How Does Tretinoin Gel Work?

Tretinoin works by increasing cellular turnover and chemically exfoliating the skin, unclogging pores, and fading discoloration. It also helps control acne by preventing bacteria from colonizing and worsening breakouts.

Apply a pea-sized amount of medication to clean, dry skin. Using your fingertips, a gauze pad, or cotton swab, spread evenly over face.

Acne Treatment

Tretinoin works as an acne treatment by decreasing the number and severity of pimples. It also helps diminish acne scars by triggering collagen formation in the skin.

It unclogs pores by removing the build-up of dead skin cells that contribute to pimples. It also prevents new pimples by blocking the overproduction of sebum, a major cause of breakouts. It also treats active pimples by reducing inflammation and shrinking the size of cystic acne lesions.

Unlike over-the-counter retinol, which is weaker and requires a conversion step to reach the skin’s surface, prescription tretinoin penetrates the skin directly and starts working immediately. It increases cellular turnover, promotes the growth of new skin cells, and boosts collagen production for smoother, younger-looking skin.

It can also be used to reduce hyperpigmentation from sun damage or other factors by decreasing the number of melanin (skin pigment)-producing cells in the skin. It is a powerful drug, so it’s important to use it under the care of a dermatologist.

Fine Lines & Wrinkles

In addition to treating acne, tretinoin is well known for its anti-aging effects. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles, smoothes skin tone and helps reduce dark spots (hyperpigmentation).

Wrinkles are caused by repeated muscle contractions of facial muscles, the natural passage of time and other factors that lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Tretinoin improves these signs of aging by stimulating the skin to produce more collagen and increase cell turnover, which results in younger-looking, smoother skin.

There are many products that claim to treat wrinkles, but very few have been tested and proven to work as well as tretinoin. This medication is only available by prescription from a doctor, and it takes several months of use to see results. A recent long-term clinical study compared the effectiveness of cosmetic anti-wrinkle products that contain niacinamide, peptides and palmitoyl pyropeptides to a prescription regimen of 0*02% tretinoin in improving the appearance of fine facial lines and wrinkles and skin texture.

Sun Damage

Over time, the sun invisibly damages your skin by damaging microscopic cells. These cells include fibroblast skin cells (which produce collagen & elastic tissue) & basal & squamous cells that give the skin its pigment. Topical retinoids have been shown to help reverse this damage, and are a great anti-aging treatment for sun damaged skin.

Tretinoin can also improve fine wrinkles & dark spots. Dark spots are caused by a buildup of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin color. Topical retinoids, such as Differin, can lighten dark spots over the course of months.

During the first few weeks of tretinoin use, your skin may become dry & flaky as it sheds its old layers and replaces them with new ones. To prevent this, gently wash your face 2-3 times a day with mild soap and pat it dry with a soft towel. Also, moisturize with a cream that contains sunscreen. This will protect your skin from the sun, while you are allowing your tretinoin to heal.

Skin Sensitivity

Tretinoin Gel can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, especially during the first 6 months of use. You should wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a hat and avoid tanning during this time to prevent sun damage, dark spots, and premature aging.

You should also avoid using other products that can make your skin too dry while you’re using tretinoin, such as abrasive cleansers, astringents, rubbing alcohol, or hair removal products. Extreme temperatures can also make your skin more sensitive, so you should use a hat and sweater when going outside.

You should also talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins or herbal supplements. These can affect how well tretinoin works. Also, check the RxList Drug Interaction Checker to see if any of your other medications interact with tretinoin. You should also tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tretinoin is not safe to take during pregnancy and it can pass into breast milk. Tretinoin 0.1% Gel