Trying Tretinoin for Acne: Week 7 - “Blind Pimple” Care

If you’ve been following along you’ll know the tretinoin purge begins around week 3 for me. But this week 7 purge is a bit different. 

In this update, I’m going to talk about my experience with the tretinoin purge so far and how I’ve been dealing with purge pimples. 

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The “the tretinoin purge” is real

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I’ve searched high and low for clinical information on “the tretinoin purge” but all I could find was anecdotal personal accounts on tretinoin forums (some of which are a little scary). But nothing clinical that could really explain what to expect.

This might be because not everyone experiences the purge, and those who do, experience various severities. 

The basics of “the purge” is your skin might get worse before it gets better. This is likely because tretinoin is helping to clear out your pores. So, this might result in new blemishes for roughly the first 6 weeks (of regular use).  

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Read more: The Tretinoin Purge: It May Get Worse Before It Gets Amazing 

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Since trying tretinoin myself, my understanding of the purge has definitely expanded. I’ve personally found that there are a few levels to purging: a “surface purge” and a “deep skin purge.” 

Around week 3 I had a lot of fast resolving pimples pop up which felt like a “surface purge.” 

Now, during week 7, pimples are fewer in frequency but mightier in general.

These pimples are far bigger and are coming from deep within the skin. Often these pimples never come to a head and would be considered “blind pimples.” 

These are a little less notable than the surface level purges since they are below the skin. But, I definitely notice them as they are a little bit tender until they resolve. 

Use frequency during tretinoin week 7 

While yes, I’ve been using tretinoin for 7 weeks, I wouldn’t say I’ve been using it regularly for 7 weeks.

This is because I’ve got to account for the “acclimation” period where I was using tretinoin sparingly. 

I’d say I started regularly using tretinoin around week 3 or 4. Until then I was taking things slow (as should everyone). 

Now that I’ve been using tretinoin to some degree for 7 weeks, I use it about every other day or three days in a row with one day break in between.  

When you try tretinoin for yourself, make sure to listen to your skin and take it as slow as you need to. I have pretty resilient skin, and wouldn’t classify my skin as sensitive. 

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Pimple care 101 while using tretinoin

Since starting tretinoin, I’ve had to be a little more careful with how I treat my breakouts.

When I get a pimple I try not to poke and prod (unless it’s right on the surface, then it’s fair game.)

Acne report tretinoin week 7: ‍

Blind pimple mania. At any given time this week, I had about 4 deep-seated “blind pimples.” Some of which came to a head eventually but others just resolved themselves. 

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Read more: How To Get Rid of Blind Pimples

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Here are a few tips on how to take care of purge pimples while on tretinoin:

• Be gentle! Don’t dig at your pimples. You don’t want to irritate or inflame your skin further. 
  

• Try soothing and healing products like organic aloe vera gel.
  

• Roll out inflamed skin with an ice roller. Ah! Feels so great if your skin is a little angry at you.
  

• Using hyaluronic acid may help your skin heal blemishes faster.
  

• Pimple stickers to the rescue! These are a “tretinoin purge” must have to be honest. Pimple stickers are small hydrocolloid patches you can place on pimples that can help drain pimples and may help heal the skin. They also act as a barrier to help stop you from picking. 

Trying Tretinoin: a retinoid field guide 

Prescription retinoids can feel a little daunting for newbies (and I understand). This is exactly why I’ve been writing weekly updates on my tretinoin experience -- so you know what to expect. 

I’ve been using the compounded Strut Anti-Aging Formula, filled by a U.S. licensed pharmacy, containing 0.05% tretinoin, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.* 

I am acne-prone and hoping to control breakouts, and brighten my skin and acne marks. If you are in a similar situation, keep up to date with the rest of the series: 

Week 1 Trying Tretinoin Series

Week 2 Trying Tretinoin Series

Week 3 Trying Tretinoin Series

Week 4 Trying Tretinoin Series

Week 5 Trying Tretinoin Series

Week 6 Trying Tretinoin Series

Week 7 Trying Tretinoin Series

Week 8 Trying Tretinoin Series

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Want to try tretinoin for yourself? Get tretinoin from healthcare providers online.

Strut Health makes prescription skincare easy. 

If you want to try tretinoin for yourself simply select a product that best fits with your skin concerns and complete a questionnaire-based online provider's consultation.

If our providers find you’re a good fit for our formulas, we’ll ship your prescription right to you. 

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