Price: HK$50
I've started using Stieva-A since last year's April, and I would like to write an update article. I'm not going to go into details about Tretinoin, and if you are curious what it is, please check out my previous article on Stieva-A cream 0.025% (lower concentration).
Since April last year, I've already gone thru 2 tubes of the 0.025% concentration, and already move up to the 0.05% concentration. You do not need a prescription for this concentration (at least not in Hong Kong or Macau).
Before using Stieva-A I knew that you have to go thru the stage of dry/flaky/red skin, I was expecting that, but I was told that this period would last for about 3 months and you'll start to see improvements afterwards. Well, my hellish days was not 3 months but 6 months, and I was so tempted to give up....
After the first 3 months my acne problems was mostly gone, but I was left with super dry and irritated skin, sometimes I even have to take a break from Tretinoin and let my skin stabilize before I start over again. After about 6 months my skin finally started to feel normal, and even then, I did not see any major improvements (I guess that I was expecting too much from this product).
I've kept using it, and over time I did see that most of the acne marks were gone, and although I still get the occasional breakouts, it's nothing to worry about. In terms of pore size and fine lines, I've been using this under my eyes (once a week), and I did notice improvements on the lines around my eyes, but beware if you want to use this under your eyes, because I was too greedy, and was using it under my eyes consecutively for 3 days, and it was so irritating that it left my under eye area all red. I did not notice any improvements on my pore size....
After using this for over a year, I've learn that this product works better under the following conditions:
- only use this in the evening (contact with the sun will burn your skin);
- after you wash your face, wait for 15 minutes before you apply it (this product reacts badly with water)
- after application wait for 30 minutes before you apply your moisturizer (moisturizer will diminish the effect of the product, you need time for it to work)
- don't use too much product, about a pea size should me enough ( you might think that there is not enough product to cover your whole face, but once absorbed it will permeate underneath your skin)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteDo you still use Stieva-A even though your face now is ance free, i was wondering do i still continue using it once my ance and scar is clear.
Just afraid that that if i stop using it new ance will be form again then the process had ti start all over again.
I've stopped using it when the marks were gone, it never came back.
DeleteRecently I've started to use it again, but for different purpose, stieva-a has anti aging effects
Thank for your prompt reply,recently you started using it for anti aging effect does new pimples appear as this product tend to "purge" out all pimples during the so call purging stage.
Deleteactually I've never had purging problems with this product, but I do have problems with dry/red/flaky skin on the initial stage, and since I'm not using this for acne, I've only been using this once a week
Deletewhen i had started to use this product my acne become much worst than before i apply stieva-A but after abt six week it become much better,my ance had clear out, now i am hoping that my scars will clear out soon too. By the way how long do u take for your scar to disappear ? In sg stieva-A is a controlled drug thus need prescribe by doctor, so only managed to get 1 tube per visit so is quite a hassle some more the consultation fee is expensive even through i just want to get another tube.
DeleteCan this stieva-A be use for "hei bang" (chi character) ?
Deletesorry, no idea what's hei bang, you might want to type the chinese character
Delete黑斑
ReplyDeleteyes it does work on hyperpigmentation and skin dicoloration, but please be aware that this product does irritate your skin, and the adapation period may range from 3 - 6 months
Deleteif is just the acne marks that you want to fade, try hydroquinone, it works faster and is less irritating, here's the link for the product
Deletehttp://deepaishopaholic.blogspot.com/2010/04/eldoquin-forte-4-cream.html
Noted with Thank
DeleteHi, you had bought Stieva-A at Watsons right and does not required doctor's prescription ? I had ask someone to purchases for me in HK but he was unable to find it at watsons, he had only managed to find it at pharmacy but he told me it a controlled medicine and it need doctor's prescription before he can get it and each cost HKD160.
ReplyDeleteJust wonder how did you managed to get it for HKD 50 and without doctor's prescription ?
I didn't get stieva a at watsons, but at a local chemist, and the price quoted is back in 2011. I think they raise the price, it was around HK$80, the last tube that I got was in 2012. I've wanted to get the 0.1% but was told that i needed a prescription for that, so I've stick with 0.05 and no prescription was required
DeleteHi, sorry for intruding but could i know which local chemist specifically you bought it from? I'm heading to HK end of this year and was hoping to get some.
DeleteThanks!
I dont' really remember the name of the chemists, but just go into any one they should have it. I've purchased from several different stores and never had any problem. Try the smaller ones, they usually have it.
DeleteI was told that 0.05% also need a prescription..
ReplyDeleteSorry Johnny, I've got no idea why they are asking you for a prescription, I've bought from different chemist before, and they've never asked me.
ReplyDeleteI was researching how well Stieva works and found your blog article, so I am going to give it a try! Thank you for your information!
ReplyDeleteHere's where I buy beauty products that require a prescription [I am in the US but overseas delivers to me]. Hope this helps! http://www.ioffer.com/search/items/STIEVA%20A%20CREAM
Did you apply any moisturizer during the daytime ? Not sure whether is it because of the cream make my face become dry thus it produce more oil gland making my face make quite oily during the day.
ReplyDeleteCould you please kindly tell me where I can buy the A cream?
ReplyDeleteCOZ it's very very difficult to find in phar. storesss~A million thx to you~!!
Nope, I never exfoliate while I'm on stieva A because my skin was already very thin and no matter how mild the exfoliator is, it seems to irritate my skin. What I've been doing is alot of hydrating mask, to alleviate the dryness (I used avene, because it doesn't irritate) and using those makeup towelletes to remove any excess dead skin, but if the dead skin is really bothering try talking to your derm.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your review. I am using the same brand tretinoin cream with u. Today is third week but not much improvement.i still have breakout and seems like worse than b4. I'm wonder are u still suffer from acne now?
ReplyDeleteHi I am experiencing a very severe flaky skin... and I only used it for about 4 to 5 days... Is that going to be alright><??
ReplyDeleteWhere you guys got the cream for???? The very last time i got mind are in 2013 and now are very difficult to get..... any one please tell me where can i buy the cream at sSingapore. ...
ReplyDeleteNeed prescription from doctor to buy tretinon cream in SGP. I can help. Leave contact.
ReplyDeleteContact me pls at : martintin000@yahoo.com.
ReplyDelete