During the first 6 months of use, avoid overexposing the treated areas to sunlight, wind, or cold weather. 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.
It's banned in most countries as OTC as it can potentially cause hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation due to its cytotocity. Studies also show potential carcinogenesis (high dose oral HQ in mice leads to cancer I think, no clinical evidence).
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.
More tretinoin could be absorbed into the person's bloodstream if tretinoin is used on skin that is broken or irritated, or when it is used more than needed, or when used over a large area of the body.
Treatment with this drug may lead to higher cholesterol and triglycerides. The effect of these changes on heart health is not known. Talk with the doctor.
What can you use instead of tretinoin? Alternatives to tretinoin that are also much gentler on the skin include retinaldehyde, which offers similar benefits with less irritation, and bakuchiol, a plant-based option suitable for sensitive skin.
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.
Do not use this medicine in or around the eyes or lips, or inside of the nose. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If it accidentally gets on these areas, wash with water at once. Before applying tretinoin, wash the skin with a mild soap or cleanser and warm water by using the tips of your fingers.
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.
Avoid other topical retinoids, and skin care products containing retinol, with tretinoin. You may also want to avoid salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and erythromycin gel (Erthygel), as these ingredients and products can cause dryness.
Unlike over-the-counter anti-aging products, tretinoin has anti-aging ingredients that go deep beneath the outer portion of the skin to the epidermis. It boosts the production of new collagen in around six months, resulting in smoother, younger-looking skin.
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.
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.
Tretinoin is available by prescription only and is approved to treat both acne and signs of aging. Tretinoin is stronger than retinol but retinol may be gentler for sensitive skin. All topical retinoids come with the potential side effects of possible dryness, redness, and irritation.
The Benefits
Tretinoin works similarly to other types of retinoids—such as adapalene, retinol, and retinal—but is considered to be a stronger treatment than the rest, and it is the only retinoid form that is proven for the treatment and prevention of both aging skin and acne.
The next most important tip is to use a moisturizer with your application. There are many ways to do this — you can apply your moisturizer before tretinoin; after tretinoin; before AND after tretinoin (the “sandwich method”); or you can mix the tretinoin into your moisturizer.
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.
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.
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.
Tretinoin is prescription-only but adapalene is over the counter. Adapalene 0.1% gel is available over-the-counter (OTC) as a generic and as brand-name Differin. The 0.3% gel, along with the 0.1% lotion, cream, and liquid solution are prescription-only. All tretinoin products are only available with a prescription.
Tretinoin counteracts the destruction of collagen and elastic fibers by inhibiting the regulation of MMPs.
Bakuchiol extract comes from the Babchi plant, known for its purple blossoms and its use in Chinese and Indian medicine. The extract can be found in daily moisturizers, serums and creams. “Bakuchiol is often used as a gentler alternative to retinol.
Another double-blind randomized study comparing tazarotene 0.1% to tretinoin 0.05% over a 24 week period also found tazarotene to be more efficacious than tretinoin for fine and coarse wrinkling, overall photodamage, and mottled hyperpigmentation.
Unless your skin care specialist tells you otherwise, it is especially important to avoid using the following skin products on the same area as tretinoin: benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, *lactic acid, *glycolic acids, *citric acid, high strength ascorbic acid. These acids & actives will increase skin irritation.