is avoided the extra dead layers of the epidermis will thin out, the skin will appear less tan, and it will become more pliable again.

I used retinol for a while. I think most of the effect people rave about is just the excessive thinning of the epidermis. You're completely stripping off the dead outer layer of skin. Yeah, your skin is now more pliable but you haven't changed what was underneath it. You've just exposed it to the elements.

Long-term, this epidermis thinning effect of retinoids does not seem like it would be in the best interest of preservation. You're intentionally removing the natural protective layer of skin.

[caston]

Long-term, this epidermis thinning effect of retinoids does not seem like it would be in the best interest of preservation. You're intentionally removing the natural protective layer of skin.

Doesn't a fresh new layer grow back though? Removing nasolabial lines and revealing a fresher younger looking you that dermatologists agree is safer from UV damage?

[mustardseed41]

its the thickening of the epidermis that occurs with sun damage right? Seems to me that people with exposure to lots of sun have thick looking skin =/ Texture looks different.

The thickening of the epidermis and the tan that come along with it are adaptive mechanisms in response to UV exposure. The epidermis is dead skin, therefor less pliable. If sun exposure is avoided the extra dead layers of the epidermis will thin out, the skin will appear less tan, and it will become more pliable again.

I used retinol for a while. I think most of the effect people rave about is just the excessive thinning of the epidermis. You're completely stripping off the dead outer layer of skin. Yeah, your skin is now more pliable but you haven't changed what was underneath it. You've just exposed it to the elements.

Long-term, this epidermis thinning effect of retinoids does not seem like it would be in the best interest of preservation. You're intentionally removing the natural protective layer of skin.

I suggest reading posts from Eva and Fredrik here about tretinoin. There's a reason it's thought of so highly by dermatologists.

[mustardseed41]

Long-term, this epidermis thinning effect of retinoids does not seem like it would be in the best interest of preservation. You're intentionally removing the natural protective layer of skin.

Doesn't a fresh new layer grow back though? Removing nasolabial lines and revealing a fresher younger looking you that dermatologists agree is safer from UV damage?

Removing nasolabial lines is wishful thinking with tretinoin. It does not make you safer from UV damage. It will make you more sensitive to UV rays unless you use proper sunscreens. Helps repair the daily damage that gets through your sunscreen.

[TheFountain]

Long-term, this epidermis thinning effect of retinoids does not seem like it would be in the best interest of preservation. You're intentionally removing the natural protective layer of skin.

Doesn't a fresh new layer grow back though? Removing nasolabial lines and revealing a fresher younger looking you that dermatologists agree is safer from UV damage?

Removing nasolabial lines is wishful thinking with tretinoin. It does not make you safer from UV damage. It will make you more sensitive to UV rays unless you use proper sunscreens. Helps repair the daily damage that gets through your sunscreen.

I disagree. I have seen people who have had major reductions in nasolabial folds after 2 years of using tretinoin. Can tretinoin help to PREVENT nasolabial folds? absolutely. Is it the only thing that can do so? I don't think so. Silicon, Hyaluranic acid, not having too much fat that can sag as you get older, all contribute to lacking nasolabial lines.

[mustardseed41]

Long-term, this epidermis thinning effect of retinoids does not seem like it would be in the best interest of preservation. You're intentionally removing the natural protective layer of skin.

Doesn't a fresh new layer grow back though? Removing nasolabial lines and revealing a fresher younger looking you that dermatologists agree is safer from UV damage?

Removing nasolabial lines is wishful thinking with tretinoin. It does not make you safer from UV damage. It will make you more sensitive to UV rays unless you use proper sunscreens. Helps repair the daily damage that gets through your sunscreen.

I disagree. I have seen people who have had major reductions in nasolabial folds after 2 years of using tretinoin. Can tretinoin help to PREVENT nasolabial folds? absolutely. Is it the only thing that can do so? I don't think so. Silicon, Hyaluranic acid, not having too much fat that can sag as you get older, all contribute to lacking nasolabial lines.

He said removing nasolabial lines not reducing nasolabial lines. BIG difference.

[TheFountain]

Long-term, this epidermis thinning effect of retinoids does not seem like it would be in the best interest of preservation. You're intentionally removing the natural protective layer of skin.

Doesn't a fresh new layer grow back though? Removing nasolabial lines and revealing a fresher younger looking you that dermatologists agree is safer from UV damage?

Removing nasolabial lines is wishful thinking with tretinoin. It does not make you safer from UV damage. It will make you more sensitive to UV rays unless you use proper sunscreens. Helps repair the daily damage that gets through your sunscreen.

I disagree. I have seen people who have had major reductions in nasolabial folds after 2 years of using tretinoin. Can tretinoin help to PREVENT nasolabial folds? absolutely. Is it the only thing that can do so? I don't think so. Silicon, Hyaluranic acid, not having too much fat that can sag as you get older, all contribute to lacking nasolabial lines.

He said removing nasolabial lines not reducing nasolabial lines. BIG difference.

Obviously tretinoin is better for prevention and reduction than complete removal. For the latter you would have to go with a dermal filler. Research shows that some dermal fillers eventually stimulate collagen growth so you tend to need them less and less.

[caston]

Once when I was about 7 years old I was at school and I had a loose baby tooth. One of the mothers said it wasn't yet ready to come out today and it wouldn't be loose enough to come out for another couple of days. So I was pretty determined to prove her wrong. I tugged at it and tugged at it and tugged at it some more. Finally after a couple of hours of this it was ready to come out. I happily showed it to the woman.

She knew exactly what I had done though and thought it was amusing.

Anyway perhaps some of us respond to people going "you can't cure aging" and do things like start using retinoids. They most likely do almost nothing in terms of helping us cure aging but for some reason we want to just to say "I proved you wrong, look at me I'm 29 and I get mistaken for 18!" to the nay sayers.

Edited by caston, 05 January 2010 - 06:36 AM.

[Luna]

Once when I was about 7 years old I was at school and I had a loose baby tooth. One of the mothers said it wasn't yet ready to come out today and it wouldn't be loose enough to come out for another couple of days. So I was pretty determined to prove her wrong. I tugged at it and tugged at it and tugged at it some more. Finally after a couple of hours of this it was ready to come out. I happily showed it to the woman.

She knew exactly what I had done though and thought it was amusing.

Anyway perhaps some of us respond to people going "you can't cure aging" and do things like start using retinoids. They most likely do almost nothing in terms of helping us cure aging but for some reason we want to just to say "I proved you wrong, look at me I'm 29 and I get mistaken for 18!" to the nay sayers.

that's funny! ^^

But on the last sentence, it doesn't really help if you still die, and to make it worse just for the sake of life extension (but actually not worse because dying is just worse than all period), if you still die at average or above average but still "normal" age .. we want to keep going :/

[Chaos Theory]

Doesn't a fresh new layer grow back though? Removing nasolabial lines and revealing a fresher younger looking you that dermatologists agree is safer from UV damage?

If you are continuously using the retinoid then you will continue to remove the outer layers of dead skin.

My observation was that using retinol regularly and using sunscreen still left me far more sensitive to sunlight than simply not using the retinol and having the protective epidermis intact. I also tan well and never burn. Maybe a fare skinned person who easily burns anyway would not notice so much of a difference when using a retinoid.

I'm not arguing the capabilities of retinoids in collagen production. I do question the logic of making the skin more susceptible to what is by far the greatest cause of damage, sunlight.

[Logan]

Long-term, this epidermis thinning effect of retinoids does not seem like it would be in the best interest of preservation. You're intentionally removing the natural protective layer of skin.

Doesn't a fresh new layer grow back though? Removing nasolabial lines and revealing a fresher younger looking you that dermatologists agree is safer from UV damage?

Removing nasolabial lines is wishful thinking with tretinoin. It does not make you safer from UV damage. It will make you more sensitive to UV rays unless you use proper sunscreens. Helps repair the daily damage that gets through your sunscreen.

I disagree. I have seen people who have had major reductions in nasolabial folds after 2 years of using tretinoin. Can tretinoin help to PREVENT nasolabial folds? absolutely. Is it the only thing that can do so? I don't think so. Silicon, Hyaluranic acid, not having too much fat that can sag as you get older, all contribute to lacking nasolabial lines.

He said removing nasolabial lines not reducing nasolabial lines. BIG difference.

Obviously tretinoin is better for prevention and reduction than complete removal. For the latter you would have to go with a dermal filler. Research shows that some dermal fillers eventually stimulate collagen growth so you tend to need them less and less.

Yeah I heard that radiesse dermal filler might stimulate collagen growth over time. It also lasts about twice as long as other fillers.

There are also procedures where you use your own fat to fill in certain areas. I'm not sure how well this works or how long it lasts. I know it lasts much much longer than fillers, maybe several years.

[Eva Victoria]

I'm a young guy, early 20's. I've been using retin-a for about 1.5 years, along with a modest supplement regime, diet, exercise.

I plan on using retin for life, but just curious to see how much of a difference it makes after years of use?

Look up the user named Eva. She is 39 I think and has been using it since her early 20s I believe. idk how well her picture can be viewed but perhaps you can message her and ask her for better pictures.

Well, thank you, Fontain. But I have "only" used Retin-A since the age of 29. Go to Facebook, there is a better pix. taken at Christmas 2009.

[TheFountain]

I'm a young guy, early 20's. I've been using retin-a for about 1.5 years, along with a modest supplement regime, diet, exercise.

I plan on using retin for life, but just curious to see how much of a difference it makes after years of use?

Look up the user named Eva. She is 39 I think and has been using it since her early 20s I believe. idk how well her picture can be viewed but perhaps you can message her and ask her for better pictures.

Well, thank you, Fontain. But I have "only" used Retin-A since the age of 29. Go to Facebook, there is a better pix. taken at Christmas 2009.

Apologies I thought I remember you mentioning having used it since your earlier 20s. Maybe I got Retin-A confused with sunblock?

I am afraid I do not know your facebook page my friend. You don't have to share it if it would make you feel violated.

[Eva Victoria]

I'm a young guy, early 20's. I've been using retin-a for about 1.5 years, along with a modest supplement regime, diet, exercise.

I plan on using retin for life, but just curious to see how much of a difference it makes after years of use?

I would not recommend you to start using Retin-A just yet unless you suffer from Acne.
You should use a broad spectrum sunscreen preferably with ZnO (and/or Tinosorb M) every day.
Later, about the age of 30 you could introduce Retin-A (PM) and a good anti-oxidant serum (AM) into your regime.
The reason is for this is because you are still very young with your skin naturally in peak functioning without the need of any additional aid. Prevention is the key, remember.
If you "overdo it" adding extra "help" to your skin, you'll only achieve disturbing its natural delicate balance. And when you'll be older and you actually need a helping hand, these potions won't work because of the over usage earlier which might result in that your skin has gotten useto it and now it does not have any effect.

Another thought about nasal-labial folds is that when the skin start loosing its underlying fatty layer and hence the skin starts to sag it'll make these folds deeper. No creams can help against that. (It is suggested that regular sunscreen use and sun avoidance have preventative effect against the depletion of the fat cells in the Hypodermis). Only fillers and most importantly eating enough!

Edited by Eva Victoria, 16 January 2010 - 05:38 PM.

[miklu]

I would not recommend you to start using Retin-A just yet unless you suffer from Acne . . . when you'll be older and you actually need a helping hand, these potions won't work because of the over usage earlier which might result in that your skin has gotten useto it and now it does not have any effect.

I assume the problem of skin getting used to Retin-A would remain even if it was taken for a good cause (e.g., early-adulthood acne). Would it therefore be better to use a milder retinoid (e.g., Differin) for early-adulthood acne, and only switch to Retin-A (for anti-aging purposes) later?

[Gerald W. Gaston]

Go to Facebook, there is a better pix. taken at Christmas 2009.

Good pic there Eva.

I haven't been keeping up. Are you still working on your own line of sunscreen?

[Eva Victoria]

I would not recommend you to start using Retin-A just yet unless you suffer from Acne . . . when you'll be older and you actually need a helping hand, these potions won't work because of the over usage earlier which might result in that your skin has gotten useto it and now it does not have any effect.

I assume the problem of skin getting used to Retin-A would remain even if it was taken for a good cause (e.g., early-adulthood acne). Would it therefore be better to use a milder retinoid (e.g., Differin) for early-adulthood acne, and only switch to Retin-A (for anti-aging purposes) later?

It is indeed a very good idea!

[Eva Victoria]

Go to Facebook, there is a better pix. taken at Christmas 2009.

Good pic there Eva.

I haven't been keeping up. Are you still working on your own line of sunscreen?

Thanks. And yes. I am working a lot and the more I work on it the more complicated it gets

[Ali]

I'm a young guy, early 20's. I've been using retin-a for about 1.5 years, along with a modest supplement regime, diet, exercise.

I plan on using retin for life, but just curious to see how much of a difference it makes after years of use?

Look up the user named Eva. She is 39 I think and has been using it since her early 20s I believe. idk how well her picture can be viewed but perhaps you can message her and ask her for better pictures.

Well, thank you, Fontain. But I have "only" used Retin-A since the age of 29. Go to Facebook, there is a better pix. taken at Christmas 2009.

Eva are you wearing blue jeans in your facebook pic? theres like 210 people named eva victoria

[Gerald W. Gaston]

Eva are you wearing blue jeans in your facebook pic? theres like 210 people named eva victoria

Based on her location (Norway) as stated in her profile, you should find her with a more direct search of 'Eva Victoria Sandnes'. Nice picture Eva. You look great to me.

[miklu]

By the way, how do you people get retinoid prescriptions, assuming you have no existing skin conditions (e.g., acne or photodamage)? Pardon my cynicism, but I don't believe physicians exactly enjoy the reasoning "I read on the Internet that it has anti-aging properties".

Edited by miklu, 19 January 2010 - 07:25 AM.

[Luna]

I think most of them buy it without prescriptions