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Utah residents only: We are unable to ship to the state of Utah. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Retin-A is an FDA-approved gel for the treatment of acne. The active ingredient in Retin-A is Tretinoin, which is an acidic form of Vitamin A. It helps to loosen pores so they can release dirt and oil build-up from the skin. Retin-A also helps prevent new build-ups by keeping the skin porous. Noticeable differences can be seen after 2-to-3 weeks of use, as skin becomes more adjusted to the product. When used properly, the desired benefit could take up to seven weeks to achieve.
The active ingredient in Retin-A may cause an increased risk of sunburn, so use a sunscreen or moisturizer to prevent skin from becoming too dry. Retin-A should be kept away from the eyes, the mouth, angles of the nose and mucous membranes. Topical use may induce severe local inflammation/ redness and peeling at the site of application. If the degree of local irritation warrants, patients should use the medication less frequently, discontinue use temporarily or discontinue use altogether. Tretinoin may cause severe irritation on eczematous skin. Patients with this condition should use the product with the utmost caution. Excessive application of the product will not produce more rapid or better results, and marked redness, peeling or discomfort may occur. Oral ingestion may lead to the same side effects associated with excessive oral intake of Vitamin A. Speak with your doctor before using Retin-A if you are nursing or pregnant. Gels are flammable, so keep away from heat and flame.
Use Retin-A specifically as advised by your doctor. Typically, it is recommended that Retin-A be applied once daily to the affected area(s) in the evening before retiring. Use only enough to cover the entire affected area lightly. Patients may initially need to reduce the frequency of application until they are better able to tolerate the treatment. During the early weeks of therapy, an apparent exacerbation of inflammatory lesions may occur. This is due to the action of the medication on deep, previously unseen lesions and should not be considered a reason to discontinue therapy. Once the acne lesions respond satisfactorily, it may be possible to maintain improvement with less frequent applications. Patients may use cosmetics, but the area to be treated should be cleansed thoroughly before Retin-A is applied.
The most common side effects with Retin-A are related to skin irritation. There may be cases of redness, burning, itching, flaking, peeling, blistering or crusting. Some temporary darkening or lightening of the skin can occur. Certain sensitive individuals may experience excessive irritation upon initial treatment. If major irritation occurs, Retin-A should either be discontinued until the integrity of the skin is restored, or the dosage/frequency of application should be adjusted to a level the patient can tolerate. To date, all adverse effects of Retin-A have been reversible upon discontinuance of therapy. If patients experience uncomfortable or extreme side effects, they should speak with their physician and stop using Retin-A if necessary.
