Full Benefits: In general, the more you use tretinoin the more you will see the benefits. As a general rule, you may start to see peak effects after 6-12 months of consistent use. At this point, you may need to consider increasing the dose if appropriate.
AFTER 4 – 6 WEEKS
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.
Start small and increase slowly
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.
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.
After three months of daily use, tretinoin often provides significant relief from acne. It helps to unclog pores, reduce inflammation, and prevent new acne lesions from forming. Your skin is likely to appear clearer with fewer pimples and blackheads.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Wait 20 to 30 minutes before applying this medicine to make sure the skin is completely dry. Applying tretinoin to wet skin can irritate it. To use the cream, gel, or lotion form of this medicine: Apply just enough medicine to very lightly cover the affected areas, and rub in gently but well.
Tazarotene may get you results much faster than tretinoin, especially if you have a lot of very visible sun damage on your face, and in one study tazarotene worked more effectively for photodamage, fine wrinkling, mottled hyperpigmentation, and coarse wrinkling.
Your unique skin type
Everyone's skin is unique, and different skin types react differently to tretinoin and retinoids more generally. If you're a Dermatica subscriber, reach out to your dermatology team through your dashboard. Sometimes adjusting the concentration, or how frequently you use it, can increase results.
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.
It's important to understand that 12 weeks is a general timeline for the results of tretinoin use to become visible. Many tretinoin users experience improvements sooner, while others may need to wait for slightly longer than 12 weeks for optimal results.
Which skin products are compatible with tretinoin? Hyaluronic acid is the standout topical compatible with virtually everything, followed by niacinamide. Some prescription formulations combine retinoids with other ingredients such as hydroquinone.
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.
Tretinoin is often used to treat a range of skin concerns around your T-zone, which includes your forehead and chin, two common areas for acne. Tret is very successful in the treatment — and even prevention — of acne, thanks to its powerful cell-regenerating and exfoliating abilities.
Purge & Progress (Weeks 2-8): This period can see an uptick in breakouts as Tretinoin accelerates cell turnover. While disheartening, this is temporary and normal. Your doctor can help you get through this by adjusting your protocol.
Apply your tretinoin in a thin layer to your entire face (avoiding eyes, lips and nostrils) and allow to absorb completely, which usually takes 15-20 minutes. Once your tretinoin is completely absorbed by your skin, apply a thin layer of moisturizer to your entire face.
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.
“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.
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.
One of the most popular hydrating ingredients, Hyaluronic acid is excellent to pair with Tretinoin in compounded treatments.
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.