Popular Treatments
- Proactiv
- Accutane
- Retin-A
- Tea Tree Oil
- Antibiotics or Erythromycin
- Murad Acne Complex
- Clindamycin or Duac
- Tazorac
- Salicylic Acid
- Light Therapy
- Derma Cleanse by Zenmed
- Birth Control Pill
Categories
- Popular Treatments
- Acne Treatments
- Acne Skin Care
- Preventing Acne
- Basic Info
- Causes of Acne
- Age-Specific Acne
How does tretinoin work?
The topical drug tretinoin is sold under a number of brand names, such as Avita and Renova, but it is probably best known under the brand name Retin-A. Tretinoin is available as a lotion or ointment through prescription.
Tretinoin works by unclogging pores and essentially causing the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, to peel. As such, it is also used by some people as an anti-aging treatment and is often prescribed by cosmetic surgeons. The Food and Drug Administration reports that although no one is positive how exactly tretinoin works, it is believed to inhibit abnormal levels of keratinization within hair follicles. The production of keratin is a common cause of clogged pores and the development of pimples.
Because tretinoin causes skin to peel, the initial result may be that your acne appears slightly worse. Your skin may become red or you may notice some scaling or peeling, which are natural effects of the drug. According to the National Institutes of Health, tretinoin usually takes 2-3 weeks to work and the redness and sores will typically go away.
Manufacturers of tretinoin point out that you should thoroughly clean and dry your face before applying the product in a thin layer over the affected area. You should not wash your face with anything that could cause additional irritation, such as an astringent, as the irritation caused by the tretinoin and the cleanser could lead to increased side effects.
The side effects of tretinoin are not surprising given the fact that it causes skin to peel. Users may experience tingling, burning, redness or other types of skin irritation. Because you will experience some peeling of the skin with tretinoin, your skin also may become more susceptible to the effects of the sun. If you have extremely sensitive skin or get sunburns easily, notify your doctor before you begin taking tretinoin.
If you believe you are experiencing severe side effects or if your condition does not improve in 2-3 weeks, you should notify your doctor as well.
Tretinoin works by unclogging pores and essentially causing the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, to peel. As such, it is also used by some people as an anti-aging treatment and is often prescribed by cosmetic surgeons. The Food and Drug Administration reports that although no one is positive how exactly tretinoin works, it is believed to inhibit abnormal levels of keratinization within hair follicles. The production of keratin is a common cause of clogged pores and the development of pimples.
Because tretinoin causes skin to peel, the initial result may be that your acne appears slightly worse. Your skin may become red or you may notice some scaling or peeling, which are natural effects of the drug. According to the National Institutes of Health, tretinoin usually takes 2-3 weeks to work and the redness and sores will typically go away.
Manufacturers of tretinoin point out that you should thoroughly clean and dry your face before applying the product in a thin layer over the affected area. You should not wash your face with anything that could cause additional irritation, such as an astringent, as the irritation caused by the tretinoin and the cleanser could lead to increased side effects.
The side effects of tretinoin are not surprising given the fact that it causes skin to peel. Users may experience tingling, burning, redness or other types of skin irritation. Because you will experience some peeling of the skin with tretinoin, your skin also may become more susceptible to the effects of the sun. If you have extremely sensitive skin or get sunburns easily, notify your doctor before you begin taking tretinoin.
If you believe you are experiencing severe side effects or if your condition does not improve in 2-3 weeks, you should notify your doctor as well.
Search
Subscribe
Site Nav
New Products
New Forum Posts