& Its Biochemical Cousins
Do you have fine lines and wrinkles, brown sports, or rough skin resulting from sun damage?
Tretinoin and its cousins are mainstays and the basic building blocks of treatment for acne, aging skin, and sun damaged skin.
Many patients see results with tretinoin, a derivative of vitamin A, much like retin-A, which is commonly used with oily, acne-prone skin. Tretinoin helps to reduce and evenly distribute the melanin found in the skin, causing brown spots to fade. Oftentimes patients will see a rosy glow to their skin. This is also produced by the tretinoin, which stimulates the formation of new blood vessels.
Stimulating the formation of collagen in the skin, tretinoin facilitates the smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles and helps to increase the firmness of the skin. It also enhances the body’s natural exfoliation process. As a result you will eventually see your skin becoming smoother.
It must be kept in mind that tretinoin is a long-term skin therapy. Results will generally become apparent after four weeks of use. Although results vary, a general guidelines to follow for determining these results is as follows:
One to two months:
The skin may begin to feel softer.
Three to four months:
The skin will begin to take on a rosier glow. Fine lines and wrinkles will have begun to diminish, and freckles and brown sports will have begun to fade.
Six months:
The maximum benefit you will achieve with tretinoin should be apparent. The skin should be smoother, softer, and more evenly toned. If the treatment is stopped, however, regression of the skin will begin to slowly present itself.
The exfoliating process promoted by tretinoin may result in your skin becoming drier than normal. Side effects may include some peeling, flaking and itchiness of the skin, slight burning or prickling sensations may be felt, and very sensitive skin may become temporarily red or blotchy. These symptoms do not happen to everyone and are only an indication that your skin is tolerating the change. It is important to take note that using more tretinoin containing products does not equal faster and better results. Overuse of tretinoin can lead to unnecessary skin irritation.
Tretinoin may cause a rapid breakdown in sunscreens, so it is important to regularly apply a sunscreen or moisturizing sunscreen of SPF15 or more. Unprotected exposure to the sun can cause unnecessary irritation and additional sun damage. Keep in mind that 80 percent of the sun’s damaging rays penetrate through clouds, so don’t forget to apply sunscreen even on those cloudy days. Additionally, extreme cold temperatures should be avoided.
Consult Soderstrom Dermatology Center, S.C. to find our whether the treatment is right for you.
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