No hype info about treating acne with Retin-A.
Retin-A – Can a non-antibiotic stop acne?
Retin-A is the generic name for the topical, prescription medication tretinoin. It is traditionally used to treat fine lines, wrinkles, skin discoloration (including light acne scars) and acne itself. It is usually, but not exclusively, prescribed to adults.
Retin-A is derived from vitamin A, and it is for topical use only. It works by causing the skin to renew itself faster. This minimizes clogged pores from occurring, because the clog simply won’t have enough time to build up.
No clog, no acne bacteria, no acne.
But this is not some unproven statement by a fly-by-night company. The good news about Retin-A is that it has been approved for skin treatment by the FDA since the 1970’s, and there are plenty of studies and tests that prove Retin-A does work to treat acne vulgaris.
So if you are looking to see how effective Retin-A is…rest assured, it does work well to help acne in most mild to moderate cases.
However, it is not without some side effects.
The biggest issue is that it causes increased sun sensitivity. UV lights and direct sunlight should be avoided, because the skin will burn much faster than normal. If a sunburn would take 2 hours to occur, it may now occur in as little as 20 minutes. Of course, each person’s skin will be affected differently, this is the biggest side effect.
Also, pregnant women should consult a doctor before using Retin-A. It is still unknown if Retin-A can cause birth defects. It is known that the drug can pass through breast milk, and is probably best avoided altogether while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Also, DO NOT use other topical acne treatments unless specifically advised by a doctor to do so. Retin-A does not mix well with anything that can irritate the skin. Shampoo, harsh cleansers, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and certain prescription medications should all be avoided. Consult a doctor regarding the details.
Last but not least, a small percentage of people are allergic to Retin-A.
This should all be considered before using retin-A.
However, of all the prescription acne medications available, this one is one of the best. It has relatively less side effects than accutane, and can often work very well for light to moderate acne.