Is there an age limit for tretinoin?

Author: Aniyah Wuckert DDS  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Retin-A (tretinoin) is a retinoid medication that's used to treat acne in adults and children 12 years and older. It's available as a cream or a gel that's applied onto the skin once a day. Side effects include skin irritation, redness, and peeling.

What is the age limit for tretinoin cream?

For topical dosage form (lotion): Adults and children 9 years of age and older—Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) of the skin once a day. Children younger than 9 years of age— Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Can you use tretinoin at any age?

Tretinoin is approved for people 12 years of age or more and some of the micronized versions may be used by people 9 years of age or older.

Can 14 year olds use tretinoin?

Acne vulgaris (acne) is a common skin condition in children and adolescents. Efficacy of tretinoin is well documented in studies that included pediatric patients (12‐18 years of age). With acne routinely presenting in younger patients, data are needed in this important group.

Can I use tretinoin as a 21 year old?

Retinol can give you younger-looking skin by speeding up new skin cell turnover, which starts to slow in your 20s. To treat acne, dermatologists prescribe one of these retinoids – adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin, or trifarotene.

TRETINOIN - THE GREATEST LIE EVER TOLD!

Is tretinoin 0.1 the strongest?

What is the strongest dose (strength) of tretinoin? The strongest dose (concentration) of tretinoin is 0.1% which is sold as a cream under the brand name of Retin-A and is sold as a gel under the brand name Retin-A micro.

How long does tretinoin purge last?

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.

Is tretinoin ok for kids?

While it may be prescribed for children as young as 9 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply. Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

Does tretinoin make you age slower?

With regard to efficacy, all studies consistently reported that topical tretinoin was efficacious in improving clinical appearance of photoaging in terms of wrinkling, mottled hyperpigmentation, sallowness, and lentigines as early as 1 month and lasted after 24 months.

Does tretinoin peeling ever stop?

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.

What is the downside of tretinoin?

Topical tretinoin can cause your skin to become dry, red, swollen, blistered, or flaky. It may also cause your skin to itch, be painful, or feel like it is burning. Stop using topical tretinoin and call your healthcare provider if these symptoms become worse or do not go away.

Why is tretinoin making my skin look older?

In fact, the skin isn't getting worse but the initial period of adjustment may include skin dryness, flaking or irritation makes it look rougher. This then makes the skin look more aged or tired. Potential for Long-term Damage: If you don't use Tretinoin properly then you can damage the skin under your eyes.

Does tretinoin destroy the skin barrier?

Prescription retinoids like tretinoin are extremely powerful. This means you must use them properly under the guidance of your dermatologist or doctor — or you could risk some unpleasant reactions like burning skin or a damaged skin barrier.

Who should not use tretinoin?

Tretinoin must not be taken by patients who are pregnant or who may become pregnant. There is a high risk that tretinoin will cause the baby to be born with birth defects (physical problems that are present at birth). If you can become pregnant, you will need to avoid pregnancy during your treatment with tretinoin.

Does tretinoin make you gain weight?

Check with your doctor right away if you start to have chest discomfort, pain, or tightness, cough, fever, swelling in the hands, ankles, or feet, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, or weight gain. This medicine may cause leukocytosis (high white blood cell count), which may be life-threatening.

What age can you use tretinoin gel?

Clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel is prescription medicine used on the skin to treat acne in people 12 years and older. It is not known if clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age.

Is 60 too old for tretinoin?

It's never too early or too late for an adult to use tretinoin! Both the short term benefits and the long term benefits are readily visible and worth the effort.

Is topical tretinoin bad for the liver?

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.

What is the best age to start tretinoin?

The best age to start using tretinoin

As Dr Malvina says, tretinoin is a multitasker, so it can be used at different ages for different reasons. It works by speeding up removal of dead cells and debris that can block pores, and so is often prescribed to treat both teenage and adult acne.

Does tretinoin affect hair growth?

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.

What happens if you use too much tretinoin?

Applying excessive amounts of tretinoin onto the skin to make acne go away faster will not work. This can make the skin worse by causing extreme dryness, peeling, or redness. It may take up to six weeks of tretinoin treatment to see results. Make sure to use sunscreen, especially in the summertime.

Why is tretinoin prescription only?

Tretinoin is available by prescription only because while it is more potent than retinol, it also has an increased potential for side effects. Therefore, treatment with tretinoin has to be under the supervision and medical advice of a healthcare provider.

What are the tretinoin uglies?

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.

What are the negative long-term effects of tretinoin?

What harm does Tretinoin do to the skin?
  • It makes the skin significantly more vulnerable to UV damage.
  • It causes contact irritant and photosensitivity reactions.
  • It damages the skin's barrier.
  • It increases chronic inflammation which in turn disrupts barrier function.
  • Its use in one study has been linked to premature death.

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