Tretinoin Cream is an acne medication. Typically, this is used both for a short-term and long-term treatment option for clearing up active breakouts. This is used for hard-to-clear- acne blemishes that are on your skin. This acne medication is effective for many, but its effectiveness is not for everyone.
Acne is a chronic and inflammatory condition that happens when your hair follicles become plugged with dead skin cells and oil. It frequently causes blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples. Usually, it appears on the forehead, face, shoulders, and upper back. Though it affects people of all ages, acne is most common among teenagers. It occurs during puberty when the sebaceous glands activate. Acne is not risky but it can leave skin blemishes. The glands are stimulated by male hormones made by the adrenal glands in both females and males. The common age that acne occurs is between 12 and 24 years. The treatment for this condition depends on how severe it is.
Tretinoin is a retinoid which means it’s a form of vitamin A. retinoids stimulate cell turnover on your skin. Dead skin cells are cleared off your skin more quickly as new cells rise to the surface. Quicker cell turnover opens your pores and releasing trapped bacteria that are causing your acne. Retinoids like Tretinoin also help your skin regulate its natural oil production. Wherein, it can prevent future breakouts. It also has an anti-inflammatory property that clears up active pustules.
Tretinoin Cream may as well be used for:
- Wrinkles
This has an impact on the visible signs of aging, according to an extensive study. The cream has demonstrated its short-term and long-term effects on the appearances of wrinkles. That’s why Tretinoin is a popular ingredient in many over-the-counter faces and eye creams.
- Acne scars
Tretinoin lessens the appearance of acne scarring. Since Tretinoin speeds up cell turnover on your skin, it can encourage new cell development at the site of scarring.
How does Tretinoin Cream work?
This product contains an active ingredient of Tretinoin which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Tretinoin is in the class of drugs called retinoids that loosens the cells on the surface of the skin. So that the skin’s natural oil making glands can function normally, it helps to clean out pores. Furthermore, this medication increases the turnover of the skin cells which helps the natural exfoliation of the outer layers of the skin. This also helps decrease the formation of blackheads and spots.
Your acne might look not as good as during the first few weeks’ treatments with this product. It is because the cream is at work on pimples developing inside the skin. It may take up until 8 to 12 weeks to notice the results from this medication.
Steps on how to use Tretinoin Cream:
- Clean your skin first with warm water and pat dry before using the cream.
- Wash your hands before applying the cream to your face.
- Wait a few minutes to make sure your skin is completely dry before you use the medication.
- Apply once a day usually before bed. So that it can absorb completely into your skin while you sleep.
- Onto your fingertips, squeeze about half an inch or less of the cream.
- Gently apply to the specific areas on your skin where you need it to work.
- The cream should fade into your skin right away. It does not try using a little less the next day.
- Take note that using a larger amount of Tretinoin or using it more often won’t make it work faster. It may cause skin irritation.
The prescribed dosage or amount of cream to be applied is based on your condition. Do not use it on other skin treatment without the consent of your doctor. Tretinoin is for topical use only. Be careful not to get it on your eyes, nose, mouth, or mucous membranes. While using this medication, minimize or avoid exposure to:
- Wind and extreme cold
- Sunlight or sunlamps
- Cosmetics that tend to dry the skin
- Harsh soap and hair products
Possible side effects of Tretinoin Cream:
- Sore throat
- Skin burning, pain, redness, itching, or irritation
- Mild warmth or stinging where the medicine was applied
- Changes in the color of treated skin
- Temporary changes in skin pigmentation
- Eye irritation
- Fluid retention causing swelling
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Severe skin dryness
- Severe burning, stinging, or irritation of treated skin
- Severe swelling, redness, peeling, blistering, or crusting
Your skin may be more sensitive to weather extremes while using this prescription. If you develop some signs of an allergic reaction, call your doctor or call for medical help right away.
Things to remember when using Tretinoin Cream:
- This is not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- It’s best not to apply makeup in the hours immediately following this treatment.
- If you accidentally get the cream into your mouth, nostrils, or eyes, carefully wash it off with water.
- You should not apply cosmetics and Tretinoin Cream at the same time. You may use cosmetics or moisturizers after the cream has been absorbed into your skin.
- If exposure to sunlight cannot be avoided, use protective clothing over the areas of skin you have treated with the cream.
- You should not use this product until your skin is fully recovered if your skin is sunburnt. It may potentially cause severe irritation to the skin.
- Use Tretinoin Cream with caution in people with sensitive areas of skin such as the neck.
- This should not be used in people with a history of tumors on the surface of the skin, areas affected by eczema, and those with acne rosacea.
- If you are allergic to the cream or if you already had an allergic reaction to this product, do not use it anymore.
- This is also not recommended in people with inflammatory rash around the mouth or called perioral dermatitis.
- If you have recently used a product that contains resorcinol, sulfur, or salicylic acid, use Tretinoin Cream with caution.
