I just started applying Retin-a and I realize that it can be a skin irritant, so I am only applying once a week to now in order to build up a tolerance. But to those who have been applying Retin-a for some time now, how often do you apply it. I have read of some that apply it 5 times a week. Is that too much?
Retin-a how many times a week?
- Thread starter bluechips
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Strat54
Established Member
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It's normal to experience some redness, irritation, itching, stinging, or skin dryness once you begin to use Retin-A. But you can expect these symptoms to disappear as the skin becomes used to it.
You should start at the lowest dosage and work your way up slowly.
You should apply Retin-A every night for about eight months to a year, after which you could use it only two or three times per week.
You should start at the lowest dosage and work your way up slowly.
You should apply Retin-A every night for about eight months to a year, after which you could use it only two or three times per week.
I would start out applying it just once a week. I happen to be particularly sensitive to it and have never been able to apply it more than 3x/week and have been using it for almost a year. I could probably push it to more than that, but would have to go through a period of serious irritation first. But anyway, it's best to start out low and work your way up.
hair_tomorrow
Senior Member
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I use the .5% stuff perhaps 2x weekly. I don't think my scalp could tolerate it any more often.
Next tube I get I'm going for the .25% stuff which is supposed to be just as good for hair loss - but a lot less irritating to your scalp.
Next tube I get I'm going for the .25% stuff which is supposed to be just as good for hair loss - but a lot less irritating to your scalp.
joseph49853
Experienced Member
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I probably would recommend no more than 3x a week of Retin-a, and no less than 1x a week. At first you'll peel a lot, and get red and irritated until your skin starts to adapt. Apply the Retin-a at night to keep your scalp out of the sun, and you're good to go. I apply the minoxidil thirty minutes after the Retin-a to maximize the application, and minimize irritation.
I just recently switched over to .025%, after running out of .05%. Probably anything above .025% is overkill for hair growth. I had even stopped using Retin-a for a little more than a month, and my great results remained. In my opinion, Retin-a really gives a super long-lasting effect compared to the fleeting effects from minoxidil alone.
I just recently switched over to .025%, after running out of .05%. Probably anything above .025% is overkill for hair growth. I had even stopped using Retin-a for a little more than a month, and my great results remained. In my opinion, Retin-a really gives a super long-lasting effect compared to the fleeting effects from minoxidil alone.
joseph49853
Experienced Member
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otis1 said:
Unless you'd like to create a sore-infested bloody mess, and sue him/her for malpractice, I wouldn't follow his/her advice.
sphlanx2006
Experienced Member
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I am using a 0.01% retin-A two times a day (its in the same bottle with minoxidil) and inspite of the first 2-3 weeks redness and itching it work very nice.
joseph49853
Experienced Member
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Rates of application vary greatly depending on the concentration. I've never used .01% Retin-a. Although, I am currently using .025%; that's what most will recommend for hairloss. And if anyone were to use .025 2x a day, they would likely experience a great decrease in scalp health. I'm only recently able to increase use of .025% to 4-5x a week.
I imagine you could get away with using .01% two times a day. Though, with so much exposure, I would worry about the potential for hypervitaminosis A over the long term.
I imagine you could get away with using .01% two times a day. Though, with so much exposure, I would worry about the potential for hypervitaminosis A over the long term.
