Tretinoin (vitamin A) treats acne, improves skin texture & color, evens out hyperpigmentation/dark spots, & reduces fine lines & wrinkles. However, it can take time & needs to be used consistently to see results.
Always wash your face & hands before applying tretinoin, & avoid getting it in your eyes or on sunburned skin. Certain underlying skin conditions like rosacea may be more sensitive to this ingredient.
Acne Treatment
Tretinoin is a powerful exfoliant that reduces the appearance of surface wrinkles and dark spots caused by sun damage. It also improves skin’s texture and tone. This medication, which requires a doctor’s prescription, works by speeding up the process of epidermal turnover and cell renewal.
This helps to prevent the buildup of dead skin cells that can block hair follicles and lead to mild forms of acne, like whiteheads and blackheads or more severe forms, such as papules and pustules. Tretinoin is also thought to decrease inflammation and encourage the quick healing of acne pimples.
It’s important to wash your face before applying tretinoin or any other anti-aging and acne treatment products, in order to remove excess oil. Then, pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Use just enough tretinoin to lightly cover your face, but avoid the corners of the eyes, mouth and nostrils. If you have sensitive skin, try starting with a low concentration of this medication or switching to adapalene, which has a similar effectiveness but is less irritating.
Anti-Aging
Tretinoin is a powerful anti-aging treatment. It promotes the shedding of old skin cells and encourages new growth, which reduces fine lines and dark spots caused by sun exposure. It also increases collagen production, which helps firm and plump the skin.
Unlike many over-the-counter anti-aging products, tretinoin is actually proven to work. Research has shown that high-strength tretinoin improves fine lines, hyperpigmentation and elasticity as well as stimulates collagen production in as little as 4-6 weeks.
Patients should use a mild soap to wash their face before applying tretinoin and moisturize afterward. They should wear sunscreen daily while using tretinoin, as it can make the skin sensitive to sunlight. It is recommended to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher. In addition, patients should avoid smoking or using other medications that can cause sun sensitivity.
Melasma Treatment
The same medications that reduce fine wrinkles, clear acne and even skin tone can lighten melasma spots. These dark discolorations are common during pregnancy and after a woman stops taking oral contraceptives (especially those containing hormones). Some people with melasma have certain health problems, such as thyroid disease.
Many melasma spots fade on their own, but other treatment options can speed up the process. These include chemical peels, laser therapies and microneedling. Oral medications, such as tranexamic acid, can also help by reducing pigment production and by lowering excess blood vessels that make the area red.
Oral tretinoin has been shown to be teratogenic in animal studies, and should not be used during pregnancy (Yoham, 2020). Topical tretinoin is pregnancy category C, meaning that there are no adequate and well-controlled studies of the drug’s effects on an unborn baby. Pregnant women should use sunscreen with iron oxides and wear a wide-brimmed hat when out in the sun.
Side Effects
Tretinoin has some side effects that are normal for any drug, but you should tell your child’s doctor right away if they are serious. This includes signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives or trouble breathing.
It is also possible for the skin to become irritated and dry, particularly in the first few weeks of treatment. This is often referred to as the “purge” period and may include inflamed, red, flaking or peeling skin. This is a normal part of the process, and it usually goes away in about 2 to 4 weeks.
The skin will also become more sensitive to sunlight, so your child will need to apply sunscreen and use protective clothing when going out. You should also avoid using other products that can irritate the skin, such as harsh soaps or shampoos, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, waxes, moisturizers with alcohol, lime or spices, and dandruff or wart removers containing sulfur or resorcinol unless your doctor tells you to.