Age is revered for bringing wisdom, and reviled for bringing wrinkles. Though most people never try to minimize the wisdom, many spend lots of time, money and energy on minimizing wrinkles. There's no way to permanently get rid of wrinkles, but there is a way of reducing their appearance to make skin smoother and tighter. According to Dr. Celeste Robb-Nicholson and Dr. Anthony Komaroff, the editors of Harvard Health Publications, prescription-strength tretinoin is one of the most effective ways to minimize fine lines without resorting to expensive treatments like Botox and Restylane injections. Tretinoin is FDA-approved and works by stimulating collagen production and sloughing off dead skin cells.
Step 1
Make an appointment to see your dermatologist and ask her about tretinoin lotion, which is often sold under the names Retin-A or Renova.
Step 2
Wash your face with soap and water. Pat thoroughly dry.
Step 3
Take a pea-sized amount of tretinoin lotion and apply a thin layer all over your face or directly onto affected areas. Avoid the sensitive eye area and the corners of your mouth.
Step 4
Apply the lotion at night and leave on until the morning. Follow your dermatologist's instructions on how often to use this product. Some people may use it daily while others only use it three times a week. Frequency of use depends on your skin's sensitivity to the medication.
Tips and Warnings
- You may experience increased irritation, redness and even a burning sensation when using tretinoin. These are normal reactions, but if they persist or become troublesome, discontinue use of the product and contact your dermatologist.
- Do not use tretinoin if you have eczema. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant before using tretinoin. This medication increases sun sensitivity so make sure to avoid the sun or use sunscreen before going outside. Do not apply tretinoin on broken or sunburned skin.
Things You'll Need
- Tretinoin cream
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