What Are the Side Effects of Tretinoin Gel?
Tretinoin is a powerful prescription medication that can reduce acne, wrinkles and dark spots from sun damage. It is more potent than over-the-counter retinol and is only available by doctor’s prescription.
However, it can cause dry and irritated skin. So it’s important to use it sparingly, carefully and with moisturizer.
What is Tretinoin Gel?
Tretinoin (also known as retinoic acid) is an acne treatment and also helps fade dark spots. It’s a stronger topical skin treatment than retinol and needs a prescription from your doctor. It works by enhancing and boosting your natural skin regeneration process. It is effective at treating mild to moderate acne and fading fine wrinkles, sun damage and other skin discolorations.
It can also help treat signs of photoaging like wrinkles, leathery skin and hyperpigmentation (dark spots). It does so by unclogging pores and promoting collagen production.
When choosing a tretinoin gel, consider the potency and the type of formulation. It’s best to start with a low potency, especially for those with sensitive skin. Obagi’s micronized 0.05% tretinoin gel is ideal for beginners since it’s time released and less harsh on the skin. For those with resilient skin, a higher potency of 0.05% or 0.1% may work better. It’s a good idea to avoid direct sunlight while using tretinoin.
How to Use Tretinoin Gel
Tretinoin is an acne treatment that also helps reduce fine lines and dark spots. It works by triggering cell regeneration, sloughing away dead skin cells, and unclogging pores. While it takes some time to notice the effects, many patients report that tretinoin is the best anti-aging ingredient available.
It’s important to use tretinoin as instructed by your dermatologist to avoid unwanted side effects. It’s generally best to start with applying tretinoin once or twice a week and slowly increase the frequency. It’s best to apply tretinoin before bed so it can fully absorb into the skin during the night.
It’s important to keep in mind that tretinoin can make your skin extra sensitive. Be sure to use gentle products that won’t irritate your skin and keep it moisturized. You should also wear broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day, even when it’s cloudy or overcast. This will help protect your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause premature aging.
Side Effects of Tretinoin Gel
In some cases, tretinoin gel can irritate the skin. You should avoid putting this medication on broken or sunburned skin, or on any other area that is damaged. This medication can also cause your skin to sting when you first start using it. If this happens, talk to your doctor about how to reduce or prevent irritation.
Although tretinoin can’t erase deep wrinkles, it can help improve the appearance of fine lines and discoloration. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as chemical peels. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions for use and to continue to use the medication even if you don’t see immediate results. It may take several weeks before you notice a difference in the look and feel of your skin. Make sure to wear sunscreen when you’re out in the sun and avoid using other skincare products that may irritate your skin, such as exfoliants or harsh scrubs.
Warnings of Tretinoin Gel
Tretinoin can cause dry skin and itching, especially in the first 3 to 6 weeks of use. Using a mild soap to wash your face and moisturizing daily can help reduce these side effects. Your doctor may also recommend a special moisturizer for you.
Both tretinoin gel and cream can cause sun sensitivity, so it is important to use a good sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat when you go outside. This will help prevent both the irritation and the possible dark spots that can occur from too much sun exposure.
It is important to use tretinoin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If your doctor tells you to start with the gel, try Obagi’s micronized tretinoin gel 0.05% since it has a lower potency and can be tolerated by most acne patients with sensitive skin. If you can’t tolerate the gel, a cream tretinoin (Retin-A) might be better for your skin type. In animal studies with another tretinoin cream, a few skin and liver tumors were found at doses that were 100 to 200 times the recommended topical clinical dose for humans. tretinoin gel