Tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid) is regarded as the gold standard for topically applied retinoids that are therapeutically efficacious for anti-aging therapies. For its antiaging characteristics, tretinoin is the most effective and well-researched retinoid. For the treatment of acne vulgaris, face wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, topical tretinoin philippines formulations (concentrations range from 0.01% to 0.1%; the most often used are 0.025%, 0.05%, or 0.1%) are licensed as prescription drugs. The effectiveness of tretinoin in the treatment of photoaging skin has been supported by several clinical trials. In a 2-year, placebo-controlled clinical research comprising 204 participants, the long-term safety and effectiveness of 0.05% tretinoin in the treatment of moderate to severe face photodamage were assessed. According to the study’s findings, using 0.05% tretinoin emollient cream once daily for a prolonged time is a secure and efficient therapy.
Although 0.05% tretinoin is present in the majority of formulations used to treat aging skin, the ideal concentration, application method, and length of therapy must be customized to each patient’s needs. Tretinoin is often regarded as therapeutically efficacious with a tolerable safety profile at a concentration of 0.025%. Because the retinoid response is dose-dependent, some studies examined the effectiveness of formulations with various doses. In general, formulations with lower concentrations led to a less dramatic but still substantial improvement in the clinical and histologic features of the treated photoaged skin with a reduced incidence of side effects compared to formulations with higher concentrations. In general, compared to formulations with higher concentrations, lesser concentrations produced a less apparent but still substantial improvement in the clinical and histologic features of the treated photoaged skin. It is advised to start therapy with a lower concentration of the active component and gradually raise the dosage to a comfortable level by using moisturizers to maintain the skin moisturized to prevent a retinoid dermatitis reaction. Regarding the length of tretinoin treatment, there is no agreement. Long-term maintenance therapy with routine application of the retinoid at lower doses and/or less often is advised to follow initial treatment[1].
User Review:
“I wanted to take the time to write a review in the hope that at least one person will benefit from it and feel more confident about continuing to use Retin-A. I have been anticipating the day when I can write my reviews. Just around 4 months have passed since I first began using Retin-A.25. Three weeks before my birthday, I started working. I recall calling my dermatologist in advance with a tonne of concerns, but largely out of fear of having to go through THE PURGE during this hectic week of festivities, activities, etc. Thankfully, I took the chance and began! I decided that it must… I’ll begin the next week or month. Since when is there ever a good moment for acne, let’s be honest! The past four months can only be summed up as a roller coaster. There’ll be positive days. You’ll have days when you stay indoors. I had moments when I thought I had finished purging, but it kept coming back. IT REQUIRES TIME. Additionally painful cysts do not go gone. I’d much rather have 20 whitehead zits than one nasty deep cyst on my face! It was the hardest experience I’ve ever had. You’ll have to exercise patience. tears are in order, and why mine? Three cysts that were nearly the size of a coin were the reason I once arranged an urgent derm appointment. I was at my wits’ end. It had been 2.5 months. I was given the motivation to keep moving forward when he sat me down and told me that it takes 3–4 months to see improvements and that you will detest your dermatologist throughout that period. The wonderful news is here! I’ve now lived here for four months, and I’ve never been happier. A breakout hasn’t occurred in me in 1.5 weeks. I can’t recall the last time I could make that statement. I won’t feel overwhelmed if I attempt the CALI summer. I won’t feel like I’m hiding if I face the CALI summer. My best advice is to be resilient. Remind yourself daily that the rest of your life is only 4 months away. It will all be worthwhile after you get over the first 4-5 months! Past events will be vague! You can do it! Good luck![2]
How exactly should I take this medicine?
The affected regions should be gently covered with tretinoin once the day before night. After properly washing it with moderate soap and water and blotting it dry with a soft towel, the application area should be dried. Use your fingers to apply a pea-sized dollop of the cream to the area where the acne lesions are located. Use just enough medicine to softly coat the afflicted regions. Do not massage the drug into your skin.
Keep the drug away from your lips, eyes, nose, and other readily irritated or sensitive regions. Applying too much medicine might cause it to spill into places like the eyes and other sensitive regions. Tretinoin should not be applied to skin regions with additional issues, such as eczema, skin that is extremely irritated, or open skin sores. Apply a moisturizer or a moisturizer with sunscreen that won’t exacerbate your acne after washing your face in the morning.
Do not use topical antibiotics or other topical acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide at the same time of day as tretinoin if your doctor has recommended them.
You can see new blemishes after 3 to 6 weeks of therapy. For 8 to 10 weeks, you will gradually start to feel better, so keep taking this prescription.
It is best to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, sunlamps, wind, and cold when receiving therapy. Wear protective gear and use sunscreen with the least SPF of 30 if exposure to the sun cannot be avoided.
The amount of medicine that a person needs depends on several factors, including body weight, other medical problems, and other prescriptions. Do not alter how you are taking the medicine if your doctor has prescribed a dose that differs from those indicated here without first talking to them.
You must take this medicine precisely as your doctor has advised. Skip the missed dosage and carry on with your usual dosing plan if you forget to take a dose. Applying a second dosage to make up for a missed one is not advised. Contact your physician if you are unsure about what to do after missing a dose.
Keep this medication out of the reach of children and store it at room temperature. Keep this drug away from an open flame since certain tretinoin formulations are flammable.
Avoid disposing of drugs in household rubbish or wastewater (such as down the sink or toilet). To dispose of drugs that are no longer needed or that have expired, consult your pharmacist.
What other medications could have interactions with Retin A?
Retin-A may interact with any of the following substances:
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Drugs that make the skin more sensitive to sunlight (e.g., isotretinoin, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, minocycline, ciprofloxacin)
- Soaps and cleansers that are abrasive or medicated
- Vitamin A, multivitamins
- Additional topical medicines
- Goods with high alcohol, astringent, spice, or lime content
- Skin products with salicylic acid, resorcinol, or sulfur
- Cosmetics and soaps have a significant drying effect[3].
Reference:
- Sitohang IBS, Makes WI, Sandora N, Suryanegara J. Topical tretinoin for treating photoaging: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2022 Mar 25;8(1):e003. doi: 10.1097/JW9.0000000000000003. PMID: 35620028; PMCID: PMC9112391.
- https://www.drugs.com/comments/tretinoin-topical/retin-a-for-acne.html
- https://www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/imovane