Tretinoin: Skin benefits, uses, side effects

Tretinoin is a highly active dermatological drug, used to treat a number of skin problems such as acne, wrinkled skin, sun damaged skin,... Treatment results and reduce the risk of side effects, patients need to strictly follow the instructions of the doctor.

Tretinoin is a cosmetic drug, used to treat acne skin, sun damaged skin or skin with small wrinkles. Tretinoin is usually made in the form of Tretinoin cream or Tretinoin gel for the skin.
Tretinoin works by accelerating the skin's life cycle, causing cells to divide faster. New healthy cells are born, replacing old skin cells. Tretinoin is an ingredient of many cosmetic brands such as: Atralin, Avita, Refissa, Rejuva, Renova, Retin-A, Stieva, Tretin-X,...

Retinoids are a group of compounds derived from vitamin A. Tretinoin and retinol both belong to the retinoid group and are indicated for the treatment of similar skin conditions. The mechanism of action of these two products is similar, which is to promote rapid exfoliation of dead skin cells, stimulate collagen and elastin production, and bring back smoother skin. However, Tretinoin differs from Retinol in a number of ways:
Retinol is a natural form of Vitamin A, mild in action and less irritating for sensitive skin. Retinol is found in many skin care products, you can buy Retinol products at drugstores without a prescription. Tretinoin is a synthetic form of Vitamin A, which is many times more active than retinol. Tretinoin causes skin irritation, especially with sensitive skin. Tretinoin should be prescribed by a dermatologist. If you've used retinol but your skin problems aren't improving, ask your doctor if you should be treated with tretinoin. SEE ALSO: How to treat and care for hidden acne skin?

Tretinoin is indicated in the treatment of skin problems such as:
Tretinoin for acne: Tretinoin for mild to moderate acne has been used for nearly 50 years. In acne products, Tretinoin is often combined with antibacterial ingredients and is highly effective on both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. When used regularly, Tretinoin not only helps clear existing acne, but can also reduce the number and severity of breakouts. Many other studies have shown that Tretinoin can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve the health of sun-damaged skin, reduce the appearance of dark spots, improve texture, and lift skin tone.

To ensure the safety of treatment with Tretinoin gel (or Tretinoin cream), you need to tell your doctor in detail about your skin condition and some other important information including:
Pregnancy: not yet There is enough research to show that tretinoin is safe during pregnancy, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant talk to your doctor for a breakdown of the benefits and risks of using tretinoin. Lactation: Current data do not indicate whether tretinoin passes into breast milk. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the use of the drug during lactation. Sun exposure: tell your doctor if your job requires a lot of sun exposure. Medicines you are taking: tell your doctor all the medicines you are taking, the skin creams you are using. Your doctor will check to see if these drugs interact adversely with Tretinoin. If your doctor prescribes Tretinoin, ask your doctor carefully about how to use it, how long to use it, and the signs that you should stop taking it.
MORE: Hormonal treatment of acne in women

Please remove makeup and wash your face gently, do not wash and rub your skin too hard because it can cause irritation. After you've washed and dried your face, wait 20-30 minutes before applying Tretinoin.
Steps to apply Tretinoin gel are as follows (with cream also do the same):
Apply Tretinoin gel once daily, best before going to bed. Take an appropriate amount of gel, gently apply to the affected skin area. Tretinoin will be absorbed immediately into the skin. If the medicine does not absorb completely, use a smaller amount next time. Using a larger amount of Tretinoin or using it more often will not make it more effective. On the contrary, the drug will cause more skin irritation. Tretinoin is for topical use only on damaged skin, be careful not to get the medicine in your eyes, nose, or mouth. During treatment with Tretinoin, avoid exposure to sunlight and bright lights; wind and cold temperatures; soaps and strong hair care products; cosmetics tend to dry the skin,... Tretinoin will start to work within 2-3 weeks. But it takes more than 6 weeks for the drug to take full effect. Tell your doctor if you have used this medicine for 12 weeks but your skin does not improve or does not improve.

Tretinoin can cause skin irritation when you first start using it. During the first few weeks, mild to moderate redness, dryness, flaking, and itching is normal. These symptoms of irritation should subside as your skin adapts to the medication. Stop using Tretinoin and tell your doctor if skin irritation does not improve within a few weeks. Skin with signs of getting worse such as: swelling, excessive redness, blistering, scabbing, changes in skin pigmentation, ... also need to notify the doctor. Tretinoin is a medication indicated for the treatment of acne. In case the use of the drug is not effective, the patient should stop and go to medical facilities for examination and treatment.
Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for examination, treatment and prevention of diseases, including the Department of Dermatology. When performing the examination process at Vinmec, customers will be welcomed and used modern facilities and equipment along with perfect medical services under the guidance and advice of experts. Good doctors, well-trained both at home and abroad.

Reference source: healthline.com