LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Doctor, I have noticed that retin-a comes in my country in various concentrations: 0.025, 0.050 and 0.1%.

Dermatologists have given me prescription for either (the actual names and concentration choices vary depending the laboratoriesa and so the prices, which is why sometimes I get rx for some products in some concentrations and sometimes for others) and now I must pick one.

The thing is... considering both cream consistency issues and prices, I am undecided over buying the 0.05% or 0.1% cream. I react well to either but here is the deal:

I wonder i using the 0.05% decreases dramatically the benefits of the topical isotretinoin by comparison to the 0.1% formula.
I realize the concentration is really different and higher in the 0.1% but I wonder if in thoses cases "the more, the better", or if it is more a matter of the CONSISTENT use of istoretinoin and not as much for the concentration of it on itself.

a) If a person uses consistently the product and does not experience negative side effects from either, is using daily a 0.1% better than using a 0.05% one?

b) Or, say, using a 0.05% concentration of retin-a works just as well as long as used daily?
Is using daily a 0.05% cream pretty much the same in results than using a 0.1% every two days, say? and if both could be used daily?

Is it the concentration or rather the consistency and frequency of retin-a use what makes it work?

In my personal case, the 0.1% formula is good, but the consistency of the cream is nicer and easier to spread/absorb in the brand that comes in 0.05%.

Should I go for what feels best for the skin and use it more often? or still go for the stronger one but not as nice as a cream?

Would I slow or reach way less benefits from the reti-a by using the 0.05% daily rather than the 0.1% dose? Thanks again for everything!

The second part of the question is... is retin-a use compatible with the use of self-tanner? Or does the retin-a get rid of whatever the DHA in self tanners for the face react with the cells to create the "fake tan"?
I realized years ago that using a self tanner and glycolic acid made one not make the other "work". Does the same happen with retinoids? or can that be solved by the time of the day in which each is used?

What about BHAs and self tanners? do the BHAs counteract also the effect of the self tanners on the skin?

Hugs and sorry for so many questions!

wow, that is a detailed question. i hate to make my response short but as you probably know, i am not a dermatologist but a surgeon. i really cannot even begin to answer your question. i think you need to find a dermatological forum board. i'm sorry about that.
best,
sml

Oh, sorry! I had assumed that your center offered treatments with retinoic acid or prescribed products of the type, sorry!

no problem. perhaps my spa knows more than i do.