Retin-A
Pronunciation: Ret-in-A
Generic Name: Tretinoin
What causes pimples?
At puberty, the oil glands of the skin start producing an oily material called sebum. Sebum lubricates the skin. Sometimes the wall of the oil gland breaks and the sebum within the skin which causes redness, swelling, and pus - in other words a pimple. Plugged oil glands may form blackheads and whiteheads . Blackheads are not caused by dirt.
There is a bacteria that normally lives on the skin called Propionibacterium acnes. This bacteria lives on the sebum produced by the skin oil glands. Sometimes, this bacteria multiplies and causes inflammation and acne.
Retin-A Micro can help
The active ingredient in Retin-A Micro is called tretinoin. Tretinoin is derived from Vitamin A. This vitamin A derivative is thought to loosen and expel existing acne plugs and prevent new ones from forming.
Before we tell you what Retin-A is, let us tell you what Retin-A is not.
- Retin-A is not Oxy10
- Retin-A cream is not Proactiv
- Retin-A is not ZapZyt
- The medication in Retin-A is not BenzaClin
- Retin-A prescription medicine is not Stri-Dex
- Retin-A is not Differin
What Retin-A is, however, is a cream that is completely different, and it's clinically proven to help acne. . . Retin-A is FDA approved.
RETIN-A COMMON USES
Retin-A contains the skin medication tretinoin. Retin-A is used in the treatment of acne.
RETIN-A DIRECTIONS
While using Retin-A, keep exposure to sunlight, including sunlamps, to a minimum. If you have a sunburn, do not use the medication until you have fully recovered. Use of sunscreen products (at least SPF 15) and protective clothing overtreated areas is recommended when exposure to the sun cannot be avoided.
Weather extremes, such as wind and cold, may be irritating and should also be avoided while using these products.
Retin-A should be applied once a day, at bedtime, tothe skin where acne appears, using enough to lightly cover the affected area. The liquid form may be applied using a fingertip, gauze pad, or cotton swab. If you use gauze or cotton, avoid over saturation, which might cause the liquid to run into areas where treatment is not intended.
You may use cosmetics while being treated with these products; however, you should
thoroughly cleanse the areas to be treated before applying the medication.
If your skin becomes too dry, you may want to use petroleum jelly or another emollient during the day.
If there is no immediate improvement, or new blemishes appear, don't get discouraged; it takes weeks for the medicine to take effect. Continue applying the prescribed amount. (Do not increase the dosage; it may irritate your skin.)
Do not stop treatment when improvement finally occurs. You must continue therapy to maintain the beneficial effect.
If you
miss a dose... Resume your regular schedule the next day.
Storage instructions... Store at ordinary room temperature. Do not freeze Renova.
RETIN-A CAUTIONS
If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to either of these products, avoid using them.
The safety and effectiveness of long-term use of Retin-A in the treatment of disorders other than acne have not been established.
The safety and effectiveness of Renova have not been established in children under age 18, adults over age 50, and people
with heavily pigmented skin, nor in periods of greater than 48 weeks of daily use.
Be sure to keep these products away from the eyes, mouth, angles of the nose, and mucous membranes.
The medication may cause a brief feeling of warmth or slightstinging when applied. If it causes an abnormal irritation, redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin, notify your doctor. He may suggest that you use the medication less frequently, discontinue use temporarily, or discontinue use altogether. If a severe sensitivity reaction or chemical
irritation occurs, you will probably need to stop using the drug.
If you have eczema (skin inflammation consisting of itching and smallblisters that ooze and crust over) or other chronic skin conditions, use these products with extreme caution, as they may cause severe irritation.
During the early weeks of acne therapy, a worsening of the condition may occur due to the action of Retin-A on deep, previously unseen areas of inflammation. This isnot a reason to discontinue therapy, but do notify your doctor if it occurs.
Retin-A gel is
flammable and should be kept away from heat and flame.
If these medications are used with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Retin-A with the following:
Preparations containing benzoyl peroxide, such as Benzac AC Wash 5, Benzshave Desquam-E, PanOxyl
Preparations containing sulfur (ointments and other preparations used to treat skin disorders and infections)
Resorcinol (a drug, used in ointments to treat
acne, that causes skin to peel)
Salicylic acid (a drug that kills bacteria and fungi and causes skin to peel)
"Resting" your skin is recommended between use of the above preparations and treatment with Retin-A.
Caution should be exercised when using Retin-A in combination with other topical medications, medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have a strong drying effect, products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, or lime (especiallythe peel), permanent wave solutions,
electrolysis, hair depilatories or waxes, or other preparations that may dry or irritate the skin.
If you have sensitive skin, the use of Avita orRetin-A may cause your skin to become excessively red, puffy, blistered, or crusted. If this happens, notify your doctor, who may recommend that you discontinue the medication until your skin returns to normal, or adjust the medication to a level that you can tolerate.
An unusual darkening of the skin or lack of color of the skin may occur temporarily with repeated application of Retin-A.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, do not use these products. It is not known whether the drug appears in breast milk. Use with caution when breastfeeding.
RETIN-A
Apply once a day at bedtime.
You should begin to notice results after 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. More than 6 or 7 weeks of treatment are needed before consistent beneficial effects appear.
Once acne has responded satisfactorily, it may be possible to maintain the improvement with less frequent applications or other dosage forms. However,any
change in formulation, drug concentration, or dose frequency should be closely monitored by your doctor to determine your tolerance and response.
Applying Retin-A excessively will not produce faster or better results, and marked redness, peeling, or discomfort could occur.
Mens Health
