Retin A may cause an initial outbreak of pimples but ultimately helps to reduce acne and prevent future breakouts.
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Retin A is a topical medication used to treat acne and rejuvenate the skin. The active ingredient in Retin A is tretinoin, which works by speeding up the skin’s renewal process, reducing inflammation, and preventing the clogging of pores.
While Retin A is an effective treatment for acne, it can cause an initial outbreak of pimples in some people. This is because as Retin A begins to work, it brings underlying acne to the surface. However, with continued use, Retin A can help to reduce acne and prevent future breakouts. According to Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist, “the good news is that once you get past that [initial breakout], the skin looks better than it did before you started using it.”
Interestingly, Retin A was first developed as an anti-aging medication. However, dermatologists began to notice that their patients who used Retin A also experienced improvements in their acne. Today, Retin A is a popular treatment for a variety of skin concerns, including fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and acne.
One of the benefits of Retin A is that it can be used in conjunction with other topical acne treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. However, it’s important to follow your dermatologist’s instructions and avoid using too many acne treatments at once, as this can lead to irritation and dryness.
In summary, while Retin A may cause an initial outbreak of pimples in some individuals, it ultimately helps to reduce acne and prevent future breakouts. As the saying goes, “no pain, no gain.” With a bit of patience and persistence, Retin A can lead to smoother, clearer skin.
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Speeds up skin renewal process | Retin A helps to increase cell turnover, which can lead to smoother, more even skin. |
| Reduces inflammation | By reducing inflammation in the skin, Retin A can help to prevent breakouts and calm existing blemishes. |
| Prevents clogging of pores | Retin A helps to prevent the buildup of dead skin cells and sebum in pores, which can lead to acne. |
Related video
Dr. Sam Ellis, a board-certified dermatologist, explains in a YouTube video about the concept of “purging” when using certain skincare products, such as retinoids and exfoliants, and how it differs from irritation or allergies. According to Dr. Ellis, purging lasts only four to six weeks and is a good sign that a product is working on the microcomedones. He also lists some active skincare ingredients that do not cause purging, such as vitamin C, antioxidants, peptides, and growth factors, but benzoyl peroxide can cause both purging and irritation. To minimize harsh effects, he recommends moisturizing regularly, minimizing harsh cleansers and using sun protection.
There are additional viewpoints
At first, using Retin-A might cause acne to appear worse than before. This is a somewhat common symptom. If this happens to you, keep following the instructions given to you by a doctor or dermatologist. These symptoms will eventually clear up.
In addition, people ask
Subsequently, Is it normal to get pimples after using retinol? The answer is: The immediate side effects of retinol treatment can take the form of a surge in acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and rashes. This is termed retinol purging. It lasts for about 2-6 weeks depending on the quality of the skin, following which the positive effects ramp up.
Likewise, Why am I getting pimples on tretinoin?
As an answer to this: Remember, your skin is undergoing a more rapid cell turnover than it’s used to. All of the substances that were clogging your pores get pushed to the surface layer of your skin, and because things are happening at a faster pace, you may experience light inflammation, contributing to breakouts.
Can you still get pimples on tretinoin?
Response: For many, tretinoin is highly effective at treating acne, but it’s still possible to experience breakouts once you stop using it. Even while using tretinoin, you may continue to experience breakouts from time to time (we’re looking at you, hormonal acne!), but that’s also completely normal.
Besides, How long will retinol purge last?
As a response to this: 2 weeks to 3 months
This varies, but you can expect the purge to last anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. If you’re seeing results for longer than 3 months, you might want to consult your GP or dermatologist. But first, be sure your skin concerns are definitely related to retinol…
Furthermore, Does retinol cause acne? As a response to this: But, it can vary depending on the skin. It can range from minor pimples to cystic acne, as well as dryness, redness, and peeling. Also, it is important to remember that retinol isn’t the direct cause of acne. Acne breakouts which occur during the purge phase would have developed on their own and retinol only speeds up their appearance.
Keeping this in view, Does tretinoin cause acne? Since starting the Tretinoin, her skin appears to have gotten worse with more severe acne. It is typically concentrated on her forehead and she is very self-conscious about it. Is there anything she can use in conjunction with the Tretinoin to help with breakouts? My heart breaks for her but I don’t know what to do.
Also asked, What are the side effects of Retin-A?
Answer to this: Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Retin-A. More frequent side effects include: exfoliation of skin, stinging of the skin, localized warm feeling, and mild erythema of skin. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects. Applies to tretinoin topical: topical cream, topical gel/jelly, topical lotion.
Likewise, Should I take Retin-A If I have acne?
Answer: Depending on your acne severity and cause, your doctor may prescribe you with Retin-A as an alternative to more disruptive oral medication such as Accutane or the contraceptive pill. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the name. The “A” refers to Vitamin A, which all retinoids are derived from.
Beside above, Does retinol cause acne?
In reply to that: But, it can vary depending on the skin. It can range from minor pimples to cystic acne, as well as dryness, redness, and peeling. Also, it is important to remember that retinol isn’t the direct cause of acne. Acne breakouts which occur during the purge phase would have developed on their own and retinol only speeds up their appearance.
Does Retin-A (tretinoin) work for acne? In reply to that: Retin-A ( tretinoin) is a prescription drug that is applied topically, or to the skin, to treat acne. 1 It can be effective in treating inflammatory acne, which can cause swelling and pimples deep under the skin. It also works especially well on comedonal acne, which is the type that involves blackheads or whiteheads. 2
What are the side effects of Retin-A?
Answer to this: Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Retin-A. More frequent side effects include: exfoliation of skin, stinging of the skin, localized warm feeling, and mild erythema of skin. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects. Applies to tretinoin topical: topical cream, topical gel/jelly, topical lotion.
Does Retin-A work for acne vulgaris? Retin–A is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acne vulgaris. This is the most common form of acne characterized by inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin lesions, including blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. 1 Retin–A is usually prescribed when over-the-counter medications and optimal skincare fail.