
How long does it take for retinol to work for wrinkles?
You can see at least a 60-70% reduction in wrinkles around the eye area, again over a period of 24 weeks. . Both of these before and after pictures were done using Obagi retinol serum which is available over the counter and at a pharmaceutical concentration to provide amazing results (more info below).
How much Retin A should I use for wrinkles?
A small amount of any one of these forms of Retin A is enough to treat wrinkles and other skin issues, so it is best to stick to applying a little amount of it. Also, you can follow the instructions on the product on how to use it best for wrinkles, as some Retin A products can contain other active ingredients.
How long do I have to use Retin A before I see results?
How long do I have to use Retin A before I see results? Most people start to see results in as little as 4 weeks, but it may take as much as 8 weeks for all of the results to set in. This is because it takes time for your skin to turn over and to stimulate both collagen and elastin production. The important part is to STICK WITH IT while you wait!
Do retinoids really reduce wrinkles?
Do retinoids really reduce wrinkles? Topical vitamin A–based drugs called retinoids—the most used and most studied anti-aging compounds— may reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Tretinoin, under the brand name Retin-A, was the first retinoid.

How long does tretinoin take to remove wrinkles?
If you're using topical tretinoin to reduce wrinkles, discoloration, age spots, and/or rough feeling skin, it can take 3–4 months or up to six months before you see results. If you stop using the medication or are inconsistent with your treatment, any improvements you see may disappear over time.
How long should I use Retin-A for?
For wrinkles, it takes at least six months—and one year is better. Initially, Retin-A can cause skin to turn red and flake.
Can Retin-A remove deep wrinkles?
In simple terms, tretinoin not only produces an improvement in skin quality and a reduction in wrinkles in short-term studies -- it's also highly effective at reducing wrinkles, discoloration and other signs of aging when used over the long term.
How long should you stay on tretinoin?
Also, your acne may seem to get worse before it gets better. It may take longer than 12 weeks before you notice full improvement of your acne, even if you use the medicine every day. Check with your doctor if skin irritation becomes severe or if your acne does not improve within 8 to 12 weeks.
Should I use Retin-A every night?
Answer: Retin-A should be used at night Retin-A and other retinoids should be applied daily. Night time application is favored, since retin-a can get deactivated by sunlight. If you get irritation from the cream, add a moisturizer every night as well.
When should I stop using retinol?
Key TakeawaysRetinol is generally safe, but should be used sparingly. ... Discontinue use if you have negative side effects after a few weeks of use and contact your physician to help reassess your skin type and find a solution that will protect your skin barrier .More items...•
Why do my wrinkles look worse after retinol?
First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.
What percentage of Retin-A is good for wrinkles?
High-strength retinol – 0.3%-1% Those with stubborn skin concerns, like deep wrinkles and pronounced uneven skin tone may want to consider a high percentage retinol cream, serum or treatment. Look for those with a retinol percentage of between 0.3% and 1%.
What happens if I use too much Retin-A?
First-time retinol users have reported irritation, including redness, dryness, and peeling. If you use too high a strength or apply retinol more frequently than you should, you may experience further irritation, like itchiness and scaly patches.
Is it OK to use tretinoin long term?
Even though tretinoin is a strong topical medication, it's generally considered safe and effective for long-term use. Most people can expect to see results within four to six weeks and will continue to see results for as long as they use it.
Can you use Retin-A indefinitely?
"You can use tretinoin or [over-the-counter] retinols forever."
Does Retin-A tighten skin?
The only skin care product that can truly provide a slight tightening effect with regular use is Retin A, or Tretinoin. This is because Vitamin A helps speed up skin cell turnover, helping to boost collagen production.
How much does retin A cost?
One downside to Retin-A treatments is that the creams themselves can be quite pricey.The cost of Retin-A can vary from $80 to $150 for a month supply.
How to reduce wrinkles with retinol?
If you want to reduce wrinkles with Retin-A, first meet with your doctor or dermatolog ist since you’ll need a prescription for this type of treatment. Once your doctor prescribes the proper strength for your skin, use Retin-A at night since it will make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Why do people get scared of Retin A?
Many people become scared of using Retin-A because they start applying the cream too heavily and experience negative side effects such as dryness, irritation, stinging and acne outbreaks. However, these effects can be greatly reduced if the cream is applied in moderation.
What to do if your skin is dry?
If your skin starts to feel really dry and your regular moisturizer doesn't seem to be enough, try rubbing some extra virgin olive oil into your skin before bed. The oil contains fatty acids which are extremely moisturizing for your skin, in addition to being very gentle.
What is the best medicine for wrinkles?
Retin-A is a topical prescription medication made from an acidic form of vitamin A. The generic name is tretinoin or retinoic acid. Although the medication was originally designed to treat acne, dermatologists found that Retin-A creams are also extremely effective in combating signs of aging - including wrinkles, dark spots and sagging. This article will tell you all you need to know about using Retin-A to reduce wrinkles, allowing you to turn back the clock!
How to use face cream?
At most, a pea-sized amount of cream should be used on the face, and a little more if applying to the neck. A good technique is to dab the cream on the areas most affected by wrinkles, age spots, etc., then wipe any remaining cream over the rest of the face.
Can you get a prescription for retinol?
Retin-A is the brand name version of the generic drug known as tretinoin. It is available only with a doctor's prescription, so you will need to make an appointment with a dermatologist if you are interested in trying this treatment.
What is the best medication for wrinkles?
Tretinoin is one of the most effective medications available for reducing wrinkles and improving your skin texture.
How to use tretinoin cream?
Tretinoin is sold as a topical cream, gel or solution. To use it, all you need to do is apply a small amount of the cream to your face, typically in the evening.
When Should You Expect Results From Tretinoin?
While the anti-aging and wrinkle reduction benefits of tretinoin are real, they typically don’t occur overnight.
How to get rid of acne on forehead?
Apply a Small Amount of Tretinoin. Tretinoin is a powerful medication, meaning you don’t need to use very much to manage aging and acne. Squeeze a small amount of tretinoin (roughly the size of a pea) onto your finger and gently apply the medication to your forehead, cheeks, chin and other areas of your face. ...
What are the side effects of tretinoin?
Common side effects of tretinoin include: 1 A warm or stinging sensation that affects the skin 2 Dry, painful, flaky or burning skin in treated areas 3 Red, scaling skin and noticeable skin irritation 4 A temporary increase in acne breakouts 5 Changes in your skin tone (lightening or darkening)
What is the strength of tretinoin?
Skin care medications containing tretinoin can range from .01% tretinoin to a maximum strength of .1% tretinoin. Most anti-aging studies show that the best results usually come from moderate strength tretinoin creams, such as those that contain .05% tretinoin. For example, a study published in the journal Archives of Dermatology compared ...
How to avoid tretinoin?
Avoid Your Eyes, Nostrils and Other Sensitive Areas. Avoid applying tretinoin directly to your lips, nostrils or areas close to your lips. If your tretinoin is a liquid solution, use a cotton pad to apply it more precisely. When applying tretinoin under your eyes, spread it away from your eyes.
How much wrinkles does retin A reduce?
Most people (who use a high quality Retin A product for a long enough time) will experience about a 50-70% reduction in wrinkles. This means that you will still have SOME wrinkles but the majority will be reduced.
What to do if retinol is too strong?
If you find that your prescription tretinoin or retin a is too strong then you will have to reschedule another appiontment to reduce the concentration - which will cost you more time and money. A better approach is to use retinol which you can start out low and titrate up as you know your body tolerates it.
Is retinol a joke?
How to use Retin A properly & What strength to start out on. One of the challenges of using Retin A and retinol is that Vitamin A is no joke for your skin. What this means is that a strong concentration can leave your skin dry and flaky, and a weak concentration will not have the desired effect that you are looking for.
Can you use retinol with Retin A?
The best part about Retinol is that you can get the same results using retinol as you can with Retin A but the difference is you don't get the redness or dry skin that usually accompanies Retin A.
How long does it take for a syringe to work?
Most people start to see results in as little as 4 weeks, but it may take as much as 8 weeks for all of the results to set in.
Does retin A help with wrinkles?
Retin A has been clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles in many, many studies. But in order to get this benefit you must be using it correctly! That means you need the right type of Retin A at the right dose and concentration. Learn how to use Retin A for wrinkles in this guide:
Who should start out with retinol 1.0%?
Who should start out using Retinol 1.0% strength: Those people who don't suffer from sensitive skin (you have tried facial products in the past and you don't have issues with redness or rashes) Those people who have tried retinol in the past but want even better results.
What is retinol A?
Retin-A is a brand name of tretinoin (like Q-Tips is for cotton swabs). I refer to it as Retin-A even though I use the generic tretinoin product. Retin-A is considered the gold standard of anti-aging topical treatments.
Can you use Retin A with sunscreen?
Because of this, Retin-A should be used along with sunscreen daily. Retin-A is a strong drug that’s regulated by the FDA and approved for use as an acne medication and for sun-damage.
Does Retin A help with wrinkles?
Retin-A doesn’ t keep you from smiling or making facial expressions that wrinkle the skin. but it does help the skin to release the wrinkle when the face is relaxed. The photo above shows the difference between the “etched in” wrinkles of the “Before” picture and the smooth more youthful looking skin in the “After” picture.
How do retinoids help with wrinkles?
Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin.
Why do you need to use retinol every other day?
Because retinoids can cause skin dryness and irritation, doctors often recommend using them only every other day at first and then gradually working up to nightly applications. Wear a sunscreen during the day, because retinoids increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight.
What is the best anti-aging medication for fine lines?
October 22, 2019. Topical vitamin A–based drugs called retinoids—the most used and most studied anti-aging compounds— may reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Tretinoin, under the brand name Retin-A, was the first retinoid.
How does retin-A work?
Retin-A works by shedding the top layer of keratinocytes from the outer layer of the skin. These are the cells that are causing a look of dryness that contributes to signs of aging. This step should occur within the first couple of weeks of use and will make the skin more smooth and less uneven.
What is Retin A?
Retin-A is a specialized form of vitamin A developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers in the 1960s. It was originally developed by researchers as an acne treatment but was quickly seen to have anti-aging effects in its trials. It is also known as tretinoin, the generic form of the brand name Retin-A product. While Retin-A is often thought of by consumers as an anti-aging product, it is also frequently prescribed for acne problems.
How long does it take for tretinoin to work?
Over several weeks or months , the skin becomes more used to Retin A and side effects, such as redness and dryness, are reduced. The tretinoin should be taking full effect at this point, helping to reduce skin issues like acne or fine lines and dryness.
What is the best product to use to improve skin appearance?
Retin A, the brand and prescription name of tretinoin, has been one of the most popular products to help improve the appearance of skin. If you have been thinking about trying Retin-A, you can learn more about how Retin-A works, how to use it, and what to expect from Retin-A. You can read more about how Retin-A works and see before ...
Why is retinol used?
Retin-A is used to treat the visible effects of aging on the skin. You can use Retin-A to reduce the appearance of dryness on the surface of the skin, which helps to make skin appear younger while also restoring elasticity.
What is the next step in collagen?
The next step is quicker replication of epidermal cells, which are under the keratinocyte layer. This step will help the skin to feel softer and healthier. The final step is that the collagen in the dermis layer of the skin, which is under the epidermis, will become thicker and realign.
What are the selling points of Retin A?
When you’re looking to try Retin-A, one of the most convincing selling points can be to see the real effects and improvements a medication or treatment has on real users. You will notice a dramatic difference in the appearance and texture of the skin, including differences in evenness, dryness, and appearance of fine lines or acne.
How Long Does Tretinoin Take to Reduce Wrinkles?
However, it usually takes several months before you’ll see a noticeable improvement in your skin’s clarity and quality after using tretinoin.
How long does it take for tretinoin cream to reduce skin melanin?
Participants given a 0.05 percent tretinoin cream saw an increase in epidermal thickness (skin thickness), as well as a reduction in skin melanin content and compaction of the outer layer of the skin after 24 weeks of tretinoin cream use.
How does tretinoin work?
Tretinoin works by speeding up your body’s production of new skin cells, letting you replace old skin with new skin faster. As well as anti-aging, it’s also widely used as a topical acne treatment.
What is the best anti aging medication?
One of the more effective and affordable anti-aging medications available today is tretinoin -- a topical retinoid that can reduce the visibility of wrinkles, liver spots, skin discoloration and other signs of aging.
How long does it take for tretinoin to heal?
If you have lasting dryness, peeling or other side effects after starting tretinoin that don’t heal on their own after two to three months, the best option is to talk to your dermatologist about using a lower concentration of tretinoin.
How long does tretinoin last?
They rarely last for longer than two months and almost always resolve on their own, meaning there’s usually no reason to be concerned.
What is the process of replacing old skin cells with new ones?
Skin cell turnover is the biological process through which your body replaces old skin cells with new ones.
How long does it take to notice the benefits of retinol?
If this is the case, don’t give up on your Retin-A routine. “It typically takes a good six months of regular use to notice the benefits of using a retinoid,” says Dr. Lamel. So stick to these Retin-A tricks for the first few months, to keep irritation low and benefits high. You’ll be happy you did.
What to use to remove retinoids from skin?
Soaps and skin-care products with detergents or alcohol, such as certain toners, can strip the skin of its natural oils and moisture, making it more susceptible to irritating ingredients. Because retinoids already leave the skin vulnerable to drying out and flaking, it is important to avoid additional steps that will further dehydrate your complexion. “Use gentle soap substitutes, like the Dove Beauty Bar
7] or Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser [$10], which will cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils and moisture,” says Dr. King.
Why is it important to use emollients?
Because of this, skin becomes vulnerable to dryness, so it’s important to use emollients to help prevent an excess loss of moisture and ease irritation.
Does retinol help with acne?
While many are drawn to Retin-A for its uncanny ability to smooth wrinkles, diminish dark spots and discoloration, and reduce pimples and acne, this powerful exfoliant can be ultra-irritating. So in an effort to ensure you see only positive results from your retinoid use, we spoke to two dermatologists about how to use tretinoin.
Can you use Retin A before?
If you’ve never used Retin-A before, you probably don’t know how your skin will react to it. It’s better to play it safe and start with a thin layer (a pea-sized amount should be enough) of a lower-strength product, to prevent a potential skin freak-out. “Retin-A and other topical retinoids come in many different strengths and formulations,” explains New York City dermatologist Dr. Hadley Claire King. “Higher strengths can potentially be more irritating, and different formulations have different bases that can be more moisturizing or more drying.” A gel, for example, can be more drying than a cream, so reaching for a cream-based retin-A is advised if your skin is on the sensitive side. Retin-A is also available in concentrations ranging from 0.025% to 0.1%, so experimenting with a lower-level strength (within the 0.025% to 0.05% range) will lower your risk of developing skin irritation.
Is retinol good for skin?
Among skin care experts, retinol is known as the holy grail of complexion-boosting, anti-aging products. The vitamin A derivative aids in collagen production and cell turnover, helping bring forth new skin cells to reveal a healthier, glowier look, with a reduced appearance of fine lines. But in a cruel twist of fate, ...
Can you use beta hydroxy acids with retinol?
While we love alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) for their exfoliating abilities, you should proceed with caution when combining these ingredients with Retin-A. “Some exfoliants and cleansers, such as AHAs and BHAs, can make the side effects of retinoids worse as they can compound cellular turnover,” says Dr. Lamel. “It’s best to see how your skin tolerates the retinoid before introducing these.” Dr. King points out that it’s OK to use these AHAs or BHAs along with your retinoid, if you’ve experimented with them and your skin tolerates it—but make the application times different. “Use [AHAs or BHAs] in the mornings and use the retinoid at bedtime,” she asserts.
