You've probably heard that tretinoin gel is a powerful skincare ingredient.
Tretinoin gel is a topical retinoid, which means it's derived from vitamin A and works by affecting cell growth mechanics. Topical retinoids are used to treat a number of skin conditions, including acne, fine wrinkles, dark spots, and rough skin.
Tretinoin gel works by lightening the tone of skin, replacing older skin cell layer with newer skin cell layer, and slowing down the way the body removes skin cells by layer that may have been harmed by the sun or sun burns.
But you might not know exactly how it works or how long it takes to see results.
If you're using tretinoin gel to treat acne, you may see an improvement within four weeks. However, it can take up to three months or longer to see the full benefits of the medication.
Keep in mind that tretinoin gel only works as long as you keep using it. If you stop using the medication, your skin will eventually return to the way it was before you started using tretinoin.
Here's what you need to know about doses of tretinoin gel.
The dose of tretinoin gel is different for different patients. Follow guidance of your doctor’s or the directions on the label. The following information depend only on the average doses of tretinoin gel. If your dose of gel is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do that. The amount of tretinoin gel of doses you can apply each day, the time between doses, and how long you take medicine depend on the medical problem you are using it for. For acne: Adults - Apply to the affected skin area(s) once daily before bedtime.
Children – in the case of children below 9, use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For fine lines, dark spots, or rough skin caused by the sun: Adults under 50: Apply to affected skin area(s) once daily before bedtime.
Adults over 50 years of age - application and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Precaution while using Tretinoin gel is derived from Vitamin A.
·Take tretinoin gel only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not apply tretinoin gel more often, and do not take it longer time period than your doctor has directed. This may cause skin irritation.
·A package insert should be included with tretinoin gel. Read and follow instructions carefully. Ask your consulting doctor if you have any questions.
·Do not use tretinoin gel on windburned or on open wounds.
·Do not apply tretinoin gel in or around the eyes, lips, or inside of the nose. Do not spread gel in these areas. If it accidentally gets on these areas, wash it off with water as early as possible.
·Before applying tretinoin gel, wash the skin with a mild soap or detergent and warm water, using the tips of your fingers. Then gently pat it dry. Do not scrub hardly your face with a sponge or washcloth. Wait 20 to 30 minutes before applying the medicine to make sure the skin is completely dry. Using tretinoin gel on wet skin may irritate it.
·Apply just enough of the medicine to lightly cover the affected areas and rub it in gently but well. A pea-sized amount of tretinoin gel is enough to cover the entire face.
·You may need to use a moisturizer while using the lotion.
Point to keep in mind before using tretinoin gel
When deciding whether to take tretinoin gel, the risks of taking it must be weighed against the benefits. This decision is made by your consulting doctor. The following points should be considered with this medicine: Allergies Tell your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to tretinoin gel or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor about allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. Paediatrics No appropriate studies have been conducted on the relationship between age and the effects of tretinoin gel in children under 9 years of age. Geriatrics Appropriate studies conducted to date have not demonstrated geriatrics specific problems that would limit the usefulness of tretinoin gel in the elderly. Breastfeeding There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants of using this drug while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Drug interactions Although certain medicines should not be used in combination or together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even though an interaction may occur. In these cases, your doctor may change tretinoin gel amount using before applying, or other precautions may be needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines. Other drug interactions Certain medicines should not be taken at or near the time food or certain types of food are eaten because interactions may occur. Use of alcohol or tobacco together with certain medicines may also cause drug interactions. Talk to your doctor about taking tretinoin gel with food, alcohol, or tobacco. Other medical problems The presence of other medical condition or disease may affect the use of tretinoin gel. Tell your doctor if you have other medical problems like:
· Dermatitis, seborrheic (dandruff)
· Eczema (skin problem)
· Allergy to fish
· Sunburn - use with caution. May cause or aggravate skin irritation, itching or other skin problems.
Know the side effects before using Tretinoin gel
Along with its necessary effects, some medicines may cause unwanted side effects. Not all of these may occur, but if they don’t, they will still need medical attention.
· Short-term common side effects Certain side effects do not usually require medical attention and may go away as your body gets used to the medicine; it disappears in some time, such as: burning, stinging, peeling, redness or unusual dryness of the skin (severe). Less common side effects include dryness, pain, redness, irritation or peeling at the application site.
· Long term side effects however, if any of these more common side effects persist or become bothersome, then seek medical attention by your doctor: burning, itching on applied area, stinging, scaling or redness on the skin; chapping or slight peeling of the skin on applied area; darkening of the skin where gel is applied; lightening of normal skin color; lightening of treated areas of dark skin; redness of skin which is mild; unusual less dryness of skin; and unusually mild warmness of skin.
If you notice any other side effects not listed here then don't hesitate to speak to your healthcare professional. If you have questions about potential side effects then remember that your doctor is there to help and advise you.
How to store the tretinoin gel
· Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and don't keep expired or unused medicines.
· Ask your doctor for advice on how to properly dispose of any medication you no longer need.
· Store the tretinoin gel in a closed container should maintain room temperature, away from direct and indirect heat, moisture and direct sunlight.
· Do not freeze; the gel form is flammable and should be kept away from open flames or excessive heat.