Why is Tretinoin Effective?
Ella Goodman
18 Feb 2020
Have you been looking in the mirror lately and thinking that maybe your complexion isn’t looking as refreshed and youthful as it once did? Or perhaps new breakouts are suddenly sprouting up, making you feel like your skin has reentered adolescence. Maybe you’ve tried what seems like an endless stream of skincare products and just haven’t been happy with the results.
If you’re looking for a solution to your skincare woes, you may have heard tretinoin might be the answer, but you want to know more about what it is and why it’s effective. Everyone seems to be raving about it, but this is your skin we’re talking about. As a smart skincare consumer, you need more than a few testimonials to convince you. Let’s take a closer look at what tretinoin is and why it’s so effective in treating a range of skincare concerns.
Tretinoin Revealed
Tretinoin is a member of the retinoid family that’s often prescribed under the brand name Retin-A. There are several members of the retinoid family, all being derivatives of Vitamin A. Of the retinoids, tretinoin ranks among the strongest, which means it’s more closely monitored by the FDA and therefore available only by prescription.
Tretinoin, or Retin-A, is commonly prescribed by dermatologists and medical skincare experts because it has shown to be effective at treating a range of skincare conditions. It’s one of those skincare miracles that seems to be equally effective at healing acne as it is preventing the signs of premature aging in more mature skin. Tretinoin has quite a following, and some claim that it really is a miracle worker for their skin.
Of course, as with all great things, there’s a bit of a downside as well. Tretinoin can cause some side effects, especially within the first few weeks of use. Tretinoin is also considered a Class C medication for pregnant and nursing mothers. It’s listed as a Class C because animal studies have provided evidence that tretinoin use may present some risks to the unborn child and the effects on the nursing infant are unknown.
Why Is Tretinoin So Effective?
To understand why tretinoin is so effective, we first need to understand how it works. Tretinoin does a couple of different things. First, it works to speed up the process of cellular renewal. As we age, the rate at which our cells regenerate begins to slow down. Ever wonder why it’s so hard to recapture that glow of your youth? This is part of the reason why. Younger skin is newer skin because the cells are rejuvenating at a faster rate.
As tretinoin speeds up this process, you benefit first from skin that is glowy and more radiant looking. For those who use tretinoin because they suffer with acne, the more rapid cell turnover reduces the amount of dead skin cells that accumulate on the skin surface and become trapped in pores. Dead skin cells love to lodge themselves into pores where they mix with a combination of sebum, dirt, residues, and bacteria. This is a recipe for an acne disaster. For acne, tretinoin essentially clears the pathway for healthy pores and minimizes the damage caused by surface bacteria.
For many years, the treatment of acne was the main application of tretinoin. In fact, acne is the only FDA approved indication. However, the effects of tretinoin on maturing skin didn’t go unnoticed and before long, retinoids had gained a name for themselves as anti-aging miracle workers in the skincare industry.
For an anti aging skincare regimen, anything that speeds up cell turnover is a great thing. Even without the fine lines, wrinkles, and discolorations, skin can take on a lackluster appearance as we grow older. Tretinoin freshens the complexion to restore a youthful radiant glow. Tretinoin also improves the appearance of mature skin in another way, and it’s one you might not expect.
Tretinoin causes a bit of irritation to the skin. If you know a someone who uses Retin-A, you’ve probably heard about the unpleasant side effects like redness that can happen early on with treatment. These side effects are caused by the irritation tretinoin produces, and eventually they will subside as your skin adjusts. This irritation is an important part of tretinoin’s mechanisms, and here’s why.
As tretinoin irritates the skin, it produces a reactionary response. You know how your skin immediately gets a little red in response to a small scratch or bug bite? Your skin is an amazing organ with all sorts of defense mechanisms built in. As it works to repair itself, there’s an uptake in the production of collagen. Collagen production is another one of those things that begins to decline as we mature, becoming noticeable as early as your thirtieth birthday.
As collagen increases, you benefit from skin that looks fresher, younger, and more supple. Plus, the increase in collagen also helps to slow down how the natural aging process affects your skin.
Is Tretinoin Right for Everyone?
Tretinoin is great for some people but it’s not a one size fits all skincare solution. Tretinoin can have a few unpleasant side effects and the fact that it’s only available through a prescription is a deterrent for some. Fortunately, there are ways of getting all the benefits of tretinoin without the side effects or hassle. Tretinoin isn’t the only retinoid that is effective at balancing and rejuvenating your skin. Retinols, which are gentler and don’t require a prescription, can do wonderful things for your skin – especially when combined with complimentary, effective ingredients. Admire My Skin Clinically Effective Retinol Cream has been shown to produce results on a par with tretinoin with far fewer side effects.
There is more than one way to beautiful, healthy skin. Choose the path that honors your skin and works for you.
