During the first 3 weeks you are using tretinoin, your skin may become irritated. Also, your acne may seem to get worse before it gets better. It may take longer than 12 weeks before you notice full improvement of your acne, even if you use the medicine every day.
“During the skin purge, your skin speeds up the cell turnover faster than it's used to so the substances clogging your pores get pushed to the surface of your skin faster, so you may experience slight inflammation, contributing to additional breakouts,” says Dr. Fernandez.
How long does a tretinoin purge last? Results will vary from person to person. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends waiting four to six weeks for any new skin care treatment to start clearing up skin. If you are experiencing purge symptoms after six weeks, talk to your provider.
Initial Adaptation:
The first 2-6 weeks of using Tretinoin generally involve your skin getting used to it.
Dr. Mohta says that the so-called tretinoin purge is a common skin reaction that occurs when a patient uses tretinoin for the first time. The symptoms often associated with this process include intensified acne breakouts (for a short period of 2 to 6 weeks), severe skin dryness and peeling, redness and irritation.
During the first 3 weeks you are using tretinoin, your skin may become irritated. Also, your acne may seem to get worse before it gets better. It may take longer than 12 weeks before you notice full improvement of your acne, even if you use the medicine every day.
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.
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.
Once you've massaged the Tretinoin onto your skin, you can apply your serums and/or moisturiser if you use these at night. There isn't a golden rule about how long to wait before applying these as different formulations of Tretinoin take different times to absorb. If in doubt, wait for 15-20 minutes.
Also known as 'retinol burn', retinol uglies refer to side effects generally caused by more highly concentrated forms of retinol or by use on more sensitive skin [4]. Indications that you're experiencing retinol burn include: Dry skin. Redness contributing to uneven skin tone.
The skin purging from tretinoin usually lasts for anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months. It can range in severity from a few minor pimples, to major breakouts, skin dryness, flaking, peeling and other skin irritation.
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.
Three inexpensive moisturizers that our physicians love are Vanicream Daily Facial Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid, Neutrogena Hydroboost Gel, and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum. All three of these are affordable, non-comedogenic,and blend well with tretinoin.
In other words, when you use certain products, your skin is likely to look worse before it looks better. A purge can look like blackheads and whiteheads, and it's likely to appear in the places where you normally break out.
Tretinoin cream works by promoting rapid cell turnover, which helps unclog pores, smooth the skin's surface, and fade discolorations.
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.
“The strength of tretinoin prescribed for anti-aging will depend on multiple factors. However, in general, a low to moderate strength of tretinoin (0.025% to 0.05%) is often recommended for anti-aging purposes, because it tends to be effective while minimizing the risk of irritation,” she added.
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.
Yes, tretinoin can be used to treat dark circles under the eyes. It has been found to effectively reduce darkness related to pigment and improve overall skin texture. However, it's important to consult a dermatology provider before starting tretinoin treatment for dark circles.
Hyaluronic acid can also be used in combination with Clindamycin gel and Tretinoin when treating acne because it helps moisturize the skin. Hyaluronic acid can be combined with almost all other skin care ingredients because it helps to hydrate, plump, and protect the skin.
Exfoliate to Amp It Up
You can further boost the efficacy of both retinol and tretinoin by exfoliating for better penetration. Treatments featuring the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), glycolic acid, can be great for unblocking the skin's surface by removing dead cells.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever; weight gain; swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; shortness of breath; labored breathing; wheezing; chest pain; or cough.
Yes! Tretinoin can help tighten your skin to some extent. It works primarily by stimulating collagen production and accelerating cell turnover, which can in turn, improve skin texture and elasticity making the skin appear firmer and youthful.