What is bad about tretinoin?

Author: Prof. Estel Koepp III  |  Last update: Thursday, October 23, 2025

According to the FDA drug labeled guidelines, the most common adverse effects in topically administered tretinoin are the following: pruritus, skin pain, skin/subcutaneous irritation, erythema, and pharyngitis.

What are the dangers of tretinoin?

Tretinoin topical lotion is a type of retinoid medication that treats acne and other skin issues like dark spots and wrinkles. The most common side effect is dryness and skin sensitivity. It can also make you more prone to sunburn.

Is tretinoin damaging my skin?

The skin will be more prone to sunburn, dryness, or irritation, especially during the first 2 or 3 weeks. However, you should not stop using this medicine unless the skin irritation becomes too severe.

Who shouldn't use tretinoin?

Some people shouldn't use topical tretinoin. This includes people who are allergic to tretinoin products and pregnant women. And if you're going to start trying to conceive, you may be advised to stop tretinoin at least one month beforehand.

Is it bad to use tretinoin long term?

You can safely use tretinoin long-term. Research has shown no negative effects even with 2-4 years of usage. The time taken for tretinoin to show effects also depends on the severity of your skin issues as well as the formulation and strength of tretinoin you are using.

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Can tretinoin worsen aging?

Tretinoin can indeed make your skin look younger since it works by increasing cell turnover, boosting collagen production, and reducing the breakdown of collagen. These actions help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, improve tone and skin texture, and promote a more youthful complexion.

Is tretinoin bad for your 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 happens if I stop tretinoin?

Tretinoin may reduce fine wrinkles, spotty discoloration, and rough feeling skin but does not cure them. It may take 3 to 4 months or up to 6 months before you notice improvement. If you stop using tretinoin, the improvement may gradually disappear.

What does tretinoin purge look like?

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.

Why does my skin look so bad on tretinoin?

Tretinoin peeling is a side effect many people experience, especially in the first few weeks of using this medication. Tretinoin (Retin-A) can help reduce acne and brighten skin, but it also speeds up the skin's natural exfoliation process, resulting in dry and flaky skin.

Do I need to wash tretinoin off in the morning?

Do you have to wash tretinoin off in the morning? Yes, it's advisable to cleanse your face in the morning to remove the tretinoin before applying your morning skincare products and sunscreen.

Does tretinoin increase facial hair in females?

Dr Kiran acknowledges some evidence that suggests tretinoin may aid in hair growth: Tretinoin promotes cell turnover, which can help rejuvenate hair follicles. It may enhance the absorption of other hair growth treatments, such as minoxidil.

Can tretinoin mess up your skin?

According to the FDA drug labeled guidelines, the most common adverse effects in topically administered tretinoin are the following: pruritus, skin pain, skin/subcutaneous irritation, erythema, and pharyngitis.

Does tretinoin cause weight gain?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever; weight gain; swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; shortness of breath; labored breathing; wheezing; chest pain; or cough.

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.

What are the tretinoin uglies?

A tretinoin purge, also referred to as “tretinoin uglies” is a common skin reaction that occurs when a patient uses tretinoin (Retin-A or Tretin-X) for the first time.

Does tretinoin peeling ever stop?

Tretinoin skin peeling is usually temporary and only lasts for a few months for most people, meaning patience is normally an effective approach. Use a moisturizer. It's totally okay to use a moisturizer with tretinoin. Apply the moisturizer first before tretinoin if you have skin dryness.

Is it OK to use tretinoin forever?

Dr. Mohta says that tretinoin can be used long term, even your entire life, as tretinoin is commonly used for the treatment of acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Dr. Mohta, also says that it may be necessary to use tretinoin for a few weeks before you can notice changes in your skin.

Can tretinoin cause vitamin A toxicity?

Neurotoxicity of vitamin A and synthetic retinoids resulting from use of oral forms of these medications has been described; symptoms include headache, pseudotumor cerebri, irritability, ataxia, fatigue, depression, and psychosis (5-9).

What moisturizer goes well with tretinoin?

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.

How toxic is tretinoin?

Tretinoin has been thoroughly evaluated for its potential as an embryofetal developmental toxicant. Oral tretinoin produces developmental anomalies in animal models; the minimal teratogenic dose is consistently 2.5 to 10 mg/kg.

Does tretinoin destroy collagen?

Tretinoin counteracts the destruction of collagen and elastic fibers by inhibiting the regulation of MMPs.

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.

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