To maximize your results from tretinoin and reduce your risk of side effects, it’s best to pick a moisturizer that’s 100 percent free of alcohol, benzoyl peroxide, artificial fragrances, salicylic acid or any other peeling agent or ingredient that has irritated your skin in the past. If you notice that your skin is overly dry, itchy, flaky or irritated after using tretinoin, you could try applying an alcohol-free moisturizer to the affected area to help mitigate the dryness. Shop anti aging cream start consultation Moisturizer Can Mitigate Skin Dryness From Tretinoin Even after the initial “purge” period, it’s still important to protect your skin with an SPF of 15 or higher sunscreen and avoid overexposure to limit sun damage. Our guide to the common and uncommon side effects of tretinoin lists several ways to prevent your skin from sun damage while using tretinoin cream.Īfter a few months of tretinoin use, studies show that skin gradually begins to adjust to sunlight and photosensitivity returns to normal. If you need to spend time outside, use sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself. If possible, limit the amount of time you spend in sunlight to just a few minutes per day. Spend a few minutes too long in the sun and there’s a real risk of your skin looking red and sunburned by the end of the day.īecause of this, it’s important to protect your skin from UV exposure while using tretinoin. Your skin can become significantly more sensitive to sunlight while using tretinoin, especially during the beginning of treatment. Tretinoin Can Make Your Skin More Sensitive to Sunlight
Other studies of tretinoin show continual improvement for up to 12 months, meaning if you’re committed to using it regularly, your skin may keep getting better over time.
However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll definitely see a drastic improvement in your skin after using tretinoin for three months. Used for anti-aging, studies of tretinoin also show a three-month period for improvements in fine wrinkles and thickening of the epidermal. In two separate studies which observed tretinoin therapy for acne in 0.1 percent and 0.025 percent dosages, researchers found that by 12 weeks, there was an 80 percent and 35 percent reduction (respectively) in microcomedones - which are clogged hair follicles and the primary sign of acne in humans. Studies of tretinoin show an improvement in acne after three months of regular use. While tretinoin starts working as soon as you apply it to your skin, it can take several months for the medication to produce noticeable results. It Can Take Some Time to See Results From Tretinoin If you want to limit your risk of experiencing side effects from tretinoin, it’s often worth starting with a lower strength, for instance 0.01 percent or 0.025 percent cream.Īs you get used to tretinoin and have time to gauge your skin’s reaction to the medication, you may consider switching to a higher strength tretinoin cream for improved results.Īlternatively, if you notice dryness, itching and other side effects after using 0.05 percent or 0.1 percent cream, switching down to a less concentrated form of tretinoin may reduce skin irritation, flaking and other annoyances.Įither way, the best thing to do is speak to your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing side effects from tretinoin. In clinical studies of 0.01 percent and 0.025 percent concentration of tretinoin, researchers observed no statistically significant difference in efficacy of the two concentrations (both showed “statistically significant overall improvement” in photoaging), there was a positive correlation between dose and side effects experienced (the 0.025 percent group experienced greater side effects than the 0.01 percent group). Topical tretinoin is available in a variety of strengths ranging from. Worried about dealing with the tretinoin purge? One of the easiest ways to reduce your risk of experiencing dryness, skin irritation or purging when using tretinoin is to start with a relatively low dose of the medication. Starting With a Low Dose of Tretinoin Can Help Limit Side Effects
However, for most people, your skin will get better. In short, your skin might look worse for several weeks after you start using tretinoin before it begins to look better. The purge effect of tretinoin occurs as a result of the medication’s impact on your body’s skin cell turnover process, which controls skin exfoliation.īecause tretinoin speeds up your rate of skin cell turnover, it can result in irritated skin in your first few weeks or months of use. It’s completely normal to experience some degree of purging when you begin to use topical tretinoin. Tretinoin is infamous for its “purging” effect - a period lasting anywhere from a few weeks to several months in which your skin can look red, irritated and less aesthetically pleasing than normal. Your Skin Might Look Worse Before it Gets Better