Tretinoin, also known as retinoic acid (and later marketed as Retin-A), was developed in 1969 by Drs. James Fulton, Jr., and Albert Kligman as a ground-breaking treatment for acne vulgaris. Fulton recognized the social and self-esteem issues teenagers with acne face because he had experienced severe acne throughout his teens. Fulton is also well known for saying that acne was not primarily brought on by chocolate. Other dermatologists at the time who were unaware of the role hormones and heredity play in acne development did not take his case study, “The Effect of Chocolate on Acne Vulgaris,” seriously.
Soon later, in 1971, Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical division introduced tretinoin under the trade name Retin-A®. Retin A Cream is a well-liked product, and Johnson & Johnson retained ownership of it until 2011.
Fulton and his dermatological colleague Dr. Harvey Blank eventually developed topical erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide gel after jointly developing tretinoin (Retin A) with Kligman. The FDA has also given these two drugs the go-ahead to treat acne.
Nowadays, the majority of patients will take tretinoin as a generic drug, occasionally as a component of a more intricate mix of skincare chemicals. However, Retin A Cream is still a widely used word and some individuals confuse the two.
Retin A Cream and Tretinoin are interchangeable. You should be aware of the following:
Retin A Cream: What Is It and How Does It Treat Acne?
Retin-capabilities A’s are derived from the active ingredient tretinoin, but it also contains small amounts of inert ingredients that are required to create the cream or gel vehicle. The amount of tretinoin given determines how much of each ingredient is present in Retin-A.
- Acrylic acid
- Butylated hydroxytoluene
- Xanthan Gum
- Polyoxyl 40 Stearate
- Sorbic Acid
- Water
Additionally, the epidermal cells at the base don’t divide as quickly, which results in a longer lifespan for these cells on the outer layer. Because it works at the cellular level, it takes some time to see the full effects. Retin A 0.1 alters the skin’s visible signs of development in several different ways. Retin a 0.05 also helps treat the skin’s regenerative appearance and a few minor skin issues, such as skin outbreaks, and precancerous conditions such as skin diseases.
Tretinoin is the active ingredient that minimizes acne outbreaks, minimizes wrinkles, and minimizes age spots. It functions by accelerating the rate at which your skin grows and repairs. Retinoic acid, which is the molecule that attaches to retinoic acid receptors in your skin and initiates this process, is retinoic acid in chemical terms.
The abnormal and accelerated shedding (desquamation) of dead skin cells from within and around hair follicles is the primary cause of acne. Dead skin cells don’t shed from the skin as quickly as they do in those without acne, which makes this shedding odd. Desquamation, on the other hand, results in clogged pores, bacterial infection, irritation, and, in the end, acne outbreaks.
Retin a Cream 0.025 aids in the regulation of the desquamation process, which lessens the development of comedones and microcomedones (the invisible “seeds” of acne blemishes) (acne lesions between 2 mm and 3 mm in diameter). This is accomplished by hastening the process by which your skin pushes fresh cells to the surface, clearing out debris from follicles in the process.
Retin A Cream and antibiotics may occasionally be prescribed together by dermatologists to treat acne. Antibiotics reduce the number of germs in and around follicles, reducing swelling, redness, and pain. They lessen the chance of microscopic infections, which can result in breakouts.
Using Retin A Cream for Acne
- Retin A Cream should only be used as directed by your doctor. Keep in mind that it can take a few weeks before you notice an improvement in your acne. Even if there is little improvement, keep using Retin A Cream as directed by your doctor.
- Avoid using sunlamps, tanning beds, and direct sunlight. Skin is more sensitive to UV radiation when using Retin-A. When exposed to the sun, Retin A Cream may be covered with sunscreen. Retin A Cream should ideally be used at night before bed.
- On inflamed, sunburned, or chapped skin, avoid using Retin-A.
- Wash your hands and skin with a mild soap before using Retin-A. Wait for around 30 minutes after completely drying the skin before using Retin-A. Itching and redness could result from applying this medication to moist skin.
- If unpleasant effects occur, contact your doctor right away.
