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.
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.
To minimize potential side effects, it's best to go slowly and carefully with tretinoin. Begin by applying it twice a week or every other day and gradually work your way up. Daily tretinoin use is an ideal target for many people, but some may find that excessive.
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 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.
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.
While over-the-counter products might have retinol concentrations up to 2%, tretinoin typically ranges between 0.01% and 0.1%. But here's the catch: Tretinoin can be up to 20 times stronger than retinol! So, when you see a 1% retinol product, it doesn't have the same punch as tretinoin, even at a lower concentration.
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.
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.
Another common question is: "How long should you wait to apply moisturizer after retinol, Retin-A or other tretinoin products?" To get the best results from tretinoin, it's important to wait for your skin to be completely dry before applying.
Conclusion: After 48 weeks of once-daily treatment, the continued use of tretinoin emollient cream 0.05% at a dose of three times per week maintains and, in some cases, may further enhance improvement in photodamage.
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.
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.
Retinol increases skin cell production (proliferation). It helps unclog pores. Retinol also exfoliates your skin and increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, plump appearance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Because it aids in boosting collagen production, studies have shown that it will strengthen your skin's elasticity to target fine lines, firm sagging skin, and smooth out uneven texture.
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.
A 0.5-percent concentration is a good baseline.
For beginners, most dermatologists recommend a retinol with a concentration of 0.25 percent to one percent to see results. If your skin is not sensitive, you can usually tolerate something right in the middle; Dr.
Tretinoin, on the other hand, is more effective, resulting in faster and more noticeable results, especially for severe skin conditions. Outcomes: Because of the conversion process and lower activity, retinol takes longer to provide noticeable outcomes (usually weeks to months).
In conclusion, tretinoin has shown promise in promoting hair growth due to its ability to stimulate cell growth and enhance blood supply to hair follicles. While many have reported positive outcomes, it's essential to consult with a dermatologist to determine if it's the right option for you.