Medical Encyclopedia

Many patients happen to be totally opposed to trying a topical Vitamin A product such as Retin-A for various skin disorders like acne vulgaris, blackheads and whiteheads, wrinkles. Dermatologists suppose that Retin-A is one of the most misunderstood drugs among patients. There is a prevalent misconception that the use of the product is, to a great extent, irritating. But the problem is that people use Retin-A too much and two often what leads to negatives side effects and quitting of the therapy. The fear of applying to Retin-A also roots in that too many times patients are given Retin-A in a form and strength inappropriate for their skin type without any instructions to help them diminish the likelihood of irritation development. Retin-A undoubtedly exerts certain adverse effects. It may actually make skin look worse with redness, flakiness and peeling but it continues for up to eight weeks of the therapy. By 24 weeks patients will definitely see marked improvements with the skin cleared up.

Another thing is that patients must follow doctors' instructions. Usually doctors prescribe that patients ramp up the drug very slowly during six weeks. The recommendation is also to use a pea size dab for the entire face. The product should be used once every three nights for a couple of weeks or once a week if the skin feels irritated, then every other night eventually working up to every night if the skin can handle it. Very often people rush and glob the drug on every night from the start thinking that in such a way they can speed up the process of healing but after they call their doctor in a panic that their skin is red and peeling. That is why one should be very cautious about the drug application and follow the doctor's instruction.

As for the fear of using the product during the summertime, applying it does not mean that the skin will burn to a crisp. It is important that a patient wear a sunscreen daily and pay attention to how much sun they are getting. But it does not mean that one should give up Retin-A therapy because of being exposed to the sun. For this a vigilant sun protection is highly required.

Retin-A is considered to be an anti-ageing product as well which reduces wrinkles and fine lines. But as people age their skin becomes much drier and unable to tolerate a medication like Retin-A. Taking this into account, the manufacturers used an active ingredients of Retin-A, tretinoin, but with a more moisturizing base what produced a drug under the name of Renova. Renova is advised for the wrinkles and fine lines reduction to those who cannot tolerate Retin-A for the same purpose.

One more precaution concerns pregnant and nursing women. Retin-A should be avoided by them because there is a risk of birth defects and the drug passing into the milk. Retin-A works on a cellular level and affects the skin cell DNA. That is why there exists a danger for a developing fetus.