Tretinoin: The Game-Changing Skincare Ingredient You Need Now!

Tretinoin: What it is, Why You Need It & How to Use It

Most of us have heard of retinol and know it is a must-have anti-aging & anti-acne skincare product. It can be found over the counter in a variety of topical skincare products.

So what the heck is tretinoin and how does it differ from retinol?

Retinol and tretinoin are both retinoids, which means they are both derived from vitamin A. Basically, tretinoin is a more concentrated version of retinol, it delivers more dramatic results faster and is only available by prescription. Because tretinoin is stronger than retinol, it’s available only by prescription. You can purchase a tube of tretinoin here In Charlotte NC at Prestige Med Spa, and Dr Awa and her team will teach you how to safely use it for the very best results.

Now that I’m done with that bit of scientific hooplah, what will tretinoin do for you and why do you need it? 

Tretinoin offers the solution to a bevy of skincare concerns… from eradicating acne, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, reducing discoloration and dark spots, evening skin tone and texture, treating hyperpigmentation, and giving your skin a youthful glowing appearance. Collagen production is increased and this will improve skin elasticity. 

Now that you are ready to dive in and add tretinoin to your skincare regimen, we need to give you a quick warning about possible side effects and how to avoid them. 

Tretinoin must be incorporated into your skincare routine gradually. Use this product in the evening as the first product you apply after cleansing and toning your face and neck. You will want to wait about ten minutes after cleansing to keep the product from penetrating too deeply and causing adverse effects. 

Apply about a pea size from the tube to your face and neck- it does not take much of this product to be effective. For best results, wait 20 minutes for the tretinoin to penetrate fully into your skin. Follow this with a rich moisturizer, such as Skinceuticals Double Triple Lipid Restore or La Roche Pose Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream along with your eye cream. Avoid using a product with glycolic acid along with tretinoin, as this can cause a chemical reaction that can aggravate skin or cause chemical burns. If you use a product with glycolic or AHA ingredients, alternate these in your evening regimen.

When you begin using tretinoin, do not use it every night. Start by using it for one or two nights and then skip one or two nights. Your skin will become irritated, dry, flaky, and red. Your skin will also purge and leave tiny acne-like bumps for the first few weeks. 

If your skin feels like it is burning, rinse the product off give your skin a rest for a night or two, and just use a rich moisturizing cream. Your skin will adjust and the side effects will subside and you will experience the fabulous benefits if you have a little patience and push through! If you have concerns that the product might be causing these unwanted side effects, contact your service provider at Prestige Med Spa right away. 

Hopefully, you are already using a protective sunscreen of at least SPF 30 all day every day, but if you are naughty and have not yet added this to your morning routine, you must incorporate sunscreen every single morning.

Again, here in Charlotte NC Dr Awa's team at Prestige Med Spa will give you customized instructions on how to safely and effectively use tretinoin for safe, beautiful results.