Conclusion: Tretinoin 0.05% formulated as a micronized gel 0.05% showed minimal degradation when exposed to fluorescent light over eight hours. This same formulation exhibited a clear dose-response degradation pattern when exposed to simulated solar light.
When retinol (a form of vitamin A) is exposed to sunlight, it can degrade and lose its effectiveness. Here are some key points to consider: Degradation: UV radiation can cause retinol to break down, reducing its potency and effectiveness in promoting skin cell turnover and collagen production.
For users taking prescriptive levels of Retin A such as Tretinoin we do not recommend the use of light devices as there is a chance of having a reaction. Retin A should be discontinued for at least five days before performing light therapy treatments.
Using Tretinoin Correctly
The best time to use Tretinoin is at night. This is because light can degrade Tretinoin and make it less effective. Even more importantly, your skin regenerates the most at night and so your skills will get the maximum benefits from Tretinoin when it is applied during this period.
During the first 6 months of use, avoid overexposing the treated areas to sunlight, wind, or cold weather. The skin will be more prone to sunburn, dryness, or irritation, especially during the first 2 or 3 weeks. However, you should not stop using this medicine unless the skin irritation becomes too severe.
As tretinoin has been shown to degrade rapidly when exposed to light, its use in the clinical setting has essentially been limited to evening application, thus reducing the flexibility of the treatment regimen.
You might think that, because tretinoin can heighten sensitivity to the sun, it's best to avoid using it altogether during the warmer months. However, consistency is key for achieving your skin goals – so, as long as you're protecting your skin from the sun, it's absolutely fine to use tretinoin during the summer.
The tretinoin in Retin A cream is very prone to break down by exposure to light. UVA breaks down tretinoin the most but the peak wavelength that does this is 420nm, which is just into the visible light spectrum right outside of the UVA wavelength spectrum.
For experienced retinoid users and those with severe acne, hyperpigmentation or wrinkles, 0.1% Tretinoin strength may be needed. This highest concentration is up to 20X stronger than retinol. However, with increased strength comes a greater likelihood of side effects.
Option one: The sandwich technique
After washing your face, apply a layer of moisturiser. Allow it to dry down for 5-10 minutes. Then, apply a pea-sized amount of tretinoin to your entire face. Allow this to dry down for 5-10 minutes.
In most cases, retinol is fine after LED treatment but not before. Depending on the type of retinol you are using, it may be quite harsh/sensitising on your skin, especially when combined with light.
One of the problems with the use of tretinoin is that it sensitises the skin to sunlight and people will burn easily without adequate photo protection. A history of sunburn in the past is one of the risk factors for skin cancer, both for melanoma and for non-melanoma skin cancers.
When tretinoin is combined with certain medications and products, dryness and skin irritation may worsen. Examples of tretinoin interactions include interactions with other retinoid products like adapalene (Differin, Epiduo), salicylic acid, and glycolic acid.
Retinol also speeds up the rate at which skin sheds, so the new cells underneath are more sensitive to the sun. All reasons why Dr Tewari advises you should only ever apply retinol at night during the summer and any other time of year.
With and without exposition to light, adapalene exhibits a remarkable stability whereas tretinoin is very sensitive to light and oxidation. The combination of benzoyl peroxide and light results in more than 50% degradation of tretinoin in about 2 h and 95% in 24 h.
The retinol uglies can last anywhere from 4–8 weeks. The exact length of a retinoid purge depends very much on your skin type and sensitivity. The amount and strength of your retinoid product can also play a part. Some people experience a purge flare-up for only a few days, and others don't get it at all.
In general a lower tretinoin strength (0.025%) may be used for mild to moderate acne, while higher strengths (0.05% or 0.1%) may be used for more severe or stubborn acne,” says Dr. Anna Chacon, dermatologist.
They can assess your skin's condition and recommend appropriate treatments or formulations that are safe and effective for this sensitive area. If your dermatologist does recommend you use tretinoin for under-eye wrinkles, apply a very small amount and avoid the direct under-eye area.
You should aim to use tretinoin every night, however, you must start slowly as your skin needs to get used to it. The first 2 weeks apply it 2 to 3 nights per week, after that try applying it every other day, and then if your skin can handle it, apply it every night.
The skin on the neck is thinner and more sensitive, so it may not tolerate tretinoin well, causing irritation. However, if you want to address signs of ageing on your neck, you may benefit from using tretinoin there. To avoid irritation, start with a lower frequency on your neck and build up as your skin tolerates it.
The collagen-boosting properties of tretinoin will help you maintain skin firmness and elasticity. Your skin may appear more toned and resilient, and sagging is less likely.
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.
Sunlight exposure can make Tretinoin less effective, too, which is why it's important to apply it at night and be diligent about your sunscreen habit during the day. To do more than just block harmful UV rays, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen like EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46.
With regard to efficacy, all studies consistently reported that topical tretinoin was efficacious in improving clinical appearance of photoaging in terms of wrinkling, mottled hyperpigmentation, sallowness, and lentigines as early as 1 month and lasted after 24 months.
Retinoids have been implicated in causing mild-to-moderate elevations in routine liver tests, but these elevations are usually asymptomatic and transient, resolving spontaneously even with continued therapy.