How to Reverse Skin Aging (2025)

#485

They might have inserted the gauze. The glossy plastic-like part surrounding the gauze completely locked out any chance of fluid (blood) from escaping.

I was actually a little worried the glossy sticky part would suffocate my skin.

It took me like 5 to 10 minutes to remove it. I kept trying to put the boundary over a fingernail pull it up, but it was so stuck-on it was like they had applied superglue.

Addendum: In fact, it looked like this:

https://www.cvs.com/shop/nexcare-tegaderm-pad-sterile-adhesive-pads-prodid-338552

Except, in my case the pad was smaller and square-shaped, not a long rectangle.

…

As far as whether it would make topicals work better, occlusives at least are claimed to do this. As I said, I would guess this works better than that. Maybe 2x is a bit unrealistic, though.

#486

Google search recommends not to use Tegaderm + pad for certain topicals like retinol. I fed in, “using tegaderm with pad to increase delivery of retinol” and it said:

Do not use an occlusive dressing like a Tegaderm with a pad to increase the delivery of retinol. Applying an occlusive layer over powerful active ingredients like retinol can significantly intensify their effects, which will almost certainly lead to severe skin irritation, redness, burning, peeling, or even blistering.

Occlusion therapy works by creating a barrier that dramatically increases the absorption of topical treatments, sometimes by as much as 10 times. While this method is used under strict medical supervision for certain conditions (like psoriasis with specific medications), it is not safe for use with potent, everyday skincare ingredients like retinol without professional guidance. The increased penetration can damage your skin barrier and cause a painful reaction called retinoid dermatitis.

Though, it’s sometimes hard to tell how seriously to take Google search’s responses like this, because typing in even the slightest deviation from approved medical advice generates responses like that. Google has it tuned to make it sound like you’re absolutely going to die of deviate even just an inch from approved medical advice – and “I’m going to call the police if you do use Tegaderm like that”.

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#487

Sure, but I also don’t see much sense using occlusion therapy for something like retinoids. They already pass through the skin very well. You can get them in high strengths (0.1% tretinoin) which are super effective and lots of people already can’t tolerate them. And more is also not necessarily better. It’s quite right that daily 0.1% will cause irritation in a lot of people. If you actually 10x the dose, it’s not going to make you look younger!

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#488

I asked GPT-5-thinking to analyze:

The commenter’s core point—more isn’t better with retinoids, and occlusion usually backfires for facial use—is solid. The absolutism about dosing is the only real miss: benefits don’t go to zero with higher doses, but returns flatten while irritation climbs, so smarter strategy = lowest effective strength + consistent, non-irritating use.

Some of those require a prescription,like tretinoin I think. I know that adapalene you can get over-the-counter.

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#489

Company:

Product / Brand:

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#490

A post was split to a new topic: Age-related vascular degeneration in the skin and how to avoid it

#491

You can also get tretinoin and higher strength adapalene through Indian pharmacy sources.

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#492

0.1% tret tubes are $2 a pop from IndiaMart and as far as topicals go, I’ve never ever come across anything more powerful than that little tube. Unless paired with sunscreen though it will do more harm than good.

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#493

I find tret to cause a lot of irritation but I’ve had very little irritation with 0.3% adapalene. I’m able to use this multiple nights in a row without issue. What I’m doing lately is alternating between 0.3% adapalene one night and 8% AHA glycloic acid another night, and once a week doing microneedling. I also just purchased azeliac acid which I use during the day as it doesn’t cause photosensitivity.

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#494

Sounds like a good combo. I’m blessed with skin that doesn’t react to anything so can and do slather the 0.1% tret like it’s no biggie.

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#495

0.1%. the 1% before must have been a typo, because that would be nuts.

My skin being a bit sensitive is multifactorial. I’ve got psoriasis, but I’ve got it 99% under control. I get a bit of redness in skin, but I’m on TRT and have higher blood cell production because of this. I’ve got sleep apnea and use CPAP, the mask can irritate the face. Retinoids can irritate skin.

It’s a careful balance.

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#496

With what to get your psoriasis under control?

#497

So many things but a cheap supplement that has helped me a lot is N-acetyl glucosamine.

But I attribute my recovery to a holistic approach at improving my health through diet, supplements, exercise, lifestyle and longevity meds. I don’t really use steroid cream very much, only if I get a flare up in a spot on my hand that makes it painful to use my hand effectively.

It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what helped the most but I think if you target health more than specifically psoriasis you’re going to do better in the long term.

#498

I think it’s probably illegal in the U.S. without a prescription. I’m not in bad need of skin products at the moment (5 years ago people said I looked like I was in my 30’s, and now they say mid-40’s, even though I’m 53); though I do try OTC things out, like vitamin C, which does a good job evening out my skin tone (and even seems to thicken the back of my hand, maybe via boosting collagen). Looking at how much people’s skin ages from 53 years old to 63 years old, say, I’d say it won’t be long until I’ll be looking into trying more heavy-duty stuff.

…

Some people don’t like going to doctors for products like Tretinoin because they have a problem with “authority” and “institutions”. I don’t have such hangups, since I’m an academic, which means I am very familiar with institutions and don’t fear them; and, furthermore, my brother is a medical doctor, who is board-certified in oncology and hematology, and I’ve picked up more about medical institutions, in particular, than most people, which reinforces my lack of fear of them.

My issues with using a product like Tretinoin, instead of some over-the-counter concoction or something I can put together myself, stem from all the other reasons to avoid doctors. e.g. if I wanted to use Tretinoin, it would first of all involve finding a dermatologist. Then it would involve seeing when I could actually meet with them, as they probably have full schedules, like most other doctors – so, there would be a week or two delay (if not longer!). After settling on a time that intersects our schedules, I would then have to fill in a 10 or 15 page medical history dossier, which is standard in the U.S. Then I’d have to show up to the office, maybe have my blood pressure and heart rate taken. Then I’d meet with the dermatologist, and then they’d look me over, and maybe would even order some more tests. Assuming they don’t, and prescribe it to me, I’m not sure how my insurance company would react to that, since it would have the appearance of being for aesthetics (which is would be) rather than for medical need. Probably I would have to pay it out-of-pocket. And the cost would be around maybe $50 to $100, and that quick visit to the dermatologist would be maybe $200 per visit, assuming my insurance also wouldn’t cover it.

So, in the end, $250 to $300 out-of-pocket for one small tube of prescription-strength, high-quality Tretnoin. And that doesn’t count the aggravation in going through that whole process.

AI doctors that can prescribe things like this are one thing I’m really looking forward to, as it should eliminate all these issues that I mentioned. I’ll be waiting a long time (just because technology improves faster than the regulatory approval process), probably; but I’ll probably see it one day…

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#499

Which is why I suggest getting it through an Indian pharmacy. It’s not a narcotic or steroid substance so it isn’t something that will get you arrested. It is also incredibly cheap through this method compared to paying doctors, getting prescriptions and purchasing.

If you wanted help with this someone can point you in the right direction here.

It is probably $3-5 per tube.

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#500

Yeah, or you can just buy this and skip all that:

https://m.indiamart.com/proddetail/tretinoin-0-1-gel-22807036188.html

My vendor sells it at $2 a tube….

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#501

I’ve been using 0.05% tretinoin for five years 3x per week. I was using it nightly at one point, but I heard that’s probably not good to do.

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#502

You can use it as much as you tolerate it. Doing it nightly at first might be too hard on your skin but only if your skin is very sensitive. If you feel no problems, you have no problems. Just make sure to stay on top of sunscreen application during the day.

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#503

I haven’t read your previous posts, so sorry if this is not helpful.

You have other options aside from going to see a dermatologist. (Although having one skin check under your belt is not the worst idea).

You can buy Differin retinoid OTC and it’s similar to tret, but not quite as good. I think this should be under $30

Any doc can give you an rx for tret, so just ask your primary doc. I’ve never been refused, but I’m sure there are jerks out there :slight_smile:

You can use a strong otc retinol and get similar results, but they are weaker so they will just take you a lot longer to get there.

You can choose an online service, like Curology (I use them) and you pay them for the rx and product which is then sent to your house. I happen to prefer their formula because I get less irritation.

To your point, I didn’t age until I was 55-ish, and then I fell off a cliff! :slight_smile:

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#504

I’m about due for a meeting with my concierge doctor to get a yearly blood test and physical. I’ll ask about Tretinoin. (My guess is that she will refer me to a dermatologist. She did offer to prescribe me Metformin once, and I turned her down. She was educated at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine, so maybe knows Nir Barzilai. She, herself, takes Rapamycin, and is really into anti-aging. Though, she’s also reluctant suggest medicines to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, which is a bit strange.)

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