Does Retin-A lighten dark spots?

Author: Sophie Sipes  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Retin-A can improve skin texture and fade dark spots and freckles because it causes skin cells to turn over more rapidly. It shrinks dilated pores and improves cell turnover within the pores so they are less likely to clog and become blackheads and whiteheads.

How long does it take for tretinoin to lighten dark spots?

If you're using topical tretinoin to reduce wrinkles, discoloration, age spots, and/or rough feeling skin, it can take 3–4 months or up to six months before you see results.

Does retinol help reduce dark spots?

Retinol also stimulates collagen production, which is another way it diminishes dark spots. Not only will dark spots be reduced, but wrinkles and sagging skin will also begin to diminish, and the effects of retinol products will continue to work just as effectively over time.

Can retinol make dark spots worse?

“If the retinol you're using is too strong for your skin causing inflammation, darker skin tones may have a higher risk of discoloration, or hyperpigmentation, from the use of it," she adds. Dr. Icecreamwala recommends starting with a retinol that is 0.3 or 0.5 percent.

Does tretinoin lighten skin?

Tretinoin Does Not “Bleach” Your Skin

Contrary to popular belief, tretinoin is not a “bleaching agent” or medicine designed specifically to lighten your skin tone. While tretinoin can even out patches of hyperpigmentation and cause a mild change in your skin tone, it doesn't affect melanin synthesis.

RETIN-A FOR MELASMA & HYPERPIGMENTATION|Dr Dray

How long does retinol take to fade hyperpigmentation?

Peer reviewed studies suggest you should consult your doctor if you're not seeing any results by week 12. In patients with sun-damaged skin, improvements in the skin usually are seen within the first 3-4 weeks of treatment. Brown spots begin to fade after 6-8 weeks.

Which retinol is best for dark spots?

Go Strong. Retinol and vitamin C are two of the best ingredients for fading dark spots. Try SkinMedica Lytera Skin Brightening Complex, a "blend of vitamin C and retinol that's reliably effective," says Francesca Fusco, a dermatologist in New York City.

Is retinol or vitamin C better for dark spots?

First, vitamin C works to help improve the look of dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. Then, retinol steps in to help improve skin's elasticity. The result is that retinol and other retinoids may help improve skin's texture while helping to minimize the look of fine lines.

What fades dark spots the fastest?

Committing to a dark-spot-correcting serum with any and all of the brightening ingredients we mentioned before (vitamin c, retinol, tranexamic acid, kojic acid)—can significantly speed up the process and help fade dark spots even faster.

Can I use tretinoin forever?

"You can use tretinoin or [over-the-counter] retinols forever."

Does tretinoin cause dark spots?

Skin Discoloration

Tretinoin can fade spots on the face, evening out your skin tone and helping to hide the blotchy coloration that can affect many people's facial skin. In some cases, however, tretinoin can also cause small patches of skin to darken, producing noticeable skin discoloration.

Should I use tretinoin every night?

Generally, it is fine to use tretinoin every night, but you may not want to because of the initial side effects, especially when you first start. You should only use tretinoin as prescribed to avoid significant skin irritation, redness, and other side effects.

Why wont my dark spots fade?

The condition is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and it's insanely common among all skin tones. The spots typically appear after your skin has experienced some type of inflammation (acne, mosquito bites, or other traumas).

How do dermatologists get rid of dark spots?

A dermatologist may recommend one of the following treatments for dark spots on the skin:
  1. Laser treatment. Different types of lasers are available. ...
  2. Microdermabrasion. ...
  3. Chemical peels. ...
  4. Cryotherapy. ...
  5. Prescription skin-lightening cream.

How can I lighten my hyperpigmentation fast?

Start with topical OTC whitening creams. “Treatments containing ingredients like vitamin C, licorice root, and kojic acid help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the formation of skin-darkening melanin," says Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist.

Does retinol lighten hyperpigmentation?

Retinol, a form of vitamin A, “is a multitasker with improvement in hyperpigmentation, acne and texture while also increasing collagen production to minimize fine lines and wrinkles,” says Love.

Is it OK to use retinol and vitamin C together?

The truth: You can use vitamin C with retinol and retinoids. Get them as separate products so you can tailor the concentration of each and use them at the right time of day. Although vitamin C can be used day or night, it is ideal for daytime use, while retinol and retinoids should be applied at night.

How long does it take for vitamin C to fade dark spots?

What It Does: This potent antioxidant interferes with the production of pigment in the skin, fading dark spots. When You'll See Results: Once you add vitamin C to your skincare regimen, you may start seeing noticeable improvements in three weeks. It can help significantly fade hyperpigmentation in about two months.

Is tretinoin good for dark spots?

Tretinoin can help dark spots fade, allowing you to have a more even skin tone. It decreases the amount of melanin in your skin cells (Zasada, 2019). When used for discoloration, tretinoin is usually combined with other skin-lightening products, sometimes in the form of a chemical peel (Lawrence, 2021).

Does Retin-A make you look younger?

As a result of its effects on your skin's cellular turnover speed, tretinoin reduces the appearance of wrinkles, evens out your skin's pigmentation and also treats skin issues such as acne. The end result is smoother, younger looking skin that's much less affected by fine lines, wrinkles or other common signs of aging.

How long until you see results from Retin-A?

It might take two or three weeks of using Retin-A (treitinoin) to see any benefits. However, in some cases, it may take six weeks or more.

How often should you use Retin-A?

Doctors generally recommend using no more than a pea-size dab for the entire face. They advise using the product once every three nights (or once a week if skin feels irritated) for a couple of weeks, then every other night, eventually working up to every night if the skin can handle it.

What do doctors prescribe for dark spots?

Doctors usually prescribe a 4% hydroquinone cream, and a 2% version is available over the counter. "Hydroquinone can be irritating and can actually increase pigmentation if used for too long, so I have patients take a 'holiday' every 3 months and use other lightening agents," Tanzi says.

Do dark spots stay forever?

A spot that is a few shades darker than your natural skin color will usually fade within 6 to 12 months. If the color lies deep in your skin, however, fading can take years. Discoloration that lies deep in the skin is often slate blue to gray in color.

What is best for brown spots on face?

Medications. Applying prescription bleaching creams (hydroquinone) alone or with retinoids (tretinoin) and a mild steroid might gradually fade the spots over several months. The treatments might cause temporary itching, redness, burning or dryness. Laser and intense pulsed light.

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