Which Retinoid, & which strength should you choose, and WHY???

[@dtraveler3080]

Our facial contours are similar. I agree wholeheartedly here with you. It’s better to take a break and wait before things get worse and perhaps begin again with a lesser percentage. But the results are beautiful.

[@schristinef6352]

I'm in my 50s and have been using Retin A on and off since my 20s (originally for acne!). Despite this long term use....I've learned so much NEW information just from a few of your videos!! So helpful! Thanks!

[@theocbeautymd]

Thank you so much. I love hearing personal stories. Tret is really a fountain of youth!

[@evaweissmann1983]

Another very informative video ❤️ Your knowledge and explanation is amazing. Thank you ❤️

[@theocbeautymd]

I'm glad you found it useful ❤

[@erikaneves7767]

Have you ever noticed looking tan after retinol use? What does that mean? Using ZO wrinkle + texture and love it, no redness or flaking and I use 1-2 pumps every night.

[@theocbeautymd]

no, but if skin is inflamed and irritated, it could hyperpigment.

[@mimimoon6082]

Thanks for a great video and helpful information!! I'll try my tretinoin tonight and will stick to every 3 days. I appreciate this video very much. Thanks Dr. Ania Marie! ❤️🥰

[@theocbeautymd]

If you get irritated from it, use half or a quarter of what you were using before.

[@jolcik1237]

Great video

[@theocbeautymd]

Thank you! 😘

[@kathystclair9485]

I have been on tretinoin for many years (.05). In the past year and half we have bumped it to .01 but I do not think I would be able to do the 1 gram nightly. Going on 3 years now my derm put me on 5-FU for a 3 week regime since she found a couple small basil cells on my face and froze them off. The 5-FU was to prevent anything under the skin that could not be seen with the naked eye. It damaged the skin barrier on my chin. It looked like raw meat. Called the nurse 2 weeks in and she said try to finish the 3 weeks. I did and it was a mistake, even according to my derm. Said the nurse should have known better. If I leave it alone now, it is decent, but if I try to use actives or tretinoin on the chin I get red and flake. That's been a disappointment. Though I am 66 I do not have static wrinkles except I am now noticing a couple along the chin area. I believe not using tretinoin for 3 years is the cause of that. I have never had to deal with melasma, I no longer have any sunspots or brown pigmentation. My skin is very clear. Forgive me for going into so much of my skin history, but after seeing this video would a damaged skin barrier as I have on my chin be considered inflammatory or if I pushed through with my tretinoin would eventually heal the inflammation the same as you were mentioning with the rosacea? Thank you in advance if you see this and can give your input. Love your channel and your hair looks so pretty.

[@theocbeautymd]

I'm so sorry to hear that! 5FU is really hard on the skin. It's honestly so hard to speak as to what is best for you in this situation. I would suggest getting a second and third opinion. I wish I could help 🌸

[@kathystclair9485]

@@theocbeautymd Thank you for your reply. I do not think I can ever go through that again. Have a blessed day.

[@LyzJGV]

Hi Ania I have just discovered your channel and really loved your content. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience and knowledge. I use 0,1% every night and I tolerate it pretty well. I was thinking of adding retinal during the day - as it does not seem to be a problem to use it at daytime. Do you think it s a good idea?

[@viannlollar4173]

Great video!!

[@theocbeautymd]

Thank you! 🌸

[@jessewaronaging256]

Great vedio thank you for sharing the knowledge!

[@theocbeautymd]

My pleasure!

[@jenniferpetty5238]

I have acne rosacea with some sun damage spots. I’m prescribed Tretinoin 0.05 percent and azelaic acid 15 percent. I’m too chicken to do the high dose protocol, lol. I purchased the Alto defense and even tone. Is it okay to apply azelaic acid on top of those in the morning? Thanks!! Love your channel. 😊

[@theocbeautymd]

Thank you!!! 🌸 Generally speaking, I would recommend prescription medications are applied first. There are exceptions of course. You might consult your prescribing skincare professional

[@dianebogan4284]

I’m so glad I found your channel, great content, informative and easily understood. I’ve been binge watching. 😊 I’m 64 and tried a low dose of Tretinion with Curology. My skin didn’t seem to get use to it so I switched to Osmosis Correct for 2 months and I am now on Osmosis Renew. Not sure this is the best vitamin A for me or if I should try something else for better results? Maybe I didn’t push though Tretinion long enough. Any thoughts would be helpful.

[@theocbeautymd]

Tretinoin always has an "anticipated reactions" period. Some people tolerate it better than others. I do think that the strongest non prescription retinols are from ZO skin health. The skinbetter alpharet is excellent and more gentle. You could start with the alpharet lines and then move up to ZO over time. Both skinbetter and ZO are available on my website if you're interested. ☺

[@Camillle946]

When you stopped doing the program and switched to a pea size amount, did your pores "come back" or did they stay clear?

[@cv7958]

It most likely stayed small because she maintains with a good skincare routine alongside in-office treatments. Pore would become enlarged and congested if you stopped caring for your skin.

[@theocbeautymd]

They are good as long as I continue a retinol and maintain my skin. If I stop, all the goodness reverses!

[@MyMaria1224]

Always great info! My skin is so tough lol I can use the 1% retin a every night including my neck 😂 great info Ania ❤️

[@theocbeautymd]

Your skin must be incredible!

[@angelinebiswas7611]

Wow! This is a fantastic video! I have never heard of using the higher dose to induce temporary inflammation and all of that. I’ve used the same .025% RetinA for the past decade just because I get no irritation that way but I kind of feel like for the past few years there’s nothing happening. I may ask my dr to bump it up to a .05%?

[@theocbeautymd]

Always worth asking! ☺

[@karend4016]

Another great video ! I was wondering what do you think of the skinbetter exfoliating mask/scrub vs. the ZO exfoliating polish ?

[@theocbeautymd]

They are both great, I love the exfoliating polish because it's a stronger scrub, smells amazing and is easier to wash off. All personal preference

[@kaleyberry6771]

Will you please do a video on skinaide

[@janetrodriguez5445]

Is it okay to mix your tretenoin with a little bit of moisturizer before applying it? I have been doing this and it’s helped me tolerate the tretenoin much better. I am up to using it 5 times a week with not too much irritation.

[@theocbeautymd]

Yes absolutely. you can even use what's called a "sandwich method" where you apply your moisturizer then tret then moisturizer again. As long as you can protect that skin barrier, you will tolerate the tret better!

[@ankitasweetheart]

Hey, I'm using tretinoin 0.025% since last 8 months and my skin is now used too with every night application. So can I now move up to higher strength of 0.05%? Or should I wait till it's one year? Please help me. I'm a bit confused about it

[@theocbeautymd]

you can definitely move up

[@ankitasweetheart]

@@theocbeautymd thank you so much 😊

[@Athome452]

Thank you for another great video, I have learned so much about skin care through you. I was using skin better science night cream for about 3 to 4 months and I like the change in my skin! I then wanted to try tretinoin got prescription for 0.05 From my doctor was using it for a few weeks until I noticed darkening of my skin mostly right below my cheekbone. Just curious is darkening of skin normal? I have stopped using it now and just using my skin better science night cream..

[@J.E.C.]

Sounds like pigmentation. You need a very good sunscreen and to avoid sun exposure when on tretinoin.

[@Athome452]

Thank you the response back, I was using sunscreen maybe I need more of it and staying out of sun would be good also. But can I still go back to using tretinoin or stay off for a while?

[@TheBohemianStyle]

Use sunscreen that had good coverage like Colorscience spf50 and reapply every hour or two. Don’t wear foundation, just excellent quality of sunscreen that you can reapply without looking and feeling waxy.

[@Athome452]

Thanks so much

[@theocbeautymd]

It could be pigmentation. It could be the formulation of the trtinoin product. I would ask your doctor. The skinbetter formulation contains AHA's that help you exfoliate at a faster rate which could be beneficial. Sunscreen is important. The pigmentation can be from irritation.

[@michellecreeden9204]

🧘‍♀️💕

[@cristinagyisa5262]

❤🌹🌹🌹

[@theocbeautymd]

❤