Tretinoin

What is Tretinoin cream?

Tretinoin is a prescription-strength topical skincare medication derived from Vitamin A, belonging to a class of medicines known as retinoids. It is used primarily to treat acne vulgaris and rejuvenate skin cells by accelerating the turnover of keratinocytes. As an incredibly effective treatment, topical tretinoin has become increasingly popular due to its excellent results in clearing breakouts and promoting a smoother complexion.

What is Ketrel?

Tretinoin is also available under the brand name Ketrel. When you buy tretinoin cream UK from UK Meds, you may receive your medication in the form of Ketrel cream (0.05%). For those looking to buy ketrel cream UK, it contains the exact same active ingredient (ketrel tretinoin) and provides the identical clinical benefits as generic tretinoin.

What does Tretinoin treat?

Tretinoin is used to help treat stubborn acne by breaking down comedones (whiteheads and blackheads) and preventing new ones from forming. It also repairs sun-damaged skin, reversing signs of premature photoaging. People often ask, does tretinoin help with wrinkles? Yes, as well as treating acne, it is widely prescribed for off-label cosmetic uses to help the appearance of surface wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.

Patients also frequently wonder, does tretinoin work on acne scars or does tretinoin lighten skin? It is highly effective at fading hyperpigmentation, melasma, dark spots, and flat acne scars by replacing older, discoloured skin cells with fresh ones, leaving users with an even, smoother skin tone.

How does Tretinoin work?

Tretinoin works by speeding up the life cycle of your skin cells. As a synthetic version of vitamin A, it gently irritates the skin to the point where it makes a skin cell divide faster and die quicker. This rapid process forces blocked pores to clear out and speeds up you getting fresh, new skin cells. These new cells are healthier and will reduce the appearance of acne. Tretinoin also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and stimulates collagen and elastin in the deeper layers of the skin, which leads to a firmer, smoother-looking surface.

Google Web Story: What to Expect When Taking Tretinoin?

UK Meds created the below Google Web Story to explain what to expect when using Tretinoin cream:

How do you use Tretinoin cream?

Learning how to use tretinoin correctly is the most important step in minimizing irritation. Because it is a potent medication, you must follow the correct application method. Here are the easy-to-follow steps on how to apply tretinoin cream safely:

1. Cleanse gently: Ensure your face is clean and you are not wearing any makeup. Wash your face gently with a mild cleanser.
2. Wait to dry: This is a crucial safety step. Let your face dry completely for 20 to 30 minutes before applying. Applying tretinoin to damp skin significantly increases absorption and can cause severe burning and irritation.
3. Use a pea-sized amount: Squeeze no more than a pea-sized amount of the 0.05 tretinoin cream onto your fingertips. This is enough for your entire face.
4. Where to apply tretinoin: Gently rub the cream into the areas of the face that need it most, avoiding the delicate skin around your eyes, nostrils, and mucous membranes.
5. Apply once daily: Apply generally before bed, as sunlight breaks down the active ingredient.
6. Moisturise: Follow up with a gentle moisturiser to protect your skin barrier. Avoid using large amounts of the tretinoin cream as this will only irritate the skin further, not speed up results.

Important Skincare Interactions: While using prescription tretinoin, avoid using other harsh active ingredients like AHAs (glycolic acid), BHAs (salicylic acid), Vitamin C, astringents, abrasive scrubs, and facial hair removal methods (waxing/electrolysis), as these will destroy your skin barrier.

What is the correct dosage of Tretinoin?

At UK Meds, Tretinoin cream is available in a standard strength of 0.05%. Apply the 0.05 tretinoin cream to the affected area(s) of your skin once a day, preferably at bedtime. Please note that your specific prescribed dose may differ from the average doses, and you should not change your application frequency unless explicitly instructed to do so by your healthcare provider.

Who cannot use Tretinoin?

Because it is a strong medical treatment, it is not suitable for everyone. Do not use Tretinoin if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as retinoids can potentially harm an unborn baby. It is typically not prescribed for children under 12. If you suffer from severe eczema or rosacea, inform your prescriber before you order tretinoin, as it may exacerbate these conditions.

Tips for taking Tretinoin

Tretinoin can seem slightly daunting when you begin because of the purge phase. Here are a few tips to ensure you stick with it:

• Use suncream: Tretinoin use can make your skin very sensitive to extremes of climate, particularly sunlight. It is highly recommended that you use a high-SPF sun cream when outdoors to avoid sun damage.
• Take photos to track progress: Throughout the process, you may wish to take photos regularly to monitor your progress. This gives you something to look back on to see where you were before and after using the cream.
• Stick with it: When going through the purge phase, people may be tempted to quit using Tretinoin altogether. It is important that you stick with your treatment, as you will only begin to experience its true benefits after this phase.
• Do your research: Know about the possible side effects. If you know what to expect before the cream even touches your skin, you are much more likely to stick with it.

What side effects can Tretinoin have?

As with all prescription medications, there is a chance that you may experience some side effects when you use Tretinoin. These side effects are all to be expected when you first start using the medication, and positive results are usually expected around 3-4 months after starting.

A pharmacist's overview of the side effects of this medication and how to manage them:

Senior Specialist Pharmacist, Dania Al-Zarrad, provides a simple explanation of the common side effects of the medication and how you can manage them: "Can cause skin irritation, dryness and peeling, with photosensitivity as a serious effect; use sunscreen and start with low concentration."

What is the Tretinoin purge and how long does it last?

The Tretinoin ‘purge’ is a phase of treatment where your skin will seemingly worsen. You may become concerned at this point, but this is completely normal and is part of the process of rejuvenating your skin. The purge occurs as the medication rapidly exfoliates the skin, which brings out hidden or dormant acne to the surface. How long does tretinoin purging last? This stage will last for different lengths of time for different people, usually between 2 to 6 weeks. Once this phase has cycled through your old damaged skin cells, the cream works to create healthy new cells.

How long does Tretinoin take to work?

The amount of time it takes to see clear results will vary from person to person. Usually, you will notice a distinct improvement in your skin conditions around three to four months after you begin treatment. In general, it is recommended that people use Tretinoin for up to six months so that they can get through the initial ‘purge’ phase and see the full benefits. After the purge period is over, people report that their skin is the best it ever has been. Some people even use Tretinoin as part of their ongoing skincare routine.

Tretinoin has become an increasingly popular treatment for a number of different conditions. It provides users with many benefits including the opening and unclogging of pores, the clearance of stubborn and chronic acne, the general improvement of wrinkles and skin texture, and the reduction of new acne forming. The long-term benefits of Tretinoin will far outweigh the short-term drawbacks of the purge.

Is Tretinoin a Retinoid? What’s the difference between Tretinoin and Retinol?

Yes, Tretinoin is a retinoid. People often ask, is retinol the same as tretinoin? While they are both derivatives of Vitamin A used to improve the health of the skin, they are very different in strength. Tretinoin is pure retinoic acid; a stronger, prescription-only medication. Retinol, on the other hand, is an over-the-counter skin treatment. Retinol must be converted by your skin into retinoic acid, making it of a lower strength than Tretinoin. It is less likely to cause ‘purge’ like side effects, but this does mean it has slower, less dramatic benefits.

UK Meds have put together a Google Web Story summarising how the acne treatments Tretinoin and Retinol compare. Take a look at it below:

Interested in finding out more? Read our blog 'Tretinoin vs Retinol'.

Differin vs Tretinoin: Is Differin Tretinoin?

Is Differin tretinoin? No. Differin is the brand name for a different synthetic retinoid called Adapalene. When looking at Differin vs Tretinoin, both are excellent topical treatments. However, Differin is generally seen as slightly gentler and more targeted strictly for acne, whereas Tretinoin is viewed as the broader gold standard for both severe acne and anti-aging.

It is important to note that people may have different experiences when they use Tretinoin. If you believe that Tretinoin is the right medication for you then the best thing to do is give it a try, get through the purge phase, and judge the medication based on your own experiences. Reading reviews can provide you with important advice and inform you on whether or not to start using Tretinoin.

Here are some real reviews from genuine users of Tretinoin:

“This is the best my face has been in more than a decade. I'd highly recommend.”

"I have to say the skin that's left looks amazing-so smooth.”

"I have been using Tretinoin cream for 24 years. After 'decades' of use, I consider it a miracle cream. I started at 36. I'm now 60 and have the skin texture (porcelain-like) of a 20-something."

"After about only 3 and a half weeks of using it, I couldn't be more pleased. My scars have significantly faded, I have 0 pimples. My face looks amazing. I can literally walk around without makeup."

To read more reviews from Tretinoin users, please check out drugs.com.

Check out these top independent tretinoin user experiences below.

UK Meds have answered some of the most common questions that our customers ask us about Tretinoin below:

Is Tretinoin worth it?

Yes, the results that you can get from using Tretinoin make it highly worth it, especially if you have been struggling with your acne for long periods of time. It can be hard for people to look ahead when they are in the skin purge phase. It is important that you stick with your medication, as the general consensus is that the long-term clear skin results you experience will be worth it.

Does Tretinoin expire?

Yes, like all medications, tretinoin does expire. Always check the expiration date on the crimp of your tube. Using expired tretinoin may not harm you, but the active ingredient degrades over time, meaning it will lose its effectiveness.

How do you pronounce Tretinoin?

Tretinoin is pronounced - tre-ti-no-win - in British English.

Where can you buy Tretinoin in the UK?

Many patients wonder, why is tretinoin not available in the UK over the counter? Because it is a potent clinical medication, a tretinoin prescription is strictly required to ensure patient safety. However, you can safely and conveniently buy tretinoin cream online in the UK through responsible online prescription services like UK Meds.

How much does Tretinoin cream cost?

When considering where to purchase tretinoin cream, patients frequently ask about the tretinoin cream cost. At UK Meds, an established tretinoin online prescription service, the tretinoin cream price is fully inclusive of your private online consultation and prescription generation. We supply Ketrel (0.05%), widely considered to be one of the best tretinoin cream UK options available for targeting acne and photoaging.

Can you get Tretinoin from Boots?

At the time of writing, prescription tretinoin cream is not available to purchase directly over the counter at Boots. To save time, you can complete a quick online consultation and purchase it directly through an online prescription service like UK Meds for fast delivery.

Can you get Tretinoin from Amazon?

No, you cannot get Tretinoin from Amazon. Because a tretinoin prescription UK is legally required, it is strictly restricted from sale on general retail sites like Amazon. It must be dispensed by a registered pharmacy.

Can you get Tretinoin from Superdrug?

Currently, Tretinoin cream is not available for standard purchase at Superdrug. Should you wish to start your treatment quickly and securely, you can order tretinoin cream online via the UK Meds prescribing service.

Where can you buy Tretinoin online?

You can purchase tretinoin cream, or discuss a tretinoin gel UK alternative, online from UK Meds. Simply select your treatment, complete a short consultation so that our team can ensure it is right for you, select your delivery method, and then sit back and relax whilst we handle the prescription and dispatch!

• Acne Treatment - NHS
• Tretinoin (Specialist Drug) - BNF
• Tretinoin for Acne - Patient.info