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Tretinoin is also known as retinoic acid or Vitamin A Acid.
Tretinoin is most commonly used as a topical treatment for acne (acne vulgaris). The medication is available as a gel. There are various dosages available when using tretinoin for acne. You should consult your healthcare practitioner to determine the best one for you.
For more resources, including a full list of the risks and benefits of tretinoin, please review the product monograph.
Although the exact reasons why tretinoin is effective against acne is unknown, it’s believed to accelerate skin growth and turn-over of cells, as well as increase the flow of cellular debris (i.e., dead skin cells and oils) to the surface for elimination. Through this it helps to reduce the acne condition.
What is Tretinoin used to treat?
Tretinoin is indicated for use as a topical treatment for acne (acne vulgaris); typically in Grades I, II, or III, where comedones, pustules, papules are commonly seen.
Tretinoin should be applied daily, preferably before bed.
The medication should be used where acne lesions are present; using enough of the non-oily gel to lightly cover the affected area.
It’s important to note that inflammatory lesions may worsen during the early weeks of use, because of previously unseen comedones and papules.
Patients should start to see changes after 2 - 4 weeks of treatments, but results may take up to 6 - 8 weeks. Once the condition has improved, it can be maintained with less frequent use of tretinoin.
In cases where patients experience severe erythema at the start of treatment, talk to your healthcare practitioner at Felix. They may suggest altering the frequency of application and amount you’re using, and then increase your treatments progressively.
How long does Tretinoin last after you take it?
There are no commonly occurring side effects from using tretinoin cream, but it’s important to note that overuse of tretinoin can cause:
- Erythema (reddening of the skin)
- Peeling skin
- Discomfort
In people with sensitive skin, there are additional side effects to watch for, such as:
- Blistered skin
- Crusted skin
- Temporary skin discolouration (lightening or darkening)
- Swollen or inflamed skin
If you start to experience discomfort or any severe side effects from using tretinoin, stop using the medication and consult with your healthcare practitioner from Felix.
They may suggest reducing your dosage, or an alternative medication that will work better for you.
Apart from being mindful of reactions during usage, there are a few other types of people who shouldn’t use tretinoin, such as:
- People who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Children under the age of 18 (unless recommended by a healthcare practitioner)
- People who are breastfeeding or planning on breastfeeding
- People who cannot avoid extensive exposure to sunlight (i.e., people who work outside)
- People who have a sensitivity to tretinoin or any of its ingredients
When it comes to specific usage, it’s important to know that you shouldn’t use tretinoin:
- On areas where there are other skin conditions (i.e., eczema, dermatitis, etc.), or existing irritation
- On areas with lesions or open wounds
- On areas that have existing sunburns
As well, people who are going to be spending time in the sun may want to be careful using tretinoin, because it can increase your risks of getting a sunburn.
It’s important to note that using tretinoin for acne more than recommended won’t increase the likelihood of achieving better results. In fact, overuse of tretinoin can result in increased skin irritation and worsen the chances of experiencing negative side effects.
Luckily, if you get your online tretinoin prescription from Felix, you can chat with your healthcare practitioner about any side effects you’re experiencing - at any time.
Is Tretinoin a Retinoid?
It’s important to note that ‘retinoid’ is actually a catch-all term that’s used to describe any group of molecules derived from Vitamin A. This includes both retinol, as well as prescription retinoids.
Tretinoin is a form of retinoid that’s indicated for use in the treatment of acne vulgaris (acne).
Further reading
