If you're using tretinoin, time your shave in the morning. Buffer and prevent razor friction with a moisturising shaving balm and apply your Daily Doser in the evening, providing your skin isn't damaged or feeling more sensitive than usual. Medical facts checked by Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Malvina Cunningham.
It's generally a good idea to shave in the morning and apply retinol in the evening. This allows some time for your skin to recover from the potential irritation caused by shaving before applying a retinol product.
You should avoid washing the skin treated with tretinoin for at least 1 hour after applying it. Avoid using any topical medicine on the same area within 1 hour before or after using tretinoin. Otherwise, tretinoin may not work properly or skin irritation might occur.
Precautions: Always use sunscreen (SPF 50) daily and avoid dermaplaning, waxing, or sun exposure while using tretinoin.
If you're using tretinoin, time your shave in the morning. Buffer and prevent razor friction with a moisturising shaving balm and apply your Daily Doser in the evening, providing your skin isn't damaged or feeling more sensitive than usual.
Ideally you want to leave 5 day to a week before and after dermaplaning before you reintroduce retinol back into your daily skincare routine. If you layer retinol on the skin after dermaplaning it will lead to the skin becoming irritated, dry with flaky patches of skin and redness.
When you first start using tretinoin, you may start with a lower percentage that you apply just two or three times a week. After two weeks, if your skin is adjusting well to the tretinoin, you can consider increasing use to every night as tolerated.
In conclusion, tretinoin has shown promise in promoting hair growth due to its ability to stimulate cell growth and enhance blood supply to hair follicles. While many have reported positive outcomes, it's essential to consult with a dermatologist to determine if it's the right option for you.
Applying excessive amounts of tretinoin onto the skin to make acne go away faster will not work. This can make the skin worse by causing extreme dryness, peeling, or redness. It may take up to six weeks of tretinoin treatment to see results. Make sure to use sunscreen, especially in the summertime.
Dr Kiran acknowledges some evidence that suggests tretinoin may aid in hair growth: Tretinoin promotes cell turnover, which can help rejuvenate hair follicles. It may enhance the absorption of other hair growth treatments, such as minoxidil.
Avoid other topical retinoids, and skin care products containing retinol, with tretinoin. You may also want to avoid salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and erythromycin gel (Erthygel), as these ingredients and products can cause dryness.
Techniques such as threading and plucking can be used with care as well as some of the gentle depilatory creams. Care needs to be taken when using topical retinoids when having laser hair removal and is probably best to stop using retinoids for at least seven days before treatment.
"It definitely exfoliates your face when you shave," says dermatologist Dr. Michael Swann.
How come when I shave I still have stubble? There could be several reasons for this, including using a dull razor, shaving against the grain, or applying too much pressure.
After 4-6 weeks, your skin will get used to Tretinoin and will begin to be noticeably smoother and more even. Depending on how often you use Tretinoin, you may begin to see full benefits by this point. A lot of the initial irritation will settle down and true “retinization” of your skin is in full force.
Dr Malvina Cunningham: Retinoids like tretinoin and vitamin C work well together as they both promote collagen production and enhance each other's effect. Vitamin C is generally less of an irritant so these can often be applied in combination. Retinoids like tretinoin and niacinamide work well too.
Some people may notice that this side effect goes away within a few weeks of use, while others may have flaky skin for up to two months. Regardless of how long it takes to subside, tretinoin peeling is temporary and will go away once your skin gets used to the product.
Retinol also stimulates collagen production which can repair scarring caused by ingrowns. Tip: if you shave and also want to use a retinol product, shave in the morning and use your retinol product at night to reduce the chance of irritation.
Dermaplaning is a beauty treatment for the face only. Shaving (even with a safety razor) can remove hairs all over your body. See our article on how to shave pubic hair using a safety razor! We certainly do not recommend dermaplaning anywhere other than your face.
After Your Treatment
Cold compresses (not ice) and recommended skin care products may be useful to reduce swelling or discomfort. You may take over-the counter pain or anti-inflammatory medication. Hydrocortisone (steroid) cream may decrease any inching or skin irritation.
Laser treatments
If you're willing to put in the time and money, laser treatments can reduce hair growth permanently. The treatments are done by dermatologists, professionals they oversee or other operators, depending on state laws. Lasers work by targeting pigment in the hair follicle.
Before your Treatment
24-48 HOURS BEFORE treatment, discontinue products containing exfoliating agents (retinoic acid, tretinoin, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, astringents, etc.). AVOID bleaching, waxing, tweezing, or using depilatory creams in the treatment area.
Skin purging typically lasts anywhere between four to six weeks which is roughly in line with how long it takes for your skin cells to naturally turnover. During this phase, it might seem like your skin is getting worse but it should settle down and improve after you've passed this period.