Tretinoin is a medication derived from vitamin A that is used to treat acne and sun-damaged skin. It can help improve the appearance of surface wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots, but it cannot erase deep wrinkles. Tretinoin is also known as retinoic acid and is sold under many different brand names, including Retin-A.
When using tretinoin, it is important to avoid the eye area, lips, and nostrils as it can be too irritating for those areas. However, tretinoin can be used as an under-eye treatment to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, lighten dark circles, and increase collagen production in this sensitive area.
Tretinoin works by irritating the skin, which speeds up the life cycle of skin cells. It makes them divide faster and die faster, so newer, healthier cells can take their place. However, this skincare routine can be harsh and may not be tolerated by everyone. Doctors recommend building up to this point over time to minimize irritation.
Here are some positive and negative aspects of using tretinoin:
Positive:
- Can improve the appearance of surface wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots
- Can increase collagen production
- Can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, lighten dark circles, and increase collagen production in the under-eye area
Negative:
- Can be too irritating for some areas, such as the eye area, lips, and nostrils
- Can cause skin irritation, redness, and flaking
- Can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it is important to use sunscreen
The ingredients or materials in tretinoin include synthetic vitamin A and various brand names such as Altreno, Atralin, Avita, Refissa, Rejuva, Renova, Retin-A, Stieva, and Tretin-X.
It is important to use tretinoin correctly in order to see all of its benefits. If your doctor or dermatologist thinks that tretinoin is right for you, make sure you know how it should be used, how long it will take to know if it’s working, and signs that you should stop using it.
