How You Use Retin-A Micro. You'll use Retin-A Micro at first every other night before bed, on average three times per week, then slowly work your way up to applying Retin-A Micro every night as your skin gets used to it. First, you'll want to wash your face well with a gentle cleanser and pat dry.
Generally, it is fine to use tretinoin every night, but you may not want to because of the initial side effects, especially when you first start. You should only use tretinoin as prescribed to avoid significant skin irritation, redness, and other side effects.
Retin-A Micro (tretinoin gel) microsphere, 0.1% and 0.04%, should be applied once a day, in the evening, to the skin where acne lesions appear, using enough to cover the entire affected area lightly. Application of excessive amounts of gel may result in “caking” of the gel, and will not provide incremental efficacy.
Doctors generally recommend using no more than a pea-size dab for the entire face. They advise using the product once every three nights (or once a week if skin feels irritated) for a couple of weeks, then every other night, eventually working up to every night if the skin can handle it.
It might take two or three weeks of using Retin-A (treitinoin) to see any benefits. However, in some cases, it may take six weeks or more. Does Retin-A clear up acne scars?
If you stop using the medication or are inconsistent with your treatment, any improvements you see may disappear over time. Always use the product as prescribed by your healthcare provider (Rodan, 2016).
Most people start to see the benefit of daily derm-grade retinoid use around 6 weeks. If used every 2-3 days, then it would take around 10 weeks to see. If only used once weekly, it may take up to 3 months to start seeing results.
Can you use retinol every day? Start slow. If you're a new user, your skin may only be able to tolerate retinol once every other day or so. As your skin gets used to retinol, you can apply it more often.
Retinoids work best if you use them daily. Specifically, they should be used at night because some types are deactivated by light and air. It's important to start slowly and allow your skin time to adjust. Using too much too quickly can cause redness, dryness, and irritation.
As a result of its effects on your skin's cellular turnover speed, tretinoin reduces the appearance of wrinkles, evens out your skin's pigmentation and also treats skin issues such as acne. The end result is smoother, younger looking skin that's much less affected by fine lines, wrinkles or other common signs of aging.
Tretinoin for acne. Apply tretinoin exactly as your doctor tells you to. You will be asked to apply it either once or twice a day. Your skin may become more sensitive to sunlight than usual.
Retin-A Micro is a costlier, time-released version that is available only as a gel. It is less likely to cause irritation and dryness and can be applied immediately after cleansing. However, it may not be as effective as Retin-A cream for anti-aging treatments and may be better suited than creams for oilier skin types.
You Don't Need to Use Tretinoin Every Day to See Results
While most dermatologists recommend tretinoin as a once-daily treatment, your healthcare provider may recommend using the medication less frequently if you're concerned about side effects.
If you can't tolerate using tretinoin every night at first, try applying it every other night or every third night for the first few weeks. The flaking and irritation are usually the worst in the first two weeks of application. As your skin adjusts to the medicine, you can apply it more frequently.
"You can use tretinoin or [over-the-counter] retinols forever."
It can take one to two minutes for the tretinoin cream or gel to begin to absorb into your skin, at which point it should no longer be visible. Set a timer for 20 minutes and avoid touching your skin or applying any other skincare products until the tretinoin has been fully absorbed.
“If you're overusing your retinol, or if you're using a retinol that's too strong for you, it can lead to peeling, irritation, and excessive dryness, which may have led to retinol's association with skin thinning,” she says.
A formula with retinol, like the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Eye Treatment, should be applied after your serums and before moisturizer due to its consistency.
Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely. While it is true that retinol – a form of vitamin A – is a powerful ingredient and the skin under your eyes is delicate, there's no reason why you should miss out on the amazing benefits of retinol.
Absolutely. The skin should always be protected during the day and restored at night. Since retinol is reparative, you should apply at night.
When you first start using Retin-A, apply it every other night or every third night. The flaking and irritation are usually the worst in the first two weeks. As your skin adjusts to the medicine, you can apply it more frequently.
If you do choose to use an exfoliant with tretinoin, avoid using it too frequently. A good strategy is to begin by exfoliating once per week, then increase to twice per week at most if your skin is smooth, healthy and irritation-free after a few weeks of tretinoin usage.
Generally speaking, dermatologists say purging should be over within four to six weeks of starting a new skin care regimen. If your purge lasts longer than six weeks, consult your dermatologist. It could be that you need to adjust the dosage and/or frequency of application.
Steps for applying tretinoin
Gently apply to the specific areas on your skin where you need it to work. The medication should fade into your skin right away. If it doesn't, try using a little less the next day. Keep in mind that using a larger amount of tretinoin or using it more often won't make it work faster.