Retin A Cream 0.025 Used For Wrinkles

Retin-A, also referred to by the generic name Tretinoin, is a commonly prescribed topical medication used to treat wrinkles, acne, sun damage and hyperpigmentation. Retin-A is in a class of medications known as retinoids, which are a form of vitamin A. Retin-A improves wrinkles by increasing the rate at which your skin cells slough off and promoting the production of collagen. Consequently, a new and younger-appearing complexion is revealed underneath.

Types

Retin-A cream is available in 0.1, 0.05 and 0.025 percent strength.

Benefits

Retin-A provides many benefits for your skin in addition to diminution of wrinkles. It also promotes a "rosy" glow, decreases the appearance of hyperpigmentation, including scars and sun spots, and increases smoothness and improves firmness.

Studies

A study published in 2008 in the "British Medical Journal" discovered that participants who applied Retin-A 0.02 percent cream daily experienced a greater improvement in fine and deep wrinkles after 16 to 48 weeks of treatment than the control group. Conversely, participants who applied concentrations of less than 0.02 percent saw no difference in the improvement of wrinkles than the control group. This may suggest that a concentration of at least 0.02 percent is required to effectively treat wrinkles.

Time Frame

Smoother skin can noticed in about one to two weeks and improvement in the appearance of wrinkles may be seen after three to six months, notes "Clinical Dermatology." The greatest improvement in wrinkles may be seen after six to nine months.

Side Effects

Side effects may include redness, stinging, tingling, peeling, swelling, hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation.

Recommendation

Wash your face with a mild, gentle soap before applying Retin-A. Dry your face and wait 20 to 30 minutes to apply Retin-A. This will assure that your face is completely dry so that the cream can effectively penetrate the skin. Apply a thin layer to your areas of concern at bed time. Use no more than a pea-sized amount for your entire face. If you have sensitive skin you may apply the cream every other day, and then gradually increase the frequency of application until you are able to tolerate daily application. A plateau in improvement typically occurs after eight to 12 months, after which the frequency of application should be reduced to three to four times a week for maintenance. If you find that your skin is very dry you may apply a moisturizer after applying Retin-A. Sunscreen should also be applied to protect against sunburn.

Caution

Retin-A should not be applied to broken skin or sensitive areas of skin, such as around the eyes, corner of the mouth or next to the nose. Retin-A can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, cold, wind and other topical products. You should avoid use of other topicals such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or astringents while using Retin-A, as it can increase the penetration of these products and thus may increase irritation. You should not use Retin-A if you are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant or nursing due to the teratogenicity of the drug. Stop the medication and contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant.