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. However, skip a night or two if your skin is irritated, because it will make it worse.
Schwartz suggests easing into it by using tretinoin every other night at first so that your skin can adapt to it and develop a tolerance. Then, if you and your doctor decide that you might need to use it more frequently, you can apply tretinoin daily.
Common tretinoin side effects include skin irritation, sun sensitivity, and skin discoloration. These are typically mild effects, and you can manage several of them by applying tretinoin properly and protecting your skin from the sun.
“After the first month or so, you should then try applying it nightly. Tretinoin works best when used consistently, but you should skip a night or two if your skin is flaky or red.”
Start by using a small amount every third night for a week, and then start using a small amount every other night. Once your skin is comfortable, try every night and drop back to every other night if you notice redness or irritation on your skin.
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.
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.
Start Slow (2-3 Nights a Week)
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.
For many, tretinoin is highly effective at treating acne, but it's still possible to experience breakouts once you stop using it.
Tretinoin is a popular prescription-strength retinoid used to treat acne and help reduce the visible signs of aging. Using too much too soon can leave your skin dry, itchy, flaky, or red—but a little irritation when you first start is common and expected.
Conclusion: Long-term treatment with tretinoin emollient cream 0.05% is safe and effective in subjects with moderate to severe facial photodamage.
If you're primarily using retinol for anti-aging purposes, using it every other night or a few times a week may suffice. However, if you're battling acne, your dermatologist may recommend daily usage or a higher concentration.
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.
However, you should not stop using this medicine unless the skin irritation becomes too severe. Do not use a sunlamp. To help tretinoin work properly, regularly use sunscreen or sunblocking lotions with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
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.
Signs you should stop using tretinoin
It's normal to experience some dryness, peeling, and irritation—maybe even some purging—as you adjust to using tretinoin. But if the side effects become severe or don't go away, it might be time to hit pause and give your skin a breather.
However, a 2019 study notes that using tretinoin with a moisturizer can help reduce its potential irritation and drying effects. However, while moisturizers may provide relief, combining other skin products with tretinoin could lead to further skin irritation or damage.
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.
This means starting on the lowest dose of Tretinoin that your doctor can offer (in our case that is 0.025 Tretinoin cream) and using once or twice a week initially. The trick is to then slowly increase the frequency as your skin builds tolerance until you can use it mostly every night without any problems.
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.
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.
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.
A tretinoin purge is a phenomenon that affects some people when they start using a retinoid skin product like tretinoin. For some users, acne will flare up within the first few weeks of using tretinoin before it starts to reduce acne. Tretinoin purge is also referred to as “acne flaring.”
Yes you can apply tretinoin on your face, neck, chest and hands if you want to combat signs of anti-aging in those areas. However, you should only apply a very thin layer of the product to clean, dry skin to avoid irritation. If your neck becomes more sensitive, skip the application for one or two days.