How to use tretinoin for wrinkles and anti-aging?
Tretinoin is a popular acne treatment that is also used to combat photoaging and anti-aging, however it can be quite irritating to the skin, that’s why we asked a dermatologist how to safely use tretinoin for wrinkles.
Table of Content:
What are wrinkles? | Types of wrinkles | What is photoaging? | Does tretinoin help with wrinkles, photoaging and anti aging? | How to use tretinoin for wrinkles? | Steps to follow when applying tretinoin? | Warning and precautions about tretinoin | How to deal with the side effects? What strength is best wrinkles? | Where to buy tretinoin?
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As we age, we develop fine lines and wrinkles. While aging is a natural part of life, many individuals, especially women, wish to maintain a youthful look and thus delay for as long as possible the appearance of wrinkles.
A popular anti-aging and photoaging solution is tretinoin, a derivative of vitamin A, commonly used to treat acne, which is also effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, age spots and rough skin1.
Tretinoin is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for the treatment of antiaging and photoaging2.
We have asked Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist, about the benefits of using tretinoin for wrinkles, how it works, potential side effects, and how to use it safely and effectively. So, let’s dive in and discover the secrets of tretinoin for a more youthful complexion!
What are wrinkles and why do we get them?
Wrinkles are folds, creases or ridges that appear as the skin loses elasticity and the amount of collagen in the dermis, or middle layer of the skin, and the quantity of fat in the subcutaneous or deepest layer of the skin decrease over time. In addition to natural aging processes, wrinkles appear on the face due to a variety of factors, including exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, smoking, and environmental factors such as pollution3.
Wrinkles can appear at a different age for different people, but they become more common as we age. Typically, the first wrinkles appear in our 30’s or 40’s, although some people may notice them earlier or later.
Several factors can contribute to the development of wrinkles, including a person’s skin tone, hormones, smoking and disease4.
Exposure to UVA and UVB rays from the sun or tanning beds5 and a diet high in sugar can accelerate the aging process and lead to the formation of wrinkles6.
Other factors that can contribute to the development of wrinkles include the loss of collagen and elastin in the skin, which occurs as we age or due to certain medical conditions or medications7.
Repeated facial expressions such as frowning or squinting, also contribute to the formation of wrinkles over time.
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Tretinoin: What’s the difference?
Types of wrinkles
Dynamic wrinkles are caused by the contraction of a muscle attached to the skin. They are typically located between the eyebrows, forehead, cheeks, and near the outer corners of the eyes typically referred to as “crows feet”.
Static wrinkles are caused by UV damage, smoking, or poor nutrition
Wrinkle folds are often due to sagging of the facial structure, causing deep grooves between the nose and mouth known as the naso-labial groove8.
Does tretinoin help with wrinkles?
According to Dr. Chacon, retinoids such as retinol and tretinoin are approved by the FDA as an effective anti-aging treatment. Dr. Chacon also added that there are also some additional measures you can take to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles or delay their onset.
For example, in addition to tretinoin, you can complement your anti-aging skin care routine with hyaluronic acid, glycolic, salicylic or lactic acids and do some lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding smoking.
What is photoaging?
Photoaging (also known as sun damage or UV damage) is the premature aging of the skin that occurs as a result of long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds9.
The clinical characteristics of photoaging include fine and coarse wrinkles, roughness, dryness, pigmentary alterations, telangiectasia (broken capillaries typically known as spider veins lines), and may also include in some cases precancerous lesions10.
Can you use tretinoin for wrinkles, photoaging and anti aging?
Multiple studies over the last decades consistently reported that tretinoin creams and gels are very efficient in improving the appearance of photoaging in terms of wrinkling, hyperpigmentation, sallowness (yellowish skin tone caused by smoking or UV exposure), and lentigines (age spots) as early as one month and up to 24 months11.
In addition to tretinoin, you can also take some preventive measures to prevent or minimize photoaging such as protecting your skin from UV radiation by applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding tanning beds and prolonged exposure to the sun during peak hours.
How does tretinoin improve wrinkles?
The speed of the cell renewal process decreases with age. For example, for people young adults this process lasts between 10 – 21 days, while for middle-aged people the skin cell renewal process may last between 45 – 60 days12. Tretinoin stimulates cell turnover, reduces pigmentation, normalizes sun-damaged cells13.
Besides, as we age, our skin’s ability to produce collagen decreases, leading to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines14. Tretinoin boosts collagen production, increasing skin structure and elasticity which improves the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines15.
How to use tretinoin for wrinkles and anti-aging?
“When using tretinoin or any other prescription medication, it is important to follow the instructions provided by your dermatologist or healthcare provider,” says Dr. Chacon.
Steps to follow when applying tretinoin
- You should always apply tretinoin at night since it is photosensitive. Wash your face with a mild cleanser and gently pat dry your skin.
- Wait for 30 minutes or so and apply a moisturizer
- Wait 5-10 minutes and apply a pea-sized amount of tretinoin to the affected areas of the skin, such as the forehead, cheeks, and around the eyes (avoid the delicate skin around the lips and nostrils)
- Wait for 5-10 minutes and apply a moisturizer again
- Wait for 5-10 minutes and apply hyaluronic acid to avoid irritation
Warning and precautions when using tretinoin for anti-aging
Tretinoin is considered teratogenic, so it cannot be used if you want to become pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding because it may cause serious harm to the fetus16 17. Women using tretinoin should also use an effective contraception method.
Tretinoin is a prescription medication and should only be used under medical supervision.
How to deal with the side-effects of tretinoin?
Tretinoin may cause you some unpleasant side effects including skin irritation, redness, burning or stinging, click on the link to learn more about the so-called tretinoin purge.
What strength of tretinoin is best for wrinkles?
Tretinoin is available in a variety of concentrations, ranging from creams and gels that contain 0.01%, 0.025%, and 0.05% tretinoin to stronger formulations that include 0.1% tretinoin.
Often, doctors would recommend a 0.05% tretinoin cream to their patients because it creates a nice combination between effective treatment and manageable side effects.
Where to buy tretinoin for wrinkles?
Tretinoin can only be bought with a prescription. To request a virtual dermatology consultation for tretinoin, click on the “start a consultation” button below.
Request a prescription for tretinoin as an anti-aging treatment
Start your journey to better skin. Get a personal treatment plan from one of our affiliated dermatology providers. Let them know if you have a specific medicine in mind.
Conclusion
Tretinoin is an effective and well-studied treatment for wrinkles and other signs of aging. When used correctly and consistently, it can help improve the appearance of fine lines, texture, and skin tone.
It is important to consider that tretinoin is a prescription medication and should only be used under medical supervision as some people may experience side effects such as irritation, skin peeling, and redness, but these symptoms often disappear by temporarily discontinuing the use of the medication.
Tretinoin: What’s the difference?
Acne Resources
Reviewed by dermatologists
Article References:
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2 https: //www. Aafp. Org/pubs/afp/issues/1998/0315/p1404. Html#
3 https: //www. Sciencedirect. Com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/wrinkle
4 https: //www. Ncbi. Nlm.Nih.Gov/pmc/articles/pmc2907965/
5 https: //www. Ncbi. Nlm.Nih.Gov/pmc/articles/pmc4425048/
6 https: //pubmed.Ncbi. Nlm.Nih.Gov/20620757/
7 https://www. Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/pmc/articles/pmc1606623/
8 https://www. Facialesthetics.Org/patient-info/facial-esthetics/wrinkle-treatment/
9 https://www. Ncbi. Nlm.Nih.Gov/pmc/articles/pmc4665475/
10 http://eknygos. Lsmuni. Lt/springer/107/29-51. Pdf
11 https://www. Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/pmc/articles/pmc9112391/
12 https://pubmed. Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/6827031/
13 https://www. Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/books/nbk557478/
14 https://www. Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/pmc/articles/pmc1606623/
15 https://www. Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/pmc/articles/pmc9112391/
16 https://rarediseases.Info.Nih.Gov/diseases/517/fetal-retinoid-syndrome
17 https://pubmed. Ncbi. Nlm.Nih.Gov/26897386/
Request a tretinoin prescription for wrinkles and anti-aging.