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

Tretinoin may be all the rage in the skincare world recently. Touted for its ability to deal with acne, lessen fine lines and wrinkles, and improve sun damaged skin, there’s no wonder it’s so popular. But could it be safe for the skin?

If you’re thinking about incorporating this buy tretinoin into your skincare routine, you’ll have to be sure you use it properly in order to avoid any unwelcome unwanted effects. Plus, you’ll have to be extra careful when out in the sun. Read on to find out why.



What is tretinoin?
Tretinoin (also known as prescription retinoids or prescription vitamin A) can be a highly potent, medical-grade topical vitamin A cream or gel. It contains retinoic acid, which is easily the most biologically available active way 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 could only purchase it when you have a script from a doctor or dermatologist that has properly assessed your epidermis and deemed its use appropriate.

Tretinoin vs. Retinol: what's the difference?
Tretinoin and retinol are classified as retinoids — but there are a few key differences between them:

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

What is tretinoin used by?
It may seem like tretinoin has only been on the skincare radar in recent years, nevertheless it’s actually a popular topical treatment for acne that’s been used by almost 50 years. It continues to be found in lowering inflammation associated with acne, clear existing acne minimizing the severity of outbreaks.

But treating acne isn’t tretinoin’s only benefit. A 2012 study indicates it can also be helpful for:

Improving skin and texture
Reducing the appearance of face lines and wrinkles
Reducing the appearance of dark spots on the skin
Improving premature aging of skin due to sun damage (photoaging)
Other research on the use of retinoids in the treatment of skin aging found that ​“amongst the retinoids, tretinoin possibly is easily the most potent and certainly probably the most widely investigated retinoid for photoaging therapy.”

How does tretinoin work?
Tretinoin functions by speeding in the cellular turnover within the skin, making skin cells divide and die faster so that new, healthier cells can replace them. However, in order to stimulate this process, tretinoin must ultimately irritate the skin. This is why people often experience uncomfortable unwanted side effects when first employing this product.

Most people start observing a difference inside their skin after two to three weeks of using the product, nonetheless it can take 6 or maybe more weeks for that full benefit to appear.

Can tretinoin fade skin spots or sunspots?
Some research suggests tretinoin can fade the appearance of liver spots on skin. However, everyone’s skin is different along with a topical treatment alone may not be the most effective strategy to fade sun spots on your own face or body. This is why it’s important to consult with a dermatologist before starting any sun spot removal treatment getting personalised advice around the best approach for your skin.

Likewise, it’s important to experience a thorough skin check by a melanographer or dermatologist to confirm perhaps the spots you would like to fade really are sunspots rather than something more sinister. It can be difficult to spot the difference from the harmless sunspot and a potential skin cancer or melanoma so make sure you have your skin spots professionally checked before using tretinoin or other prescription retinoids.

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

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

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

Tretinoin photosensitivity: Why you'll want to be extra careful in the sun when utilizing this product
Another complication associated with the using tretinoin is photosensitisation. This means it makes you more sensitive to the sun’s harmful UV rays and you can burn easily when confronted with sunlight.

From a skin cancer prevention perspective, this might be problematic. One of the key risk factors for skin cancer is often 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 risk of skin cancer, it’s crucial that you take extra precautions with sun protection when utilizing this product.

How to protect the skin from the sun when utilizing tretinoin:
Avoid excessive sun exposure — do not make use of this product should you work outdoors or spend considerable time out within the sun
Wear SPF 50+ sunscreen every day — even should you’re only staying indoors as indirect sunlight through windows can continue to damage or burn your 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 a top priority. But when it comes to your epidermis health, we encourage that you think beyond skincare products and commence making regular skin cancer checks part of your skin layer wellness routine too.

By having a professional skin check or mole check every 6 to twelve months, you’ll give yourself the best chance to catch any suspicious spots or lesions early. Plus, you’ll also love peace of mind which you’re keeping the skin safe — inside and out. Consider scheduling these regular checks at MoleMap Australia Skin Cancer Clinics for expert care and thorough examination.