For acne treatment, some users may begin to see improvements in as little as 2-3 weeks. However, most people will see noticeable results after at least 6-12 weeks of consistent use.
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.
Retin-A (tretinoin) is a topical medication that's effective for the treatment of acne, wrinkles, and skin damage from the sun. It starts working within the first few weeks of treatment for acne, but can take 3 to 6 months for wrinkles.
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.
Skin purging is a common side effect of using tretinoin. It usually appears right after the medication is first used, or when you increase the dosage.
Vitamin A can be unstable as an ingredient, and this can mean your skin will become more sensitive. There is often an initial phase when using retinoids for the first time, known by many as the 'retinoid uglies'. Essentially, your skin can see a decline before improvement during an adjustment period.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Inconsistent use will not produce results. Period. Retinoids are inactivated by UV light, so must be applied at night. Additionally, retinoids can be inactivated by other topical skin care ingredients, most commonly salicylic acid.
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.
The time it takes to start fading hyperpigmentation varies depending on severity and whether you're using Tretinoin alongside Hydroquinone. Noticeable improvements in skin tone may start after as little as 6-8 weeks or as much as 3-6 months of regular use.
Skin purging is common, but doesn't necessarily happen to everyone. In fact some people don't experience it at all. For those of us who do suffer from purging, it can look like: breaking out in pustules (pimples), the appearance of flaky, peeling skin, irritation and dry patches.
The question should be, can you tolerate tretinoin every night? If you can tolerate the nightly application of tretinoin, go for it. The majority of people will have this topical as part of their skin care routine which may include other activities such as ascorbic acid, AHAs, BHAs, combination acids & antioxidants.
You'll get more effective results from tretinoin than any other over-the-counter exfoliants like BHAs and AHAs. This is why there's usually no need to use other exfoliants when you're on tretinoin – it's best to avoid doubling up, which can damage the skin barrier and cause irritation.
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 seems to be tolerating tretinoin well (no redness or dryness, for instance), you can step up your usage by another day per week and repeat the process for another month or so. “The ultimate goal is to use it anywhere between three to six days a week,” Dr. Sanghvi says.
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.
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.
Peptides. These are a group of amino acids that play a crucial role in skin repair and collagen production. When compounded with Tretinoin, peptides may enhance its anti-ageing benefits by helping to improve skin firmness and elasticity. They can also help reinforce the skin's barrier and improve skin texture.
Fans of retinoids often boast of an effect called “tret glow”, which is the glowing complexion they get after using the product for a while. You can get that glow faster and treat underlying skin concerns with the following aesthetic treatments to enhance your retinoid results.