If you’re thinking about incorporating this Tretinoin Australia into the skincare routine, you’ll need to ensure you use it properly to avoid any unwelcome side effects. Plus, you’ll have to be extra careful when out within the sun. Read on to understand why.
What is tretinoin?
Tretinoin (also known as prescription retinoids or prescription vitamin A) is really a highly potent, medical-grade topical vitamin A cream or gel. It contains retinoic acid, which is the most biologically available active kind of vitamin A, and comes in different formula strengths.
Unlike retinol and other over-the-counter versions of vitamin A, tretinoin can be a prescription-only topical treatment. This means you are only able to purchase it in case you have a script from the doctor or dermatologist who may have properly assessed your skin and deemed its use appropriate.
Tretinoin vs. Retinol: is there a difference?
Tretinoin and retinol are both 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 around the skincare radar in recent years, nonetheless it’s actually a popular topical treatment for acne that’s been used for almost half a century. It may be found in reducing inflammation associated with acne, clear existing acne and reduce the severity of outbreaks.
But treating acne isn’t tretinoin’s only benefit. A 2012 study indicates that it may also be helpful for:
Improving complexion and texture
Reducing the appearance of wrinkles and wrinkles
Reducing the appearance of brown spots on skin
Improving premature aging of skin on account of sun damage (photoaging)
Other research for the use of retinoids inside treatment of aging of the skin found that “amongst the retinoids, tretinoin possibly is the most potent and certainly the most widely investigated retinoid for photoaging therapy.”
How does tretinoin work?
Tretinoin works by speeding up the cellular turnover in 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 utilizing the product, but it can take 6 or higher weeks to the full benefit to be noticed.
Can tretinoin fade skin spots or sunspots?
Some research suggests tretinoin can fade the appearance of dark spots on the skin. However, everyone’s skin is different as well as a topical treatment alone may not be one of the most effective method to fade sun spots on the face or body. This is why it’s important to consult using a dermatologist before starting any sun spot removal treatment to get personalised advice for the best approach to your skin.
Likewise, it’s important to possess a thorough skin check by the melanographer or dermatologist to confirm whether or not the spots you want to fade really are sunspots and never something more sinister. It can be difficult to recognize the difference from a harmless sunspot as well as 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 may cause some skin irritation when you begin using it as your skin needs time and energy to adjust on the active ingredients. Some other common negative effects of tretinoin include mild to moderate:
Skin redness or inflammation
Dryness
Peeling or flaking
Itching
However, most people notice a reduction in these unwanted effects after a few weeks utilizing the product.
Tretinoin photosensitivity: Why you have to be extra careful inside the sun when you use this product
Another side effect associated with the utilization of tretinoin is photosensitisation. This means it can make you more sensitive to sunlight’s harmful UV rays and you may burn easily when exposed to sunlight.
From a skin cancer prevention perspective, this can be problematic. One of the key risk factors for skin cancer is really a history of sunburn so it’s obvious why photosensitivity from tretinoin is concerning. While there is currently no evidence to suggest tretinoin use increases your likelihood of skin cancer, it’s crucial that you just take extra precautions with sun protection when you use this product.
How to protect your epidermis from the sun when using tretinoin:
Avoid excessive sun exposure — do not use this product if you work outdoors or spend a lot of time out in the sun
Wear SPF 50+ sunscreen every day — even if you’re only staying indoors as indirect sunlight through windows can still damage or burn your skin
Wear sun protective clothing when outdoors
Make regular skin checks part of your epidermiscare routine
At MoleMap, we agree that looking after your skin is often a top priority. But when it comes to your epidermis health, we encourage one to think beyond skincare products and commence making regular skin cancer checks part of the skin 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.