Stieva-A 0.05%

Contents:25g
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:

1. only use this in the evening (contact with the sun will burn your skin);
2. after you wash your face, wait for 15 minutes before you apply it (this product reacts badly with water)
3. 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)
4. 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)

Stieva-A cream 0.025%

Contents:25g




The following information has been extracted from bodyandhealth.canada.com

How does Stieva-A work? What will it do for me?Tretinoin is used to treat certain types of acne. Tretinoin helps acne by exfoliating the skin's outer layer which helps to reduce the formation of blackheads, whiteheads and other acne lesions.

How should I use Stieva-A?
Tretinoin should be applied once daily at bedtime to lightly cover the areas being treated. The area of application should be thoroughly cleansed with a mild soap and water and patted dry with a soft towel. Wait about 20 minutes before applying the medication so your skin is completely dry. The treated area should be washed no more than twice daily. Apply a small amount (about the size of a pea) on your fingertip and spread it on the skin where acne lesions appear. Use only enough medication to cover the affected areas lightly.

Keep the medication away for the corners of the nose, mouth, eyes and mucous membranes. Avoid applying excess amounts as the medication may run into the eyes and other areas that should be avoided. Avoid areas of the skin where you have other problems such as eczema, severely inflamed skin or open skin lesions. After you wash your skin in the morning, it is recommended that you apply a moisturizer or a moisturizer with sunscreen that will not aggravate your acne.

After 3 to 6 weeks of treatment, you may notice new blemishes. Keep using this medication as you will notice a gradual improvement over 8 to 12 weeks.

Prolonged exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, wind, and cold should be avoided during treatment. If exposure to the sun is unavoidable, use a sunscreen with minimum SPF 15 and wear protective clothing.


What form(s) does Stieva-A come in?
Cream
Each g of cream contains tretinoin USP 0.01%, 0.025% or 0.05% in an emollient cream base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, cetyl alcohol, edetate disodium, isopropyl palmitate, methyl paraben, prolyoxyl 40 stearate, propyl paraben, propylene glycol, purified water, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol and white petrolatum.

Forte Cream
Each g of cream contains tretinoin USP 0.1%. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, cetyl alcohol, edetate disodium, isopropyl palmitate, methyl paraben, polyoxyl 40 stearate, propyl paraben, propylene glycol, purified water USP, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, titanium dioxide and white petrolatum.

Gel
Each g of gel contains tretinoin USP 0.01%, 0.025% or 0.05% in an alcohol base gel. Nonmedicinal ingredients: anhydrous alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

Solution
Each mL of solution contains tretinoin USP 0.025%. Nonmedicinal ingredients: anhydrous alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

Who should NOT take Stieva-A?
Tretinoin should not be used by anyone who is allergic to tretinoin or any of the ingredients of the medication.

What side effects are possible with Stieva-A?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• burning, stinging, warmth, or tingling sensation of the skin lasting for a short time after applying
• chapping or slight peeling of the skin
• redness of the skin
• unusual dryness of the skin
• temporary darkening or lightening of the skin
• skin rash
• Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• excessively red, swollen, blistered or crusted skin
• pain, burning sensation, tenderness, severe irritation, or itchy skin
• Some people may experience side effects other than those listed.

Application: Avoid excessive use of tretinoin. Avoid contact with the eyes, eyelids, angles of the nose, mouth, easily irritated areas, or other areas where treatment is not intended. Do not apply tretinoin to severely inflamed skin or to open lesions. Do not over-apply the cream. Doing so will not speed up treatment and will irritate your skin.

Skin care: Cosmetics may be used, but thoroughly cleanse the areas to be treated before applying the medication. Try to avoid products applied to the skin that have high concentrations of alcohol, spices or lime as they cause stinging and burning on treated skin. If possible, avoid simultaneous use of harsh abrasives and other skin treatments, including sun lamps.

Hair removal is permitted as usual (e.g., plucking, electrolysis, depilatories) but avoid these procedures at night before applying tretinoin as they may result in skin irritation.

Permanent wave solutions, waxing preparations, and medicated soaps and shampoos can sometimes even irritate skin that is not being treated with this medication. Use caution so that these products do not come into contact with skin treated with tretinoin.

Skin irritation: Some people may experience temporary skin irritation, especially in early weeks of treatment. Should excessive reactions occur, and the skin becomes extremely red, swollen, and crusted, the medication should be stopped and you should contact your doctor.

An apparent worsening may develop due to the medication's effect on existing deep lesions. This is a normal part of the treatment effect. Treatment should be continued.

Sunlight exposure: Exposure to sunlight, including ultraviolet sunlamps, may cause more irritation. Therefore, avoid or minimize this type of exposure during the use of tretinoin. If you cannot avoid exposure to sunlight, use sunscreen products (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing over treated areas.

My Opinion:

If you've been following my blog, you would know that I've been tortured by adult acnes for quite some time. Although it is not a full blown situation, it's still very irritating, my face has never been clear for over a year and apart from having a new spot every month, my whole face is full of acne marks and I can't even go out without my makeup on. (is actually starting to affect my confidence...)

The most irritating thing is that I have this acne on my chin for over 2 months that is neither growing nor shrinking (DAMN). I've started to use Stieva-A for about a week, and this damn acne is finally starting to shrink, I have my fingers cross and hope that it'll finally disappear.

Update: I've written an update on this product, so if you are interested please check out my post on Stieva-A cream 0.05%