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How to use Tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Retin-A-Micro) properly. (Not Retinol.)

Hello, Glow Girls!

Many of you have called and asked Dr Glow Girl how can you transform your visage from attractive to radiantly gorgeous as quickly and thoroughly as possible without undergoing laser procedures or painful peels. Since we have the best, most educated customer service representatives ever, you probably have been told all about how to use tretinoin (even though we don’t sell it; it’s a prescription product in the US) in combination with Cellular Skin Rx products like vitamin C+ Firming serum and Age-Limit Advanced Refinishing serum. In fact, our Great Skin in Four Weeks kit recommends that you use a retinoid product (Retin-A, Renova, Retin-A-Micro, etc) every other night, alternating it with your Age-Limit Advanced Refinishing serum for quick, excellent results.

But here’s the thing, Glow Girls. We all have heard about the “ugly period” that comes with retinoid use. It’s when your skin positively molts and peels and flakes and drives you insane no matter how much Calming BioLipid Repair Creme you put on it. And oh YES, we all know that tretinoin is the “jumbo jet” of topical skin care agents, compared to the paper plane that is retinol, and that nothing else will stimulate cell turnover, erase sun damage and increase skin elasticity and density like this powerful agent.

BUT, you say, “I simply cannot look like I am shedding some 18th layer of skin as if I am auditioning for Alien 6. No matter what it does for me.”

NO WORRIES! Glow Girls, here’s how to avoid the “ugly period” and still enjoy the results that tretinoin can give you. Remember the 3/2/1 rule. That’s right. THREE/TWO/ONE. Simple! This is how it works:

  • For two weeks, use your cream version of tretinoin 0.05% on every THIRD night.
  • The next two weeks, use it every SECOND night.
  • Finally, start applying every night.

Be warned, most Glow Girls never are able to tolerate tretinoin use EVERY night. But following this simple routine (3/2/1) over a patient six-week period will allow your skin to acclimate to this powerful de-ager without making you look like you jumped the gun on Halloween this year.

Since most Glow Girls stop at every other night usage frequency, we recommend using Age-Limit Advanced Refinishing serum on your “off” night to help remove all the dead skin that the tretinoin brings up to the surface. Then liberally apply a nice moisturizer (Calming BioLipid Repair Creme is a nice substantial choice). Using your vitamin C+ Firming serum, CSRx Antioxidant Defense Complex, and/or F*a*C*E Synergy serum followed by sunscreen will protect your new skin cells and maintain your results.

Keep in mind, patience is a virtue, Glow Girls! Tretinoin takes a good six to nine months of use before results are truly visible. But have no doubt, the stuff is working, working, working, so don’t give up.

A few thoughts before Dr Glow Girl signs off here: we do love www.inhousepharmacy.vu. They are out of the UK and New Zealand…..And why do you ask are we a teeny-tiny bit down on retinol? Well, darlings, retinol must be metabolized by your skin and transformed into tretinoin before it becomes an effective anti-aging ingredient. By the time that process has occurred, unless you started with a boatload of retinol, there’s just not too much tretinoin left to make a visible difference. So don’t go small, go BIG and reach for the real thing: tretinoin. Just remember the 3/2/1 Rule! It will make all the difference in your anti-aging experience.

Questions? Comments? Click below. Dr Glow Girl loves to hear from her Glow Girls (and Boys).

Until next time, radiantly yours,

Dr Glow Girl

****If you would like to receive occasional updates on Dr Glow Girl’s blog, new skin care information and Cellular Skin Rx product sales, then click here to be sure you don’t miss any important news or chances to save on Cellular Skin Rx products.

6 thoughts on “How to use Tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Retin-A-Micro) properly. (Not Retinol.)

  • Kristine

    Very informative. I was in fact wondering how to incorporate the tretinoin into my Cellular Skin routine. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Dr. Glow Girl

      Thanks for your kind comments, Kristine! I hope that my blog has helped your skin look even more radiant this month. Our goal at Cellular Skin Rx is to give all of our customers the information they need to get their skin as healthy as possible. We also provide products with Active Ingredients that Work for added appeal. 🙂 Have a great October! Dr. Glow Girl

      Reply
  • Erin

    I agree – a particularly helpful post. Thank you!

    Reply
  • Jen

    Very informative. I was in fact wondering how to incorporate the tretinoin into my Cellular Skin routine. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Dr. Glow Girl

      Jen, put your serums on first then top off with Retin-A top product for best results.

      Reply

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