How Does Tretinoin Cream Work?
Tretinoin is a powerful prescription medication that can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions. It works by speeding up the skin’s natural process of creating new cells. It helps to clear acne, reduce wrinkles & improve discoloration.
It is important to wash the hands & affected skin area with mild, gentle soap (not medicated) before & after applying this medication.
Acne Treatment
Tretinoin is one of the most powerful acne treatments. It belongs to a group of synthetic and naturally occurring compounds called retinoids that are derived from Vitamin A.
Unlike other buzzy acne medications that require you to ingest them, tretinoin is applied topically to your skin. This allows it to work on the surface of your skin and eliminates clogged pores that cause acne.
In addition to fighting acne, tretinoin has anti-aging properties that minimize fine lines and wrinkles. This is because it promotes the production of collagen, which helps your skin retain its strength and elasticity.
Before applying tretinoin, wash your face with warm water and a gentle soap or skin cleanser. Rinse your face and pat it dry with a soft towel. Avoid using other topical acne treatments or skin products containing acids (eg, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide) because they may interfere with the effectiveness of tretinoin. You may experience flaking and drying of your skin when you first begin using tretinoin. This is normal and should improve with continued use.
Anti-Aging
Many anti-aging skin creams claim to erase fine lines & wrinkles, but Tretinoin is the only prescription topical that has been scientifically proven to actually reduce them. It works by speeding up your skin cell turnover rate, allowing older cells to be shed & new ones to grow in their place. This makes the face look smoother & younger.
Besides softening lines, tretinoin also lightens hyperpigmentation (melasma) & evens out skin tone. It has also been shown to decrease pore size, shrink oil glands & block the inflammatory pathways that lead to acne. It can also reduce scarring & help reduce sun damage. The earlier in life a patient starts using tretinoin, the more benefit they get, but it is never too late to start.
When tretinoin is used, patients should avoid sun exposure or tanning beds unless told otherwise by their doctor & use sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher daily. They should also avoid other skin products that sting or cause irritation such as benzoyl peroxide, hair removers, salicylic acid (wart remover) & dandruff shampoos with sulfur or resorcinol unless directed by their doctor.
Skin Lightening
Besides its anti-aging and acne-fighting properties, Tretinoin can also help lighten dark spots on the skin. This is because it increases the turnover rate of new skin cells. This means that older skin cells that have accumulated discoloration due to sun damage and excess melanin production get replaced with fresh, healthy-looking skin.
This can help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as reduce blemishes and other marks caused by sun damage. However, Tretinoin is not a miracle cure and cannot completely erase severe sun damage or deep wrinkles.
If you want to enhance the effects of your Tretinoin treatment, try using a serum that contains glycolic acid or another type of exfoliator that can increase cell turnover. Also, be sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher while you are using retinol. Lastly, be gentle with your skin, use it only as directed and only apply a small amount of the cream or gel to avoid over-exfoliating or irritating your skin.
Age Spots
Tretinoin isn’t just used to treat acne and reduce fine wrinkles, it also helps to reduce age spots and discoloration caused by sun damage. While there are plenty of skin whitening products on the market, prescription tretinoin is the only one proven to lighten and fade dark patches of skin.
Your dermatologist can advise you on how to use tretinoin cream based on your specific needs and skin type. You will be advised to wash your face before applying it and gently blot the area dry rather than using a towel that could irritate it. It is important to remember that tretinoin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so be sure to wear sunscreen and avoid over-exposure. It may take six weeks or more before you begin to see results, but regular application is crucial for success. You should also expect to experience some skin “purging”, where blackheads and whiteheads appear, but this is a good sign and is usually short-lived. Tretinoin 0.1% cream