Retinoid
Treatment and Your Skin
Since the first retinoid was approved for
acne in
1971, these drugs have been hailed by many as a cure-all for
skin problems.
Although retinoid may not be the answer to every skin condition, there are
several with proven results.
Retinoid for Acne
If you have moderate to severe acne that hasn't gotten
better with other treatments, a retinoid may help. When spread on the skin,
retinoid can unclog pores, allowing other medicated creams and gels to work
better. They also reduce acne outbreaks by preventing dead cells from clogging pores.
By clearing acne and reducing outbreaks, they may also reduce the formation of
acne scars.
Retinoid pills treat oil production, bacteria that
cause acne, and inflammation.
How to use: Smooth
a retinoid cream over the skin once a day 20 to 30 minutes after washing your
face.
What else you need to know: When you first use retinoid, you
may notice redness, peeling of your skin, or worsening of your acne. You can
minimize this by using the product every other day until your body gets used to
it.
For Wrinkles
Tretinoin increasing
was the first retinoid approved by the FDA to treat wrinkles. This
prescription retinoid works by the making of new collagen. It also stimulates
new
blood vessels
in the skin, giving skin a rosy appearance, fading age spots, and reducing
precancerous skin spots called actinic keratosis. Tretinoin also may help
prevent more serious effects of ultraviolet radiation.
Over-the-counter retinoid may not work as well as
tretinoin in reducing wrinkles, but they can improve the appearance of sun-damaged
skin. Using them along with products that have alpha-hydroxy acids may provide
even more skin-smoothing effects.
How
to use: Apply to your face, neck, chest, hands, and
forearms at least twice a week.
What
else you need to know: It takes 3 to 6 months of regular use before improvements in wrinkles
are seen, with best results happening after 6 to 12 months.
Retinoid for Psoriasis
Retinoid can slow the growth of skin cells in patients
with
psoriasis.
Usually, you apply a small dab to each sore once a day before bed. A retinoid
cream or gel is often combined with steroid treatment.
Retinoid for Warts
Doctors may prescribe retinoid for
warts,
particularly when other treatments have failed. Retinoid cream works by
disrupting the wart's cell growth.
How to use: Follow your doctor's instructions for applying retinoid to warts.
Creams may need to be used for a few months before warts disappear.
What else you should know: Retinoid may be the best treatment for flat warts on the back of
your hands.
Side Effects and Precautions
Although retinoids are helpful
for many common skin problems, they are not without risks. Risks include:
Dryness and irritation
·
Skin color changes
Sensitivity to sunlight
·
Redness, swelling,
crusting, or blistering
How to Minimize Risks
·
Stay out of the sun.
If you must be outdoors, limit your hours, especially between 10 a.m. and 2
p.m. Wear sunscreen,
preferably with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and protective
clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and a large-brimmed hat.
·
Never use more of the
product or use it more frequently than your doctor prescribes or the package
label says. Doing so will not increase its effectiveness, but will increase
side effects.
·
Use a moisturizer
along with topical retinoid. Doing so will reduce skin drying without
interfering with the product's effectiveness.
Pregnant women
or women who are planning on becoming pregnant should not use retinoid.
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