Tretinoin is a powerful prescription skincare ingredient that can improve the appearance of blemishes, fine lines and pigmentation problems. It can also slow the effects of sun damage on the skin.
It’s only available on prescription from a dermatologist or GP who specialises in cosmetic skin services. Alternatively there are several reputable telemedicine services that offer virtual consultations and prescription skincare products.
Acne Treatment
Tretinoin is a powerful exfoliating medication which reduces acne, dark spots and fine lines and wrinkles. It also creates more even skin tone and fades skin discoloration from previous breakouts or tanning sessions. But it’s not available on the NHS – you’ll need to visit your dermatologist and get a prescription for it.
Unlike many buzzy skincare ingredients that are ingested, tretinoin is applied directly to the skin as a cream or gel. This means it can treat a wider variety of conditions including blackheads and whiteheads as well as acne, which is caused by clogged pores.
When you first start using tretinoin, you may experience a period of red, flaking and dry skin known as the purge phase. This is a normal side effect as your skin gets rid of old, damaged skin cells to make way for new ones. However, this is essential if you want to see the best results from your medication.
Wrinkles Treatment
Wrinkles are the creases and lines that develop on the skin over time. They can occur for a variety of reasons, including natural ageing and sun damage. They can be a common problem for many people, and there are many different treatments available.
Tretinoin is one of the most effective anti-ageing treatments on the market and it can be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help to limit discolouration from sun damage. However, it is important to remember that tretinoin can only improve the appearance of these changes and cannot reverse them completely.
Some aesthetic clinics offer Tretinoin cream or gel for a fee. They may have their own branded version of the product such as Obagi or Ketrel and some have a generic form of it that they can offer. There are also telemedicine startups that offer virtual consultations with doctors who can prescribe the medication and then send it to your home.
Dark Spots Treatment
Retinol and tretinoin are both synthetic derivatives of vitamin A, a skin-friendly substance that promotes cell growth and contributes to a smooth complexion. While retinol is readily available in serums and creams over the counter, it needs to be converted by your body into tretinoin to work. This makes it less powerful than tretinoin, which can be used on the face with a doctor’s prescription and should only be used under the supervision of a dermatologist to minimise risk of damage.
Retinal can be a powerful tool to help fade dark spots, notably caused by sun damage or hormonal changes. However, it can be difficult to get a clear result especially for people with darker skin.
For best results, Alicia recommends using a barrier-repairing formula with tretinoin (including gentle, simple and bland moisturisers) and cutting out exfoliants such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid. It also takes time for tretinoin to start working on the skin, so it’s important to be patient.
Sun Damage Treatment
Tretinoin is a retinoid that speeds up cell turnover, so it can quickly improve fine lines and dark spots caused by sun damage. It also increases collagen production and decreases melanin, the pigmentation that gives skin its colour.
Retinol is another retinoid, a natural vitamin A derivative that promotes skin cell renewal and can help improve fine lines, pigmentation and acne. However, it is not as effective at treating sun damage, so a combination of both is usually recommended.
It’s possible to buy Tretinoin in the UK via a number of reputable telemedicine prescription skincare services. These offer virtual consultations and skin assessments which a doctor reviews. City Skin Clinic for example offers a video call with your own dedicated aesthetic doctor and provides prescription skincare products including Obagi Tretinoin cream.Tretinoin UK