Tretinoin Cream For Acne, Melasma & Fine Lines & Wrinkles

Tretinoin is a gold standard topical treatment that can treat skin conditions like acne, melasma & fine lines/wrinkles. It also helps limit discolouration from sun damage.

Apply a pea-sized amount to clean skin before bed. It may sting at first, especially when you start out but this should subside.

Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that can cause small bumps, whiteheads, and blackheads. These come about when hair follicles become clogged with a mixture of sebum (oil) and dead skin cells. This can lead to inflammation and, if left untreated, may result in papules, pustules and cystic acne.

Tretinoin works as an effective acne treatment by encouraging the growth of new, healthy skin cells. It also speeds up the process by which your body sheds old, dead skin cells. It can also reduce the amount of oil produced by your sebaceous glands, which can help prevent pimple breakouts.

When applying tretinoin, always start with the lowest strength your doctor recommends and only apply it to clean, dry skin. A pea-sized amount is sufficient for the entire face, & remember that a little goes a long way. Be patient: it can take a few weeks or even months before you see significant results.

Melasma

For moderate to severe facial melasma, tretinoin is an effective treatment. It reduces the appearance of dark spots by increasing epidermal turnover and promoting shedding of dead skin cells. It can also help unclog pores and prevent clogging that can lead to acne. In a randomized, vehicle-controlled study, Tretinoin was more effective than hydroquinone or vehicle cream in reducing the appearance of melasma on the face. Tretinoin is included in the formula of a combination product called Tri-Luma Cream (hydroquinone [HQ], 4% + tretinoin [RA], 0.05%, and fluocinolone acetonide [FA], 0.01%) that has been shown to be effective in treating melasma.

Melasma typically appears as light to dark brown patches that are irregular in shape and size on the skin’s surface, most commonly the forehead, nose, chin and cheeks. It is usually caused by sun exposure, but can be triggered by other factors such as pregnancy, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy and some medications. It is more common in women than men and may last for years.

Fine lines and wrinkles

Tretinoin has long been prescribed by dermatologists to enhance results from in-office procedures, & as part of a comprehensive anti-aging regimen. Specifically, it can reduce fine lines & wrinkles caused by intrinsic (natural) aging, as well as extrinsic (environmental) aging, such as sun damage.

In addition, retinoids stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, which improves skin color & softens rough areas. It can also help fade age spots, & can be combined with alpha hydroxy acids for additional skin-smoothing effects.

To maximize the benefits of Tretinoin, it should be used nightly on clean skin. Avoid using any other skin products that may irritate the area, including benzoyl peroxide, astringents, alcohol-based facial cleansers, dandruff shampoos containing sulfur or salicylic acid, or any other medicated skin preparations. Ensure that the skin is completely dry before applying a pea-sized amount of the cream to your face. You should also be sure to use adequate sunscreen while using tretinoin, as it can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Sun damage

Taking steps to protect your skin from the sun is key to reducing damage and signs of aging. You should always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ and reapply often, especially during the hours when the sun’s rays are strongest (10 am to 2 pm). Sun damage can also cause dark spots, such as melasma, which occurs when hormone levels and sunlight trigger excessive melanin production. Topical retinols like tretinoin can help fade melasma marks and even out skin tone.

A prescription-strength tretinoin cream can improve wrinkles, dark spots and rough skin caused by the sun. It works by speeding up the body’s natural production of new skin cells and helping damaged ones repair themselves. This can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and fade brown spots. To get the most benefit from tretinoin, it’s important to moisturize daily, especially with a gentle moisturizer that won’t irritate your skin. Try products that contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and other ingredients that are compatible with tretinoin. Tretinoin 0.1% cream