If you’re thinking about incorporating this tretinoin cream price in your skincare routine, you’ll must ensure you use it properly to prevent any unwelcome side effects. Plus, you’ll should be extra careful when out within the sun. Read on to learn why.
What is tretinoin?
Tretinoin (also called prescription retinoids or prescription vitamin A) is often a highly potent, medical-grade topical vitamin A cream or gel. It contains retinoic acid, which is regarded as the biologically available active form of vitamin A, and will come in different formula strengths.
Unlike retinol and other over-the-counter versions of vitamin A, tretinoin is a prescription-only topical treatment. This means you is only able to purchase it if you have a script from your doctor or dermatologist who has properly assessed the skin and deemed its use appropriate.
Tretinoin vs. Retinol: exactly what is the difference?
Tretinoin and retinol are generally classified as retinoids — but there are many key differences between them:
Tretinoin
Synthetic type of vitamin A
Only available which has a prescription (classed as a medical-grade skincare product)
Highly potent
Retinol
Natural type of vitamin A
Available over-the-counter and located in many skincare products
Milder formulation
What is tretinoin used by?
It may seem like tretinoin just has been on the skincare radar recently, nevertheless it’s actually a popular topical treatment for acne that’s been used by almost 50 years. It has been found in lowering inflammation associated with acne, clear existing acne minimizing the severity of outbreaks.
But treating acne isn’t tretinoin’s only benefit. A 2012 study indicates it may also be helpful for:
Improving skin and texture
Reducing the appearance of face lines and wrinkles
Reducing the appearance of liver spots on your skin layer
Improving premature aging of skin due to sun damage (photoaging)
Other research on the use of retinoids in the treatment of skin aging found that “amongst the retinoids, tretinoin possibly is the most potent and certainly the most widely investigated retinoid for photoaging therapy.”
How does tretinoin work?
Tretinoin works by speeding up the cellular turnover in the skin, making skin cells divide and die faster so that new, healthier cells can replace them. However, as a way to stimulate this procedure, tretinoin must ultimately irritate your skin layer. This is why people often experience uncomfortable unwanted effects when first applying this product.
Most people start noticing a difference within their skin after 2 to 3 weeks utilizing the product, nevertheless it can take 6 or even more weeks for the full benefit to wear.
Can tretinoin fade skin spots or sunspots?
Some research suggests tretinoin can fade the appearance of brown spots on your skin. However, everyone’s skin is different and a topical treatment alone may not be essentially the most effective method to fade sun spots on your face or body. This is why it’s important to consult which has a dermatologist before starting any sun spot removal treatment to get personalised advice on the best approach to your skin.
Likewise, it’s important to possess a thorough skin check by the melanographer or dermatologist to confirm if the spots you want to fade truly are sunspots and not something more sinister. It can be difficult to identify the difference between a harmless sunspot plus a potential skin cancer or melanoma so be sure to have the skin spots professionally checked before using tretinoin or other prescription retinoids.
What are the unwanted side effects of tretinoin?
Prescription retinoids like tretinoin are extremely powerful. This means you must make use of them properly within the guidance of the dermatologist or doctor — or you might risk some unpleasant reactions like burning skin or a damaged skin barrier.
Due to its potency, tretinoin may cause some skin irritation when you begin using it as your skin needs time for you to adjust on the active ingredients. Some other common side effects of tretinoin include mild to moderate:
Skin redness or inflammation
Dryness
Peeling or flaking
Itching
However, most people notice a reduction in these negative effects after a few weeks of employing the product.
Tretinoin photosensitivity: Why you'll want to be extra careful in the sun when utilizing this product
Another complication associated with the using tretinoin is photosensitisation. This means commemorate you more sensitive to the sun’s harmful UV rays and you could burn easily when subjected to sunlight.
From a skin cancer prevention perspective, this might be problematic. One of the key risk factors for skin cancer can be a history of sunburn so it’s obvious why photosensitivity from tretinoin is concerning. While there is currently no evidence to suggest tretinoin use increases your probability of skin cancer, it’s crucial that you just take extra precautions with sun protection when you use this product.
How to protect your epidermis from the sun when you use tretinoin:
Avoid excessive sun exposure — do not use this product in case you work outdoors or spend time and effort out inside sun
Wear SPF 50+ sunscreen every day — even in case you’re only staying indoors as indirect sunlight through windows can certainly still damage or burn your skin layer
Wear sun protective clothing when outdoors
Make regular skin checks part of your skin layercare routine
At MoleMap, we agree that looking after your skin can be a top priority. But when it comes to the skin health, we encourage you to think beyond skincare products and start making regular skin cancer checks part of your epidermis wellness routine too.
By having a professional skin check or mole check every 6 to yr, you’ll give yourself the most effective chance to catch any suspicious spots or lesions early. Plus, you’ll also enjoy peace of mind that you’re keeping your epidermis safe — inside and out. Consider scheduling these regular checks at MoleMap Australia Skin Cancer Clinics for expert care and thorough examination.