Tretinoin is a medication that reduces wrinkles, clears acne and evens out skin tone. It belongs to a group of medications called retinoids.
It helps dark spots fade to allow for a more even skin tone (Zasada, 2019). In addition, it increases the rate at which skin cells replenish collagen, reducing fine lines and wrinkles (Yoham, 2020).
What is Tretinoin?
Tretinoin is a form of vitamin A that’s only available by prescription. It’s an extremely effective treatment for acne, reducing oil production and stimulating collagen production. It can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinoids are a class of skin treatments that all work by irritating the surface of the skin. This makes the cells in the skin divide faster and die off, allowing newer, healthier cells to take their place. This is what causes the skin to look brighter and fresher, but it also can cause redness and flaking.
It’s important to use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer when you begin using tretinoin. Also, avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and artificial sunlamps while you’re taking it. This can make the skin sensitive and vulnerable to burns. Lastly, it’s important to monitor the results of your tretinoin treatment. If it gets too dry, scaly, peeling or red, you should stop using it and discuss the issue with your doctor.
How does Tretinoin work?
Tretinoin is a retinoid and works by encouraging the removal of dead skin cells, which reveals fresher, brighter-looking skin. It also boosts collagen production and targets hyperpigmentation and sun damage.
When used as directed, tretinoin can improve pore size, redness and sensitivity, brown spots and wrinkles. It is important to note that it may take weeks or months for the full benefits to show.
Its comedolytic end benefits (that is, it helps diminish acne) are mainly due to its ability to:
Tretinoin can be a powerful tool for treating a variety of conditions and issues related to the skin, but it’s important to understand that results are not immediate. Depending on the severity of your condition, it can take up to six weeks to see noticeable tretinoin results when treating acne and/or anti-aging, and it can take even longer for more serious conditions like hyperpigmentation or severe wrinkles to improve. During this time, it’s normal for skin irritation to occur, such as peeling, dryness or flakiness.
What are the possible side effects of Tretinoin?
Tretinoin can cause redness, itching, and flaking of the skin. These side effects usually start during the first 2 weeks of treatment and may get worse before getting better. They occur because tretinoin is working on pimples that are forming inside your skin. It can take up to 12 weeks before you notice results.
This medication can make your skin sensitive to sunlight and it is very important to use sunscreen and limit sun exposure while using this medicine. It can also help to use a moisturizer.
You must use birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication (Yoham, 2020). It is in pregnancy category C. It can cause severe birth defects if you become pregnant while you are taking it (Vesanoid, 2019). Use two forms of birth control together starting 1 month before you begin tretinoin and continuing until 1 month after your last dose. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about using birth control.
How do I use Tretinoin?
The good news is that with patience, tretinoin can work wonders for your skin. You’ll need to start slowly, using it a few nights a week, then increase the frequency. Ideally, you should also add in ingredients that are compatible with it (hyaluronic acid, niacinamide etc) to maximize the benefits.
Be prepared for a bit of a purge at first, as your skin will go through more rapid cell turnover than it’s used to, which means all of the acne-causing bacteria that are trapped under the surface will be pushed to the surface and might lead to breakouts. Luckily, this is a normal part of the process and will only last for a few weeks, after which your skin should be smoother and clearer than ever before.
Always apply a moisturizer after tretinoin, especially at night, and remember to slather on sunscreen during the day. Don’t overdo it with the products, though, as too many can irritate your skin.