Should I Use Tretinoin Every Night? How To Schedule Your Tretinoin Application

Tretinoin can be used for acne, fine lines, dark spots, and rough skin, making this retinoid a serious beauty multi-tasker.

So, this might lead some to rush out and get their hands on a tube, just to slather it on every night.

Sounds good right?

Well, it turns out that a slow start may help your skin adjust to Tretinoin.

Read on to learn more about how Tretinoin affects your skin when you start using it, and why a slow build-up may be your best option.

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What does Tretinoin do for your skin?

Some people are able to use Tretinoin every night right from the start.

But, for a lot of initial Tretinoin users, the first few weeks can be a little rough and come along with retinoid side effects.

Tretinoin works by increasing your skin cell turnover, meaning that more blooming pimples are being pushed out and showing themselves, layers of old dead skin cells may be piling up looking flakey, and your skin feels raw and irritated from the burst of sloughing cells.

Basically, it may look like you have made a terrible mistake starting treatment.

These symptoms are common side effects as your skin adjusts, so talk to your prescriber if they are severe or don't settle.

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How to applying Tretinoin correctly

First, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and allow skin to dry thoroughly at least 20-30 minutes. (Wet skin leads to increased medication penetration and more potential for side effects.)

Start by applying a pea-sized amount of your Tretinoin prescription by dotting an equal amount all around your face, avoiding your eyes and lips.

Then, rub in your Tretinoin for a few seconds before giving the cream, gel, or lotion 20 minutes to fully absorb.

Finally, after 20 minutes, finish your application off with a generous amount of gentle moisturizer to keep everything hydrated and calm.

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Increasing Tretinoin usage slowly

If all of the skin adjustments for the first few weeks a treatment are scaring you a little bit, and you don’t want to plan for a “bad skin” period, you can start slow and ramp up over time to help reduce the side effects.

After your first day of treatment, skip one or two days so that you are only applying the Tretinoin every second or third day.

After 1-2 weeks of this schedule, take a look at how your skin is reacting, if it seems to be tolerating the dose well, you can start using the cream every other or every day.

Basically, slowly increase how often you are using your Tretinoin dose until you are using it every night.

If your skin seems to never be able to tolerate every night, that is ok too.

Just stick to the frequency that keeps your skin from getting too irritated, even if it is every other or every third night.

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Listen to and protect your skin during treatment

Starting Tretinoin is an adjustment period for your skin, so be extra gentle with it during this time.

Be sure to apply a gentle moisturizer to your face after your Tretinoin dose has had 20 minutes to absorb, and also apply moisturizer throughout the day as needed to make your skin feel hydrated and calm.

Tretinoin can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun, and more prone to burning.

So, even if you are normally a tan beach bunny that can get away with little to no sunscreen, it is time to start using it daily.

Sunscreen can help protect your skin from increased burning while using Tretinoin, which may also help reduce irritation.

Plus, if you are using Tretinoin to help with fine lines and signs of aging, you should already be using a daily sunscreen!

Opt for at least SPF 30 each day, even if you aren’t planning on being out in the sun.

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Take breaks if you need to

Some people may have a pretty intense reaction to Tretinoin when first trying it out.

If this happens to you, it is ok to stop treatment for a while and let everything calm down before trying it again.

When you go to try out Tretinoin again later; go slower, use lots of moisturizer, or see if your healthcare provider can lower the strength you are using to get fewer side effects.

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Should I use Tretinoin every night?: Bottom Line

• Some people use Tretinoin every night, if their prescriber recommends it.
• But, you may want to start out applying every 2-3 nights to help reduce any irritation and side effects while adjusting to the medication.
• Skin irritation with Tretinoin tends to taper off after the first few weeks.
• Start slow and increase your use frequency after 1-2 weeks of your skin tolerating your current usage.
• Use plenty of Tretinoin-friendly moisturizer as needed, plus sunscreen daily to help keep your skin calm.
• Take breaks from treatment if you need to, and if the irritation is too much even with going slow, speak with your healthcare provider about a lower Tretinoin strength.
• Listen to your skin and go at your own pace when starting on Tretinoin.

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StrutHealth.com For Tretinoin Treatments Online

Here at Strut Health, we love Tretinoin for a wide variety of skincare concerns.

Our Acne Formula, Acne Scar Formula, and Anti-Aging Formula all have Tretinoin as an active ingredient.

Tretinoin is a prescription-only medication, so if you want to see if this treatment is right for your skincare routine, you can have a free online questionnaire-based consultation with our U.S. licensed providers.

Once your prescription is issued, a U.S. compounding pharmacy will make your medication and your treatment will be shipped to your front door with our free shipping.

*Compounded drug products are not approved or evaluated for safety, effectiveness, or quality by the FDA. Rx required.