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.
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.
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.
On the other hand, an opened tretinoin tube that has not expired may be less effective than an unopened but expired tube of tretinoin. This can happen due to the chemical composition of tretinoin degrading, which can lead to a reduction in its potency and effectiveness over time.
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.
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.
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.
If you are wondering if tretinoin expires, tretinoin products typically have an expiration date of two years after the manufacturing date. After this time, the product may become less effective or even cause skin irritation or other side effects.
Background: Various formulations of tretinoin (gel, liquid, cream) have been reported to be unstable on the skin under bright artificial light or sunlight. This photodegradation can potentially influence treatment regimens and possibly modify efficacy.
Tretinoin and other topical retinoids should be replaced every 5-6 months. Even if the expiration date is well in the future, once the tube is opened it will begin to lose potency.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One of the most common misconceptions is that retinol and tretinoin thin the skin. In reality, they do the opposite.
Apply tretinoin only at night as it gets inactivated in the presence of light. Moreover, due to its extreme photosensitive potential, it is not advisable to ever apply it in the daytime.
Apply a base layer of your favourite moisturizer, then apply tretinoin. Studies have shown that the base layer does not dilute or reduce the efficacy of the retinoid, in fact it helps with tolerability. Look for ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid or squalene as a key moisturizing ingredient.
Some people may experience side effects when using tretinoin, especially as their skin adjusts. Also, it's possible for irritation from tretinoin to make skin darker, especially if you have more melanated skin.
Here's how to tell if your retinol has gone bad: Color Change: Fresh retinol products typically have a yellowish hue. If you notice that your retinol cream or serum has turned darker, especially brown, this is a sign that it has oxidized and is no longer effective.
Renova and Retin-A are sometimes hailed as miracle products that promise youthful, blemish-free, smooth skin to anyone from the age of 15 through to 70. However long-term use of Tretinoin, the generic name for these products, does not come without long-term issues some of which are under-stated and rarely reported.
Storage. Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Keep out of the reach of children.
You may also want to avoid salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and erythromycin gel (Erthygel), as these ingredients and products can cause dryness. Though, your dermatologist can help you decide if combining these products with tretinoin is safe. Tretinoin can also cause sun sensitivity.
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.
If your skin is irritated, buffer with moisturizer
You can help protect your skin with a layer of moisturizer before applying the tretinoin. This generally doesn't reduce the effectiveness of the medication, but can help to soothe and moisturize the skin.