Prescription retin a skin#

If you just use these products sporadically, you’re not going to see real results. But with any topical preparation, it’s a matter of diligence and continuity. You’ll notice some subtle improvement in discoloration after a few months it takes a good 8-12 months to see a significant improvement in fine lines. Because, while Retin-A is addressing the superficial layers of the skin, with time, you get neocollagenesis (new collagen growth), which leads to a reduction in fine lines. It’s also a good way to prevent or reduce very fine lines. Matarasso: It’s great for adult acne, and I use it often with adults who have early onset photodamage - it can mitigate and prevent brown spots and solar lentigines. About 80% of my patients are using some form of it.ĭr. Quite frankly, I’ve never seen anyone who is actually allergic to these products. They assume they can’t use it or they’re allergic to it, when they just didn’t have the information or guidance they needed. I’ll frequently have patients come in who have used retinol or Retin-A before and became irritated as a result. Unfortunately, I think there’s a lot of misinformation about both Retin-A and retinol - and with OTC products in particular. I prefer that my patients use a prescription product eventually, but I think it’s absolutely appropriate for a patient to start with an OTC product, like a retinol, because it’s not as irritating or abrasive. It’s over the counter and readily available it’s a gateway to get started on Retin-A. This is the aldehyde, or non-prescription form, of tretinoin. Over time, in addition to helping with acne, we’ve found that it’s a great way to reduce photodamage. At a basic level, Retin-A provides a slow, controlled exfoliation, taking off the very top layer of the stratum corneum. Retin-A was first used a good 30-35 years ago, primarily for patients with acne. Matarasso: Retin-A, also called retinoic acid or tretinoin, is vitamin A in a cream form. Is an over the counter retinol product enough, or do you need to get a prescription retinoid like Retin-A? To get the straight scoop, we consulted Seth Matarasso, MD, our favorite West coast dermatologist.Īyla: Tell us about the difference between Retin-A and retinol.ĭr. For example.)Īt the same time, there’s a lot of confusion around it. (Fantastic news for those of us who might have tanned a tad too aggressively during spring break in college. Even the more delicate flowers among us can now enjoy its benefits: smoother skin, increased collagen synthesis, less hyperpigmentation, even the reversal of sun-induced damage from days gone by. There are decades of data to attest to their efficacy and safety, and new formulations have rendered retinol, in particular, less irritating. Patients treated with RETIN-A (tretinoin) acne treatment may use cosmetics, but the area to be treated should be cleansed thoroughly before the medication is applied(see PRECAUTIONS).We love retinoids - which include retinol, Retin-A, and other derivatives of Vitamin A - because they comprise the gold standard in performance-focused skincare. Once the acne lesions have responded satisfactorily, it may be possible to maintain the improvement with less frequent applications, or other dosage forms. Therapeutic results should be noticed after 2 to 3 weeks but more than 6 weeks of therapy may be required before definite beneficial effects are seen. This is due to the action of the medication on deep, previously unseen lesions and should not be considered a reason to discontinue therapy.

Prescription retin a skin#

In cases where it has been necessary to temporarily discontinue therapy or to reduce the frequency of application, therapy may be resumed or frequency of application increased when the patients become able to tolerate the treatment.Īlterations of vehicle, drug concentration, or dose frequency should be closely monitored by careful observation of the clinical therapeutic response and skin tolerance.ĭuring the early weeks of therapy, an apparent exacerbation of inflammatory lesions may occur. Gel: Excessive application results in “pilling” of the gel, which minimizes the likelihood of overapplication by the patient.Īpplication may cause a transitory feeling of warmth or slight stinging. RETIN-A Gel or Cream should be applied once a day, before retiring, to the skin where acne lesions appear, using enough to cover the entire affected area lightly.