When to apply Retin-A

[Defiance]

Im thinkin of buying some retin-a 0.05 cream to apply at hairline eod

Or should i run with 0.025 liquid that i already have?

My question is though when do you apply it. Before or after minoxidil?

I did look through old threads but there are quite afew conflicting answers as to applying it before or after

 

[KeepTheHair]

Yeah, I want to add Retin-A to my regimen as well.

I am curious about the application too.

Also, I am going to get it from Dr. Lee...which do I get 0.025 or 0.05?

Anyone have any input on this?

 

[Bryan]

I always worry a little that applying something like that (especially creams) might act as an occlusive dressing or barrier to something else that you apply at the same time. If I were you, I'd apply it at a completely different time of day than the minoxidil.

 

[Defiance]

hmmm that interesting i might do that. Although then its not really helping minoxidil absorbtion? which is what alot of peoples intentions are when they use it right?

Im more interested on that study how Retin A alone can help grow hair

 

[KeepTheHair]

I think applying enough to only moisten the skin somewhat is what you want to do when using it with minoxidil, or without. I highly doubt it would act in an occlusive manner. Perhaps a cream might more so than a liquid.

But if it has growth properties on it's own and promotes absorption of other topical then I definitely think it is a very good idea to add this to any regimen.


I plan on using it once or twice a week until I am sure it won't cause flaking or drying of my skin. Since I am using keto shampoo all week long and so on.

I can't wait to add this .

Anyone have a good link to the study Bryan mentioned?(it promoting hair growth on its own.)

 

[Bryan]

hmmm that interesting i might do that. Although then its not really helping minoxidil absorbtion? which is what alot of peoples intentions are when they use it right?

It helps minoxidil absorption even when you apply it completely separately from minoxidil. I felt so strongly about this issue, I added it to my signature file years ago (see the middle statement)!

 

[Bryan]

Anyone have a good link to the study Bryan mentioned?(it promoting hair growth on its own.)

I have no idea if the whole thing is available online, but the abstract is below:

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1986 Oct;15(4 Pt 2):880-3, 890-3.

"Topical tretinoin for hair growth promotion"
Bazzano GS, Terezakis N, Galen W.

Abstract
Topical all-trans-retinoic acid (tretinoin) alone and in combination with 0.5% minoxidil has been tested for the promotion of hair growth in 56 subjects with androgenetic alopecia. After 1 year, the combination of topical tretinoin with 0.5% minoxidil resulted in terminal hair regrowth in 66% of the subjects studied. Tretinoin was shown to stimulate some hair regrowth in approximately 58% of the subjects studied. One female subject with pronounced alopecia for more than 20 years had regrowth of hair using only tretinoin for a period of 18 months. Tretinoin has been shown to promote and regulate cell proliferation and differentiation in the epithelium and may promote vascular proliferation. These factors are important for hair growth promotion. These preliminary results indicate that more work should be done on the role of retinoids in hair growth. The synergistic effect of retinoids in combination with a low concentration of minoxidil should also be further investigated.

 

[JWM]

Bryan, did they ever state the concentration or vehicle that was used for the tretinoin?

 

[KeepTheHair]

Those studies look very, very impressive for something I never even truly considered until a few days ago.

I thought Retin-A was only something which helps with absorption and is not worth my time.

I am DEFINITELY adding Dr.Lees 0.05% Retin-A to my regimen. I won't use it religiously but I will definitely use it with my current regimen. It looks like it has some good results.


I wonder what happens if you stop using it lol...same thing as minoxidil?



How would you guys apply it? 30 minutes prior to minoxidil application perhaps?

 

[captain_que]

think this might be something worth looking into... both for hair loss and acne.. Is the cream the same for the two?

 

[Private Ryan]

Yeah, I want to add Retin-A to my regimen as well.

I am curious about the application too.

Also, I am going to get it from Dr. Lee...which do I get 0.025 or 0.05?

Anyone have any input on this?

the cream is rathe mild even with 0.05% to 0.1% strength. have no problem applying it.

with dr. Lee 0.025% my scalp can hardly take it. it burn right through causing scaring and peeling.

i suggest with Dr. Lee, you dillute it down to 0.01% which is gentle enough for daily use. the korea study comparing min 5% twice daily with min 5% wiith 0.01% retin-A once daily reported same rate of side effect.

0.025% solution is certainly way stronger then the cream. 0.05% shouldn't be use at all unless you have pretty healthy scalp. in long term, i do doubt does retin-A really help hairloss if the strength is too high. 0.01% seem sweet in my case.

i will say start with the lowest strength and test how well your scalp recieve it first. to me, retin-A potentially is a great addition to the "big 3" yet most likely to cause strong side effect if one is not careful.

 

[rcom440]

Where do you buy retin-a 0.05 online other than Dr. Lee's web page?

 

[Bryan]

with dr. Lee 0.025% my scalp can hardly take it. it burn right through causing scaring and peeling.

If you use too much Retin-A, you will definitely be scared of it!

 

[Private Ryan]

with dr. Lee 0.025% my scalp can hardly take it. it burn right through causing scaring and peeling.

If you use too much Retin-A, you will definitely be scared of it!

true sir. 1 application of 0.025% can take up to a week for the scaling and peeling to recover. i try to build up slowly and use folligen at the same time but never able to overcome the side effect at that strength.

dilluting it to half with alcohol seen to do the trick :hump:

seriously i wonder how does one follow Dr. lewenberg's recommendation of using it 4times per day :dunno:

anyway, he sound quite quacky to me.

 

[KeepTheHair]

lol people react to these things differently I guess.

I used to get all sorts of acne creams and liquids that were supposed to dry my skin and make it peel etc. NONE worked. I think my skin isn't really scared of it at all... Both liquid and creams. None ever worked!


I will buy the 0.025 just to be safe though. It seems really cheap.

Will use it for hair loss anyway and not acne. I want to use keto shampoo everyday and I dont want to completely dry the hell out of my skin!