Tretinoin: Benefits And Side Effects
Tretinoin is the acid form of vitamin A and so also known as all-trans retinoic acid or ATRA. It is a drug commonly used to treat acne vulgaris and keratosis pilaris. It is available as a cream or gel (brand names Renova, Retin-A)
Dermatology Use
Tretinoin is most commonly used as a form of acne
treatment. It was the first retinoid developed for this type of topical
use. Tretinoin is the best studied retinoid in the treatment of
photoaging. It is used by some as a hair loss treatment and also a
component of many commercial products that are advertised as being able
to slow skin aging or remove wrinkles. Topical tretinoin is also used to
treat and reduce the appearance of stretch marks by increasing collagen
production in the dermis.
Side Effects
When used, dryness of the affected skin may occur. More sensitive
patients may also experience redness, scaling, itching, and burning. A
gradual increase in the frequency and amount of tretinoin application is
best, as this allows one's skin to adequately adjust to the drug.
Patients should be careful to follow their physician's recommendations
when beginning a round of treatment.
This product increases the risk of extreme sunburn; care should be taken
(shade, sunscreen, etc.) to protect treated skin from overexposure to
ultraviolet light.
Because usage of tretinoin may cause thinning of the skin, it is
strongly recommended that patients who are using the drug abstain from
hair removal waxing. The wax will, when removed, pull off the top level
of epithelium (skin) with it, leaving a red, inflamed, sore, and
unattractive mark for several days. Tweezing or threading (epilation) is
a viable option for hair removal while using tretinoin. The recommended
timeframe to wait for a waxing treatment after using tretinoin varies
from source to source; anywhere from 5 days to 3 months have been
reported. Patients should consult with their aesthetician and
dermatologist to discuss the best hair removal options during or after
tretinoin use.