Hello everyone. I'm so glad to find this forum! I have a question that doesn't seem to be answered in the book, but maybe I'm just not looking in the right spot.

I have a prescription for Tri-Luma cream, and if I remember correctly, my dermatologist said the Tri-Luma has three things in it - hydroquinone, Retin-A and a steroid.

My question is this: If I'm using Tri-Luma every night, do I also need separate Retin-A or Renova? It seems like it would be overkill to use them both. Or should I ask my dermo for a different RX? I don't want to be missing something, but I also don't want to put unnecessary stuff on my face!

In addition, due to the steroids in Tri-Luma, I know I can only use it for two months on, and two months off. During the two months off, I'm planning to go back to my retinol cream (Philosophy Help Me). Or, during that time, should I skip the retinol cream and just use Retin-A?

Thanks,
Gigi
DRPW

Hello everyone. I'm so glad to find this forum! I have a question that doesn't seem to be answered in the book, but maybe I'm just not looking in the right spot.

I have a prescription for Tri-Luma cream, and if I remember correctly, my dermatologist said the Tri-Luma has three things in it - hydroquinone, Retin-A and a steroid.

My question is this: If I'm using Tri-Luma every night, do I also need separate Retin-A or Renova? It seems like it would be overkill to use them both. Or should I ask my dermo for a different RX? I don't want to be missing something, but I also don't want to put unnecessary stuff on my face!

In addition, due to the steroids in Tri-Luma, I know I can only use it for two months on, and two months off. During the two months off, I'm planning to go back to my retinol cream (Philosophy Help Me). Or, during that time, should I skip the retinol cream and just use Retin-A?

Thanks,
Gigi
DRPW

Hi Gigi,

I'm just starting with my Tri-Luma this week, I've used it 2 nights in a row and am doing fine with it. I'm OS(slightly) PW and had been using Retin-A every night before that.

I don't think you need a separate Retin-A-type product at the same time as T-L, and I'm planning on going back to my Retin-A rx once my 2 mos w/Tri-luma are up. I figure if I was using it before, I'd rather go with the stronger rx than using a non-rx product. But I think that between cycles of Tri-Luman, I'd definitely use something else instead.

Hope this helps!

I'm currently using Retin-A each night, but I was thinking of asking for a prescription for Tri-Luma. Please excuse my ignorance, but what is the deal with the steroid ingredient?

Susie~

Susie,

I'm not really sure of the medical reason for this, but my dermatologist told me to only use the Tri-Luma for two months and then go off it for two months. I can do this for as long as I want - two months on, two months off - but she was very adamant about the importance of taking time off. I guess it has something to do with the steroids getting into the bloodstream and being harmful over the long term - but I am not sure. Perhaps someone with more medical knowledge can answer!

Gigi
DRPW

I got the same story from my derm...just what the effects are I'm not sure. 

By the way, if you go on www.triluma.com you can print out a rebate form and get $25 back from the company.  Since my insurance doesn't cover it, I paid $110 for it, so every little bit counts!!!  I found this was true for my other rx topical as well, so if you're using anything else you might want to look it up on the web and see if they offer anything.  Good to know!