Tretinoin works on acne and aging by speeding up the skin’s creation of new cells, which limits new pimples from forming and smoothes out areas of discoloration. It also reduces fine wrinkles and rough-feeling skin.
Wash the skin and hands thoroughly before applying this medication. Do not apply it to sunburned skin.
Acne Treatment
Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a medication that helps prevent and treat acne by unclogging pores, decreasing inflammation and encouraging the growth of new skin cells. It’s also an effective treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, and can reduce hyperpigmentation like sun spots and melasma.
Patients can start with a low strength tretinoin cream or gel and work their way up to higher strengths as tolerated. Generally, a pea-sized amount is enough for the face, and it’s best to apply it in the evening before bed so that the medication can fully absorb into the skin.
It’s important to note that tretinoin makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight, so patients should always wear sunscreen and limit their exposure. It’s also not recommended to use other topical medications or products on the same area at the same time as tretinoin, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or adapalene, as this can lead to irritation and failure of the drug.
Skin Lightening
Tretinoin speeds up skin cell turnover, allowing old cells to die off & new ones to take their place. This makes the cells smoother & helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven color, melasma & sun damage.
For acne, tretinoin keeps pores clear by preventing excess oil from building up. It also helps kill bacteria that cause infection & promotes collagen formation, which tightens skin for a less puffy, more toned appearance.
Unlike some other skin lighteners, like hydroquinone, which can bleach your skin, tretinoin does not significantly affect melanin production in the areas where it is applied (Yoham, 2020).
Before you start using tretinoin, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. They can explain how it works, how long it takes to work & what results you should expect to see. They can also tell you whether it’s safe for your particular situation, including if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. You should avoid pore-clogging ingredients, harsh scrubs & excessive washing while you’re using tretinoin.
Anti-Aging
While tretinoin is best known for its ability to treat acne by unclogging pores, it can also reduce fine lines, improve skin texture, fade hyperpigmentation & melasma & increase skin tightness. These anti-aging benefits make tretinoin a great addition to any skincare routine!
The anti-aging benefits of tretinoin come from the fact that it helps your cells replenish their collagen, which is often lost due to excessive sun exposure. It also promotes new skin growth and reduces wrinkles by increasing cell turnover. It also fades discoloration, blotches and spots caused by sun damage & evens out your skin tone.
A series of 6-month clinical studies have shown that tretinoin significantly improves the signs of photoaging (Green et al 1994). However, it should be noted that prolonged use may cause more severe skin reactions such as skin/mucous membrane dryness, redness, headache, weakness, fever, increased sweating and changes in vision. Moreover, it is advised not to take vitamin A supplements or oral forms of retinol while taking tretinoin since these can lead to symptoms of hypervitaminosis A.
Skin Discoloration
Tretinoin has been shown to even out skin tone, reduce discoloration like brown spots and hyperpigmentation caused by melasma or sun damage. It lightens acne scarring and dark circles under the eyes, helps skin cells shed dead ones more quickly so they look fresher, and evens out fine lines and wrinkles (Yoham, 2020).
Studies show that tretinoin can also increase epidermal thickness and hydration, making the skin feel firmer. It also boosts collagen to give the skin a more youthful appearance.
But if you’re thinking about getting on the tretinoin train, it’s best to talk with your doctor first. They can tell you if it’s right for your skin type, how to use it, how long you should expect your results to last and any risks involved. That’s especially important if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. There haven’t been enough well-controlled studies to determine if oral tretinoin is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding (Kligman, 2004). TretinoinYouth