No matter how severe the acne is, managing it is a difficult process. The fact that so many businesses and brands promote “solutions” and goods that aren’t all they’re cracked up to be doesn’t help. After investing time and money in treatments, we are left with recurrent acne and dry, sensitive skin.
On the plus side, some treatments have been scientifically confirmed to work, so your acne can start to go away. These treatments take a comprehensive approach, addressing every stage of the acne cycle for lasting effects.
In this post, we focus on one specific chemical and explain how it eliminates acne from your life. Without further ado, let’s talk about Retin A Cream as an acne treatment.
Retin A Cream for Acne: What Is It?
Since the late 1960s, Retin A has been one of the most widely used topical acne treatments available. A doctor or dermatologist must prescribe Retin A. It is applied as a dab of cream, gel, or liquid to the affected areas.
Your doctor may recommend Retin A as an alternative to more disruptive oral medications like Accutane or the contraceptive pill, depending on the severity and underlying cause of your acne.
Let’s discuss the name in more detail. All retinoids are produced from Vitamin A, which is denoted by the letter “A.” Retinol, another term for Vitamin A, is where the word “retin” comes from. Retin A is the brand name for the potent vitamin A skin treatment tretinoin, which is also known as Retin A in the medical community.
What Is Acne, Exactly?
Let’s review what acne is and how it develops before we examine how Retin A Cream 0.025 treatment can reduce acne.
The following things happen to your skin before and during an acne outbreak:
- The hair follicle fills up with sebum and dead skin cells.
- At the apex of the follicle, dead skin cells collect.
- Sebum accumulates in the follicle and is unable to exit.
- A pustule or pimple on the skin is caused by accumulated sebum and dead skin cells.
- Due to the accumulation of dead skin cells and sebum, the bacteria found in the clogged follicle thrive and multiply above normal levels.
- Sebum and germs that have accumulated on the skin might occasionally infect it more deeply and widely. This is what results in painful, pressure-filled whiteheads and cystic acne scars.
What Are the Causes of Acne in People?
Oh, to be so blessed! Some people are fortunate enough to remain acne-free throughout their lives. On the other hand, 50 million Americans suffer from acne.
When you were a teenager, you could have been informed that acne is brought on by a poor diet high in sugar and fat. While nutrition undoubtedly plays a role in the development and management of acne, it is not the complete picture. Thankfully, research and current medical recommendations have disproved the harmful notion that acne can simply be cleared up by eating healthier. In other words, you are not to blame for having acne.
Hormonal fluctuations are one of the most frequent causes of acne, which explains why teenage girls are particularly susceptible. During puberty, androgen testosterone levels skyrocket, resulting in the greasy teen glow and pimples on the cheeks, forehead, and jaw.
Acne, however, doesn’t just affect teenagers. Adult acne is prevalent, particularly in women. This is because our sebum production is significantly impacted by the hormones that fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Birth control pills are frequently given as an acne treatment because they manage the hormones that cause acne, which reduces sebum production and results in dependably clear skin.
The Function of Retin A Cream
Topical retin A 0.05 treatments are often administered gently to the skin at night to lessen sun exposure-related negative effects.
But once applied to the skin, how does tretinoin function? What does it do, and what can we anticipate?
Things start to become intriguing at this point. Why? because Retin A (tretinoin) causes skin irritation.
In essence, it acts as a highly potent chemical exfoliator. This explains why it causes tingling, dryness, and skin to peel (as we discuss further below). Breathe in; it’s not as scary as it sounds! In actuality, the technique is very complicated. This is how it goes:
- Your skin becomes irritated by Retin A, which causes the skin cells to age, renew, and grow more quickly. (Skin cell turnover also contributes to retinol’s effectiveness as an anti-aging component.)
- The skin layers on the face are thinner thanks to the removal of old cells, allowing the pores and follicles to breathe.
- Less skin tissue and a decrease in dead cells stop follicle-clogging.
- Since the pores and follicles are clear, sebum may flow uniformly without piling up and producing pimples.
- Despite being an exfoliator and irritant, Retin A also contains anti-inflammatory qualities that eventually reduce acne-related redness.
How Can I Use Retin A to Treat Acne?
Before beginning a tretinoin regime, you must first consult a doctor. Discuss a treatment strategy for acne with your doctor that takes into account your skin type, way of life, and medical history. Once you’ve been given the all-clear to employ a retinol-based remedy, take into account these suggestions:
- Cleanse your skin with an acne-specific product, pat dry, and allow it to dry completely.
- Apply a small amount of the tretinoin or Retin A cream as directed, then wait for it to absorb completely.
- Apply an oil-free moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid to help the skin retain moisture and reduce excessive dryness.
- Cleanse and moisturize as usual the following day.
- Remember to apply sunscreen as well.
