How do I know when to stop sandwiching, increase strength, and switch to maintenance? Also, how long for the “tret glow”?

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Hey everyone! I recently started tretinoin and I'm trying to take it slowly rather than rushing the process.

I'm currently using the **sandwich method** because I want to minimize irritation while my skin retinizes.

My plan is:

* Weeks 1–2: tret twice a week

* If my skin tolerates that well: every 3rd night

* Gradually increase frequency based on tolerance

I have a few questions for people who have been using tret for a while:

1. **How long did it take you to get the “tret glow”?** Is there actually a point where skin becomes noticeably smoother/glossier, and roughly how many months did it take for you?

2. **How did you know it was time to stop sandwiching?** Is it better to wait until you're completely retinized and then try tret directly on clean, dry skin, or is there no real need to stop sandwiching if it's working well?

3. **If I'm eventually using tret nightly and my acne still isn't improving enough, when would it make sense to increase the strength?** For example, should someone give a strength several months of consistent nightly use before considering moving up?

4. **Once acne and skin texture improve, do you actually need to increase the strength?** Or can you stay on the same strength/frequency that keeps your skin clear?

5. **How do you maintain your results after retinization?** Do most people continue nightly, or can they eventually reduce to every other night / a few times per week without losing the benefits?

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have been using tret for 6 months+, especially what worked for you and what you wish you had known when starting.

Thanks!