If you’re thinking about incorporating this buy tretinoin into your skincare routine, you’ll have to be sure you use it properly in order to avoid any unwelcome negative effects. Plus, you’ll need to be extra careful when out inside sun. Read on to understand 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 both classified as retinoids — but there are a few key differences between them:
Tretinoin
Synthetic type of vitamin A
Only available using a prescription (classed as being a medical-grade skincare product)
Highly potent
Retinol
Natural form of vitamin A
Available over-the-counter and located in many skincare products
Milder formulation
What is tretinoin useful for?
It may seem like tretinoin just has been for the skincare radar in recent times, however it’s actually a popular topical treatment for acne that’s been useful for almost fifty years. It has become found to help reduce inflammation associated with acne, clear existing acne and reduce the severity of outbreaks.
But treating acne isn’t tretinoin’s only benefit. A 2012 study indicates that it could also be helpful for:
Improving complexion and texture
Reducing the appearance of wrinkles and wrinkles
Reducing the appearance of brown spots on skin
Improving premature aging of skin as a result of sun damage (photoaging)
Other research about the use of retinoids inside the treatment of aging found that “amongst the retinoids, tretinoin possibly is regarded as the potent and certainly essentially the most widely investigated retinoid for photoaging therapy.”
How does tretinoin work?
Tretinoin functions speeding the cellular turnover inside the skin, making skin cells divide and die faster in order that new, healthier cells can replace them. However, so that you can stimulate this method, tretinoin must ultimately irritate your skin. This is why people often experience uncomfortable negative effects when first using this product.
Most people start observing a difference of their skin after 2-3 weeks of utilizing the product, but it can take 6 or higher weeks for your full benefit to appear.
Can tretinoin fade skin spots or sunspots?
Some research suggests tretinoin can fade the appearance of dark spots on your skin layer. However, everyone’s skin is different plus a topical treatment alone may not be probably the most effective way to fade sun spots on your own face or body. This is why it’s important to consult having a dermatologist before starting any sun spot removal treatment getting personalised advice about the best approach for your skin.
Likewise, it’s important to get a thorough skin check with a melanographer or dermatologist to confirm perhaps the spots you would like to fade are indeed sunspots rather than something more sinister. It can be difficult to spot the difference from the harmless sunspot and a potential skin cancer or melanoma so make sure you have your skin spots professionally checked before using tretinoin or other prescription retinoids.
What are the unwanted effects of tretinoin?
Prescription retinoids like tretinoin are extremely powerful. This means you must use them properly underneath the guidance of your respective dermatologist or doctor — or you can risk some unpleasant reactions like burning skin or even a damaged skin barrier.
Due to its potency, tretinoin can cause some skin irritation when you initially begin using it as your epidermis needs time to adjust towards the active ingredients. Some other common unwanted 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 side effects after a few weeks of employing the product.
Tretinoin photosensitivity: Why you should be extra careful inside sun when using this product
Another side-effect associated with the usage of tretinoin is photosensitisation. This means commemorate you more sensitive to sunshine’s harmful UV rays and you could burn easily when subjected to sunlight.
From a skin cancer prevention perspective, this can 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 likelihood 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 employ 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 could 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.