Retin-A (tretinoin)
Retin-A (tretinoin) is a skin medication used for the treatment of acne.

Retin-A

Retin-A (tretinoin) is a skin medication used for the treatment of acne. It is available in the form of liquid, cream and gel. This medicine should be applied to the area of the skin affected by acne with a fingertip, cotton swab or gauze pad making sure the layer is very thin. The application usually takes place in the evening and you should wash the face with some mild soap before that and gently pat it dry. Try to avoid using make up during the entire period of treatment, or if you still need to use some, cleanse the area before applying Retin-A. You should not get worried if you do not notice immediate improvement - it can take Retin-A several weeks to make the first results of the treatment more or less obvious. When you notice the improvement, do not stop the treatment as the progress can be lost. Also do not increase the dosage recommended and apply more of the medicine - this will not make it any more efficient. If you happened to miss an application you can continue as usual on the next day, but try to make sure this does not happen too often.

People with very sensitive skin can experience blistered, puffy, crusted or reddened skin. This personal drug intolerance should be reported to your doctor to make sure he can adjust the dosage to make it beneficial for you or tell you to discontinue the treatment for the skin to regain its normal condition. The side effects you may experience are mild and can include dry skin, itching, stinging, burning and redness. The light feeling of warmth and stinging when you apply the medicine is normal and passes in several minutes. When applying this medication, make sure you do not get any cream or liquid on your mouth, eyes, and mucous membranes.

It's important to check with your doctor before you combine Retin-A with any preparations that contain benzoyl peroxide or sulfur, as well as such medicines as resorcinol and salicylic acid. You can apply the preparations mentioned, but make sure you let your skin rest between them and applying Retin-A. Combining Retin-A with certain drug that increase sensitivity to sunlight. The drugs that can have such effects include major tranquilizers, antibiotics, sulfa drugs and water pills. The effects of Retin-A in pregnant women have not been properly studies, so make sure you tell your doctor about your pregnancy or breastfeeding before being given the prescription. Retin-A can pass into breast milk and may affect the health of a nursing infant. Before you notice consistent results about 6 to 7 weeks can pass. Avoid using any other products on the area to which you applied the cream during the next hour. Retin-A is not expected to cause any overdose symptoms.

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