Thursday, 9 October 2014

Tretinoin (Retin-A) and Acne treatment


Retin-A (tretinoin) is a powerful acne treatment medication, derived from vitamin A.
It can be used to treat mild to moderately severe acne, and is especially effective for those with comedonal acne (many blackheads and whiteheads).

Tretinoin is an acid form of vitamin A.
When it is delivered to the skin in a gel, it stimulates normal maturation of cells in the epidermis of the skin and activates genes that cause them to live out a 21-day life cycle during which they are pushed to the surface of the skin.
The solution also contains an antibacterial agent called erythromycin

Assuming the problem in the skin was sluggish growth that kept pores tight and tough skin locked over blackheads, nodules, and cysts, stimulating the growth of the skin can be just the thing for hard-to-treat blackheads and small cysts.

Used for Mild to moderate acne
Acne is the common cause of spots.
Most people with acne are aged between 12 and 25, but some older and younger people are affected too.
Small sebaceous glands lie just under your skin surface and make an oil (sebum) that keeps your skin supple and smooth. Tiny pores on your skin allow the sebum to come on to the surface of your skin.

In acne, some of these pores become blocked causing small pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.
Applying tretinoin to the areas of your skin with acne will help to unblock pores, and to treat blackheads and whiteheads.

How it Works:
All tretinoin products work by speeding up cell turnover rates, rapidly exfoliating the skin and decreasing the buildup of dead cells within the follicle.
This, in turn, reduces the formation of comedones .
Retin-A also makes existing blackheads less "sticky," helping the blockages make their way to the surface to be expelled.

Apply tretinoin exactly as your doctor tells you.
It is usual to apply it to the area where your spots occur once or twice a day at first, although your doctor may suggest you use it less than this once your skin has improved.
You only need to apply a thin layer. It is best if you wash and gently dry the affected areas of your skin before you apply tretinoin.

If you have been using a preparation for your acne that causes your skin to peel, allow your skin to recover for a few days before you start using tretinoin.

Do not use tretinoin on any areas of skin which are sunburnt or sore.  Also, try to avoid getting tretinoin on the sensitive areas of your skin in or around
your nostrils, your eyes and your mouth.

Getting the most from your treatment
It is recommended that you use a mild soap and lukewarm water to wash with, as very hot or cold water may worsen acne.

Is Tretinoin an Effective Treatment for Acne?
Topical tretinoin for acne is the over-the-counter form of the best-known acne drug Retin-A.
It is not as strong as prescription Retin-A, but sometimes it is exactly the right treatment for stubborn acne problems.

Tretinoin may cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than usual. You should avoid strong sunlight and sunbeds, and use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (an SPF of at least 15).
It is normal for tretinoin treatment to take up to four weeks before there is a noticeable improvement in your skin.  It can take up to four months for the full benefit to be seen.

The most common reason for treatment failure is stopping treatment too soon thinking it is not working. Continue using tretinoin for at least six weeks before you decide if it is working for you or not. If there is no improvement after six weeks or so, speak with your doctor again, as there are other treatments which can be recommended.

Warning and recommendations...
Tretinoin may harm an unborn child, so if you are a woman, you must avoid getting pregnant while you are using tretinoin.
Make sure you have discussed with your doctor which types of contraception are suitable for you and your partner. Once your spots have cleared, they may flare up again if you stop treatment. To prevent this, it is usual to carry on with a maintenance treatment after your spots have gone. Your doctor will advise you on a suitable preparation.

SOURCES:
http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/tretinoin-for-acne
http://acne.about.com/od/acnetreatments/a/retina.htm
http://www.facingacne.com/tretinoin-effective-treatment-acne/

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