Discover the benefits, negative effects and sun security precautions you need to take when you use tretinoin prescription retinoid cream.

Tretinoin may be all the rage within the skincare world recently. Touted for its ability to help remedy acne, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, and improve sun damaged skin, there’s no wonder it’s so popular. But is it safe for your skin?

If you’re thinking about incorporating this buy tretinoin into the skincare routine, you’ll must ensure you use it properly to prevent any unwelcome negative effects. Plus, you’ll need to be extra careful when out within the sun. Read on to learn why.



What is tretinoin?
Tretinoin (also called prescription retinoids or prescription vitamin A) is really a highly potent, medical-grade topical vitamin A cream or gel. It contains retinoic acid, which is the most biologically available active kind 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 can only purchase it for those who have a script from a doctor or dermatologist that has properly assessed your skin layer and deemed its use appropriate.

Tretinoin vs. Retinol: exactly what is the difference?
Tretinoin and retinol are classified as retinoids — but there are a few key differences together:

Tretinoin
Synthetic form of vitamin A
Only available with a prescription (classed as a medical-grade skincare product)
Highly potent
Retinol
Natural form of vitamin A
Available over-the-counter and found in many skincare products
Milder formulation

What is tretinoin used for?
It may seem like tretinoin just has been about the skincare radar recently, nevertheless it’s actually a popular topical treatment for acne that’s been employed for almost 50 years. It continues to be 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 skin and texture
Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Reducing the appearance of dark spots on skin
Improving premature aging of skin due to sun damage (photoaging)
Other research about the use of retinoids in the treatment of aging found that ​“amongst the retinoids, tretinoin possibly is easily the most potent and certainly the most widely investigated retinoid for photoaging therapy.”

How does tretinoin work?
Tretinoin functions by speeding inside the cellular turnover within 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 process, tretinoin must ultimately irritate your skin layer. This is why people often experience uncomfortable negative effects when first by using this product.

Most people start noticing a difference in their skin after 2-3 weeks of utilizing the product, nonetheless it can take 6 or even more weeks for your full benefit to wear.

Can tretinoin fade skin spots or sunspots?
Some research suggests tretinoin can fade the appearance of brown spots on your skin layer. However, everyone’s skin is different and a topical treatment alone may not be probably the most effective approach to fade sun spots on the face or body. This is why it’s important to consult which has a dermatologist before starting any sun spot removal treatment so you can get personalised advice for the best approach for your skin.

Likewise, it’s important to have a thorough skin check by the melanographer or dermatologist to confirm whether or not the spots you would like to fade really are sunspots instead of something more sinister. It can be difficult to recognize the difference from your harmless sunspot as well as a potential skin cancer or melanoma so make sure you have your skin layer spots professionally checked before using tretinoin or other prescription retinoids.

What are the negative effects of tretinoin?
Prescription retinoids like tretinoin are extremely powerful. This means you must rely on them properly underneath the guidance of your respective dermatologist or doctor — or you can risk some unpleasant reactions like burning skin or possibly a damaged skin barrier.

Due to its potency, tretinoin could cause some skin irritation when you initially begin using it as your skin layer needs time and energy to adjust for the active ingredients. Some other common unwanted effects of tretinoin include mild to moderate:

Skin redness or inflammation
Dryness
Peeling or flaking
Itching
However, most people notice a reduction in these unwanted effects after a few weeks of employing the product.

Tretinoin photosensitivity: Why you have to be extra careful inside sun when utilizing this product
Another side effect associated with the using tretinoin is photosensitisation. This means it can make you more sensitive to the sun's rays’s harmful UV rays and you may burn easily when encountered with sunlight.

From a skin cancer prevention perspective, this can be problematic. One of the key risk factors for skin cancer is a history of sunburn so it’s clear to understand why photosensitivity from tretinoin is concerning. While there is currently no evidence to suggest tretinoin use increases your chance of skin cancer, it’s crucial that you take extra precautions with sun protection when working with this product.

How to protect your skin from the sun when working with tretinoin:
Avoid excessive sun exposure — do not employ this product in the event you work outdoors or spend considerable time out inside the sun
Wear SPF 50+ sunscreen every day — even should you’re only staying indoors as indirect sunlight through windows could damage or burn the skin
Wear sun protective clothing when outdoors

Make regular skin checks part of your skincare routine
At MoleMap, we agree that looking after your skin is often a top priority. But when it comes to your epidermis health, we encourage one to think beyond skincare products and commence making regular skin cancer checks part of the skin wellness routine too.

By having a professional skin check or mole check every 6 to 12 months, 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 simply’re keeping your skin layer safe — inside and out. Consider scheduling these regular checks at MoleMap Australia Skin Cancer Clinics for expert care and thorough examination.