What is the purge phase of tretinoin?

Author: Emil Goldner Sr.  |  Last update: Sunday, March 23, 2025

“During the skin purge, your skin speeds up the cell turnover faster than it's used to so the substances clogging your pores get pushed to the surface of your skin faster, so you may experience slight inflammation, contributing to additional breakouts,” says Dr. Fernandez.

How long does tretinoin purge last?

How long does a tretinoin purge last? Results will vary from person to person. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends waiting four to six weeks for any new skin care treatment to start clearing up skin. If you are experiencing purge symptoms after six weeks, talk to your provider.

What does the tretinoin purge look like?

Many tretinoin users experience a “purge” during the first several weeks of treatment. During this period, acne — the very problem tretinoin is supposed to treat — often gets worse, resulting in everything from the occasional whitehead to severe breakouts.

How to avoid purging with tretinoin?

However, its strength means that it can also initially irritate the skin and even cause breakouts, also known as purging, initially. As such you should introduce it slowly and gradually to give your skin time to adapt to its effects. This is especially true for patients with sensitive skin, Rosacea or skin of colour.

Should I pop tretinoin purge pimples?

Do not pick or squeeze the spots, as this can lead to inflammation or scarring. If this is Tretinoin purging or due to beta hydroxy acid (e.g. salicylic acid) or retinoid purging then you don't need to do anything else as these already treat acne breakouts.

Avoid Skin Purging with Retinoids and AHA's | 5 Steps to PREVENT SKIN PURGING

Is tretinoin purge worth it?

While it can be disheartening, it is believed that the “purge” is a sign that the medication is working and that their skin will eventually clear up.

How to stop skin purging immediately?

If the skin purging stage is really troublesome, it can be helpful to decrease the frequency of your actives by alternating days of use. Stick with it - in time, things will likely improve. When the frequency of new spots starts to reduce, increase the frequency of your actives again.

How long to let tretinoin sit before moisturizer?

The 15+ minute wait allows the skin barrier to recover and minimizes irritation. This helps reduce the risk of tretinoin induced retinoid dermatitis, a common issue for many tretinoin users.

What is the sandwich method for tretinoin?

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.

What does retinol purging look like?

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. Getting these symptoms can be demotivating, especially if you're already feeling unconfident about your skin.

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.

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.

How to know if tretinoin is working?

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.

What are the stages of tretinoin?

Although each Tretinoin journey is as unique as the person on it, there are common milestones:
  • Initial Adaptation: The first 2-6 weeks of using Tretinoin generally involve your skin getting used to it. ...
  • Visible Changes: For acne treatment, some users may begin to see improvements in as little as 2-3 weeks. ...
  • Full Benefits:

How long do retinoid uglies last?

The retinol uglies can last anywhere from 4–8 weeks. The exact length of a retinoid purge depends very much on your skin type and sensitivity. The amount and strength of your retinoid product can also play a part. Some people experience a purge flare-up for only a few days, and others don't get it at all.

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.

How much should you rub in tretinoin?

Applying tretinoin to wet skin can irritate it. To use the cream, gel, or lotion form of this medicine: Apply just enough medicine to very lightly cover the affected areas, and rub in gently but well. A pea-sized amount is enough to cover the whole face.

Where is the best place to put tretinoin?

Tretinoin is often used to treat a range of skin concerns around your T-zone, which includes your forehead and chin, two common areas for acne. Tret is very successful in the treatment — and even prevention — of acne, thanks to its powerful cell-regenerating and exfoliating abilities.

What makes tretinoin less effective?

You should NOT: Apply tretinoin to damp skin since this may increase skin irritation. Apply during the daytime, since the sunlight makes the medication less effective.

Is tretinoin 3 times a week enough?

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.

Should you put tretinoin on your neck?

The skin on the neck is thinner and more sensitive, so it may not tolerate tretinoin well, causing irritation. However, if you want to address signs of ageing on your neck, you may benefit from using tretinoin there. To avoid irritation, start with a lower frequency on your neck and build up as your skin tolerates it.

What is the best nighttime moisturizer to use with tretinoin?

The La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Multi-Purpose Balm.

It's a shea butter and glycerin-based balm, so it's super-rich and healing-- great for night routines. Tretinoin users have reviewed this product and named it the “holy grail of moisturizers.” It's helped countless people get through tretinoin irritation.

Does skin look better after purging?

In the long run, skin purging helps us shed dead skin cells more effectively which reduces pore-clogging build-up and breakouts, and it does settle down after a few weeks. But you do have to buckle in and ride out a few weeks of discomfort to see the best results.

Should you pop purging pimples?

When the skin begins to purge and get rid of excess oil and dead skin cells, it's preparing to clear what isn't needed out of the body. While it goes through this process, acne and breakouts improve over time. Avoid touching, picking, or popping pimples.

What does a skin purge look like?

Breakouts often appear more sporadic in your usual problem spots. Purging often results in whiteheads and small raised red bumps on the skin, known as papules. True breakouts are more likely to induce nodules or cysts - larger, swollen, painful pimples that feel like knots under the skin.

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