Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesBefore TakingDosageSide EffectsWarnings & InteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Before Taking
Dosage
Side Effects
Warnings & Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
Retin-A (tretinoin)is a prescription drug that is applied topically, or to the skin, to treat acne.It can be effective in treatinginflammatory acne, which can cause swelling and pimples deep under the skin. It also works especially well oncomedonal acne, which is the type that involvesblackheadsor whiteheads.
In addition to brand name Retin-A products, there are low-cost generics sold under the name tretinoin topical.
This article reviews uses for tretinoin, things to consider before using it, potential side effects, recommended dosages, and more.
1:35Click Play to Learn About Retin-A Results
1:35
Click Play to Learn About Retin-A Results
Retin-A is usually prescribed whenover-the-counter medicationsand optimal skincare fail.
Cell turnoveris improved as a result. That means that older cells are replaced with new ones, which are being produced at an increased rate. When that occurs, old cells push to the surface instead of building up and clogging pores.
All of this prevents the formation ofcomedones, the origins of all pimples.
Retin-A also has anexfoliating effect. This gives the skin a more even texture and makes enlarged pores look smaller.
With that said, the effects of Retin-A are usually not enough to reduce depressed, pitted, or raisedacne scars. These may require specialist scar treatment procedures.
Recap
Off-Label Uses
Lab studies involving human skin samples suggest that it increases cell turnover. Studies found it also activates a cell type responsible for secreting collagen, a protein that gives skin itselasticity.
Because it can irritate the skin, Retin-A is typically used to treat conditions like hyperpigmentation or photoaging rather than for cosmetic purposes. It is also often used in combination withhydroquinoneand topical corticosteroids.
As such, Retin-A may not be the best option if you’re simply looking for an anti-aging cream.
Retin-A should be used under medical supervision as part of a comprehensive acne treatment plan. That should include using an effective sunscreen (minimum SPF 15), wearing sun-protective clothing, and avoiding excessive sunlight exposure.
If you use another over-the-counter or prescription acne remedy, let your healthcare provider know before starting treatment. More is not necessarily better when it comes to treating acne. In some cases, you may need to take a break from your current acne medications before starting Retin-A.
You should also walk your healthcare provider through your daily skincare routine. Because Retin-A can cause skin irritation, your healthcare provider or dermatologist (doctor who specializes in skin health) may recommend using a different cleanser, astringent, or exfoliant.
Precautions and Contraindications
You will need to avoid Retin-A if you have a known hypersensitivity to tretinoin or any other ingredient in the product.
Retin-A should also be avoided in people witheczema (atopic dermatitis)or sunburned skin, as it can cause severe irritation.
Retin-A should not be prescribed to children under 12. In this age group, safety has not been established and the drug may be too harsh.
Although there’s no clear evidence that topical tretinoin causes birth defects, oraltretinoin has been linked to this risk. It is not known whether the drug is excreted in breast milk.
Pregnant women should only use Retin-A if the benefits outweigh the possible risks. An in-depth conversation with a healthcare provider is needed to make an informed choice.
RecapRetin-A should be used with caution in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It should not be used in kids under 12. You may need to adjust your current skincare regimen to avoid irritation while using Retin-A.
Retin-A should be used with caution in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It should not be used in kids under 12. You may need to adjust your current skincare regimen to avoid irritation while using Retin-A.
Other Related Drugs
There are other tretinoin-based topical drugs used to treat acne. The choice of drug may be based on the severity of your acne and the condition of your skin.
How Severe Acne Is Treated
Retin-A is applied to the skin daily and delivers the best results when used consistently. The drug is available in three forms:
It generally takes two to three weeks before you begin to see the benefits of Retin-A treatment. In some cases, it can take six weeks or more.
How to Use and Store
Retin-A is used once daily before bedtime. Apply enough to cover the affected area lightly. Putting on a thick layer will not improve results and may only increase skin irritation.
Avoid applying Retin-A around the corners of the eyes, nose, or mouth. You should not apply it to open wounds, as this can cause pain and inflammation.
Protect your skin from the sun, wind, and cold. Your skin will be more sensitive to the elements for several months after starting tretinoin. Daily sunscreen is advised.
Retin-A cream, gel, and liquid can be stored safely at temperatures under 80 degrees F. You do not have to keep the medication in the refrigerator, but can if there is a risk of excessive heat exposure.(Refrigerated Retin-A can also be soothing to the skin.)
Retin-A gel is flammable. Keep the gel well away from open flames, and do not expose it to temperatures over 120 degrees F.
Keep the tube tightly sealed and out of the reach of children. Discard any expired drugs.
RecapUse only a thin layer of Retin-A to avoid irritation, and be sure to wear a sunscreen daily. Results may take anywhere from two to six weeks (or more).
Use only a thin layer of Retin-A to avoid irritation, and be sure to wear a sunscreen daily. Results may take anywhere from two to six weeks (or more).
As with all drugs, Retin-A may cause side effects. Some of the initial side effects may resolve as your body adapts to treatment. Others may be severe and require you to stop the medication temporarily or permanently.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Common
Common side effects of Retin-A include:
Retin-A is prescribed at the lowest effective dose to avoid these concerns.
Worse Before It Gets BetterWhen first starting treatment, it may seem as if your acne is getting worse. This is not uncommon and is due to the effects of the drug on pimples developing deep beneath the skin’s surface. Do not stop treatment. These symptoms will eventually improve.
Worse Before It Gets Better
When first starting treatment, it may seem as if your acne is getting worse. This is not uncommon and is due to the effects of the drug on pimples developing deep beneath the skin’s surface. Do not stop treatment. These symptoms will eventually improve.
Severe
Severe side effects of Retin-A include:
Treatment should be temporarily stopped if these side effects develop. Once the skin has healed, a lower dose should be prescribed. If the severe side effects return, other treatment options should be considered.
On rare occasions, allergic contact dermatitis has been known to occur after applying Retin-A.Severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, can sometimes occur with oral tretinoin drugs, but they rarely do with topical drugs like Retin-A.
Warnings and Interactions
Retin-A can interact with certain medications, cosmetics, and skincare products. Chief among these are topical products that contain alcohol, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid. Using Retin-A with any such products can increase skin dryness.
If products like these are being used, it is usually best to stop them and let the skin rest before starting Retin-A.
Tretinoin was once available as an oral drug called Vesonoid used for the treatment ofacute promyelocytic leukemia(APL). The drug has since been discontinued due to safety and efficacy concerns.
Summary
Retin-A (tretinoin) is a prescription cream used to treat acne. It is an option your healthcare provider or dermatologist may recommend when over-the-counter medications and proper skincare fail to provide relief.
Applied once nightly before bedtime, Retin-A will generally improve acne symptoms within several weeks. However, there may be skin drying, flaking, and the temporary darkening or lightening of the skin. Breakouts may also temporarily worsen before the skin starts to clear.
Retin-A should only be used in adults and children over 12.
It might take two or three weeks of using Retin-A (treitinoin) to see any benefits. However, in some cases, it may take six weeks or more.
No, Retin-A is not effective in reducing acne scars. At most, it might make superficial scars become less obvious.
No. Retinol, found in many over-the-counter creams and serums, is vitamin A in topical form. Retin-A is a synthetic derivative of vitamin A that is stronger and requires a prescription. While gentler on the skin, retinol has only mild anti-acne effects.It is not as effective in reducing wrinkles as tretinoin and other retinoic acids.
Is Retin-A (Tretinoin) Safe to Use During Pregnancy?
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ortho Dermatological.Package insert - Retin-A (tretinoin).Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J.Why topical retinoids are mainstay of therapy for acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2Chandrashekar BS, Ashwini KR, Vasanth V, Navale S.Retinoic acid and glycolic acid combination in the treatment of acne scars.Indian Dermatol Online J.2015 Mar-Apr;6(2):84–8. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.153007Davis EC, Callender VD.Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a review of the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2010;3(7):20-31.Shao Y, He T, Fisher GJ, Voorhees JJ, Quan T.Molecular basis of retinol anti-aging properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo.Int J Cosmet Sci.2017 Feb;39(1):56–65. doi:10.1111/ics.12348Kong R, Cui Y Fisher GJ, et al.A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin.J Cosmet Dermatol.2016 Mar;15(1):49-57. doi:10.1111/jocd.12193Ascenso A, Ribeiro H, Marques HC, Oliveira H, Santos C, Simoes S.Is tretinoin still a key agent for photoaging management?Mini Rev Med Chem. 2014;14(8):629-41. doi:10.2174/1389557514666140820102735Valeant Pharmaceuticals.Package insert - Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) gel microsphere.MedlinePlus.Tretinoin topical.Ortho Dermatological.Package insert - Renova (tretinoin cream) 0.02%.Roche Pharmaceutical.Package insert - Accutane (isotretinoin capsules).IBM Watson Health for Mayo Clinic.Tretinoin (Topical Route).LoVerde D, Iweala OI, Eginli A, Krishnaswamy G.Anaphylaxis.Chest.2018 Feb;153(2):528–43. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2017.07.033Food and Drug Administration.Drugs@FDA: FDA-approved drugs: Vesanoid.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ortho Dermatological.Package insert - Retin-A (tretinoin).Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J.Why topical retinoids are mainstay of therapy for acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2Chandrashekar BS, Ashwini KR, Vasanth V, Navale S.Retinoic acid and glycolic acid combination in the treatment of acne scars.Indian Dermatol Online J.2015 Mar-Apr;6(2):84–8. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.153007Davis EC, Callender VD.Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a review of the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2010;3(7):20-31.Shao Y, He T, Fisher GJ, Voorhees JJ, Quan T.Molecular basis of retinol anti-aging properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo.Int J Cosmet Sci.2017 Feb;39(1):56–65. doi:10.1111/ics.12348Kong R, Cui Y Fisher GJ, et al.A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin.J Cosmet Dermatol.2016 Mar;15(1):49-57. doi:10.1111/jocd.12193Ascenso A, Ribeiro H, Marques HC, Oliveira H, Santos C, Simoes S.Is tretinoin still a key agent for photoaging management?Mini Rev Med Chem. 2014;14(8):629-41. doi:10.2174/1389557514666140820102735Valeant Pharmaceuticals.Package insert - Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) gel microsphere.MedlinePlus.Tretinoin topical.Ortho Dermatological.Package insert - Renova (tretinoin cream) 0.02%.Roche Pharmaceutical.Package insert - Accutane (isotretinoin capsules).IBM Watson Health for Mayo Clinic.Tretinoin (Topical Route).LoVerde D, Iweala OI, Eginli A, Krishnaswamy G.Anaphylaxis.Chest.2018 Feb;153(2):528–43. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2017.07.033Food and Drug Administration.Drugs@FDA: FDA-approved drugs: Vesanoid.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ortho Dermatological.Package insert - Retin-A (tretinoin).Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J.Why topical retinoids are mainstay of therapy for acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2Chandrashekar BS, Ashwini KR, Vasanth V, Navale S.Retinoic acid and glycolic acid combination in the treatment of acne scars.Indian Dermatol Online J.2015 Mar-Apr;6(2):84–8. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.153007Davis EC, Callender VD.Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a review of the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2010;3(7):20-31.Shao Y, He T, Fisher GJ, Voorhees JJ, Quan T.Molecular basis of retinol anti-aging properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo.Int J Cosmet Sci.2017 Feb;39(1):56–65. doi:10.1111/ics.12348Kong R, Cui Y Fisher GJ, et al.A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin.J Cosmet Dermatol.2016 Mar;15(1):49-57. doi:10.1111/jocd.12193Ascenso A, Ribeiro H, Marques HC, Oliveira H, Santos C, Simoes S.Is tretinoin still a key agent for photoaging management?Mini Rev Med Chem. 2014;14(8):629-41. doi:10.2174/1389557514666140820102735Valeant Pharmaceuticals.Package insert - Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) gel microsphere.MedlinePlus.Tretinoin topical.Ortho Dermatological.Package insert - Renova (tretinoin cream) 0.02%.Roche Pharmaceutical.Package insert - Accutane (isotretinoin capsules).IBM Watson Health for Mayo Clinic.Tretinoin (Topical Route).LoVerde D, Iweala OI, Eginli A, Krishnaswamy G.Anaphylaxis.Chest.2018 Feb;153(2):528–43. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2017.07.033Food and Drug Administration.Drugs@FDA: FDA-approved drugs: Vesanoid.
Ortho Dermatological.Package insert - Retin-A (tretinoin).
Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J.Why topical retinoids are mainstay of therapy for acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2
Chandrashekar BS, Ashwini KR, Vasanth V, Navale S.Retinoic acid and glycolic acid combination in the treatment of acne scars.Indian Dermatol Online J.2015 Mar-Apr;6(2):84–8. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.153007
Davis EC, Callender VD.Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a review of the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2010;3(7):20-31.
Shao Y, He T, Fisher GJ, Voorhees JJ, Quan T.Molecular basis of retinol anti-aging properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo.Int J Cosmet Sci.2017 Feb;39(1):56–65. doi:10.1111/ics.12348
Kong R, Cui Y Fisher GJ, et al.A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin.J Cosmet Dermatol.2016 Mar;15(1):49-57. doi:10.1111/jocd.12193
Ascenso A, Ribeiro H, Marques HC, Oliveira H, Santos C, Simoes S.Is tretinoin still a key agent for photoaging management?Mini Rev Med Chem. 2014;14(8):629-41. doi:10.2174/1389557514666140820102735
Valeant Pharmaceuticals.Package insert - Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) gel microsphere.
MedlinePlus.Tretinoin topical.
Ortho Dermatological.Package insert - Renova (tretinoin cream) 0.02%.
Roche Pharmaceutical.Package insert - Accutane (isotretinoin capsules).
IBM Watson Health for Mayo Clinic.Tretinoin (Topical Route).
LoVerde D, Iweala OI, Eginli A, Krishnaswamy G.Anaphylaxis.Chest.2018 Feb;153(2):528–43. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2017.07.033
Food and Drug Administration.Drugs@FDA: FDA-approved drugs: Vesanoid.
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