Meet Tretinoin: The Only Medication Approved By The FDA To Treat Wrinkles (2023)

FAQs

Is tretinoin FDA approved for wrinkles? ›

In 1995, topical tretinoin was approved by the FDA for the palliation of fine wrinkles, mottled hyperpigmentation, and tactile roughness of facial photodamage. How Tretinoin Treats Wrinkles and Signs of Aging? As we get older, our bodies begin to produce new skin cells at a slower speed.

Tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage) is another type of retinoid that also comes in a cream or a gel, but is usually more expensive than tretinoin. In studies, it is as effective as tretinoin for photoaging and wrinkles but can cause more skin irritation.

Tretinoin has been proven to prevent, reduce, and treat wrinkles. It also helps to treat and prevent age spots. By stimulating collagen production in the skin, it strengthens the skin at a structural level, resulting in a more youthful appearance.

In addition, several over-the-counter products containing retinoids, such as retinol, are available. Because they're not as strong (and thus less irritating), they are not as effective in reducing wrinkles as tretinoin; but they do improve the appearance of photo-aged skin.

The only way to get this beloved medication, however, is through a dermatologist or doctor. Tretinoin is prescription-only.

On the whole, you should expect to see results from tretinoin after approximately three months of daily use, with more obvious and lasting results typically occurring from about six months to one year. It's important to remember that tretinoin is designed as a long-term treatment, not as a quick fix for wrinkles.

Tazarotene 0.1% cream was also found to produce results more quickly than tretinoin 0.05% cream in another study conducted in 173 patients with photodamaged facial skin. Tazarotene was found to better than tretinoin when: An overall integrated assessment of photodamage was made at week 16 of the study.

Adapalene and tretinoin are both effective options for treating acne. Some studies have shown that adapalene causes less irritation than tretinoin but that tretinoin might be more effective. But the results are mixed. Other studies have found the two medications are equally effective at improving acne.

Conclusions: Tazarotene 0.1% cream can offer superior efficacy over tretinoin 0.05% emollient cream in the treatment of facial photodamage, particularly with respect to the speed of improvement.

Tretinoin is STILL the gold standard in anti-aging skin care products. It won't help with sagging due to loss of fat and bone over the years though.

Can I use tretinoin for years? ›

Usually a minimum of two to six months are needed to see noticeable results. Tretinoin is also safe to use over the long term, with some studies examining the effects of tretinoin for as long as four years.

In Conclusion. Tretinoin is commonly used as a long-term treatment, whether for acne or anti-aging. Many studies show that tretinoin is most effective when used over a long period of time, especially for wrinkling and photoaging.

Tazarotene. The strongest of topical retinoids is tazarotene (also known as Tazorac), a retinoid that binds to both the beta and gamma retinoic acid receptors in the skin. It's used to address concerns such as acne, psoriasis, and photo damage of the skin.

So, should I use vitamin C or retinol for wrinkles? Well, when it comes right down to it, the choice is really in what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is incredible for the skin because of its ability to help brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, the best active ingredient for wrinkles is retinol.

Tretinoin (aka Retin-A) is an FDA-approved ingredient used to treat acne and anti-aging skin concerns. ¹ It's a potent vitamin A derivative, or retinoid. Dermatologists consider it the gold standard for treating breakouts and photoaging.

Tretinoin is considered to be the most widely used prescription retinoid treatment for wrinkles. It comes in the form of a gel. During use, you must wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin from sunburn and photoaging.

You can't purchase tretinoin over the counter - it's one of a few prescription retinoids on the market and getting your hands on some requires a visit with a board-certified dermatologist or other healthcare provider. Over-the-counter products tend to contain milder ingredients that have a lesser impact on your skin.

Do not use this medicine in or around the eyes or lips, or inside of the nose. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If it accidentally gets on these areas, wash with water at once. Before applying tretinoin, wash the skin with a mild soap or cleanser and warm water by using the tips of your fingers.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is especially important to avoid using the following skin products on the same area as tretinoin: Any other topical acne product or skin product containing a peeling agent (eg, benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or sulfur).

Your skin may become irritated.

During the first month or two, you may notice an increase in redness and acne. That's normal! Tretinoin speeds up cell death and renewal, and your skin needs time to adjust. These breakouts are temporary.

What is the strongest prescription tretinoin? ›

Tretinoin strengths

The strongest tretinoin available is 0.1%—that's 10 times stronger than the lowest percentage.

The Pros and Cons of Tretinoin

It increases cell turnover at your skin and prevents the clogging of pores that can lead to acne, blackheads, and other skin problems.

He suggests using a product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 29. “Someone using tretinoin (the generic name for Retin-A) would be crazy to go out in the sun without protection,” Voorhees says. “You could end up with more wrinkles than you would have had without Retin-A.”

“Rosehip seed oil is a great retinol alternative,” says Jaliman. “It's high in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E.”

A more recent study published in 2013 found that more than 50 percent of people experienced improvements in acne from tretinoin, even when it was applied for only 30 minutes per day.

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

Houshmand recommends RoC's Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, which is one of the highest-strength retinol you can get over the counter, meaning you may see its resurfacing effects sooner than with other products.

After 6-9 months of regular Tretinoin use, you may notice firmer, less saggy skin around the eyes and jawline and fewer wrinkles.

For fine wrinkling of the neck the use of 'wrinkle creams' can help firm and smooth the skin texture. Retinoids such as prescription tretinoin (Retin A) or a really good retinol such as my Retinol Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream.

For an especially crepey neck, your doctor may recommend: Prescription retinoids – Topicals like tretinoin or adapalene can trigger skin cell turnover, encourage production of collagen and elastin, and thicken skin below the outermost layer.

Tretinoin can cause serious side effects, including intense irritation, redness, burning sensation, itching, dryness, and skin flaking.

Can topical tretinoin cause liver damage? ›

Retinoids (Accutane and Tegison) are used clinically for the treatment of a variety of skin diseases. Since retinoids are analogs of vitamin A, their potential to produce liver disease is reviewed. Animal and human studies of liver function tests suggest some abnormalities in the liver in about 25% of patients treated.

Because retinoids help your skin make more collagen, they soften wrinkles and fine lines. They also stimulate new blood vessels, which can give your skin a rosy color. Retinoids also help fade age spots and smooth rough patches. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a popular prescription choice for aging skin.

A report in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology concluded that retinoids are “suitable as long-term medications, with no risk of inducing bacterial resistance.” Another study tested the safety of tretinoin cream over 52 weeks and found no problems.

Yes, tretinoin should be applied at night and washed off in the morning.

Usually tretinoin is applied at night so that it does not cause a problem with any other topical products that you might use during the day. Check with your doctor before using topical medicines with tretinoin. During the first 6 months of use, avoid overexposing the treated areas to sunlight, wind, or cold weather.

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream visibly reduces the look of lines and deep wrinkles on your face while you sleep. This anti aging cream, containing pure RoC Retinol, leaves skin feeling smooth and younger looking.

If you're looking for more-dramatic results, a dermatologist can recommend medical treatments for wrinkles, including prescription creams, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections or skin-resurfacing techniques.

Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.

Summary. Commonly reported side effects of tretinoin include: pleural effusion, dyspnea, edema, fever, hypotension, leukocytosis, weight gain, headache, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, increased liver enzymes, nausea, visual disturbance, and vomiting.

The cost for tretinoin topical topical cream 0.05% is around $35 for a supply of 20 grams, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Quoted prices are for cash-paying customers and are not valid with insurance plans. This price guide is based on using the Drugs.com discount card which is accepted at most U.S. pharmacies.

Why shouldn t you mix vitamin C and retinol? ›

Oils create a skin barrier, blocking the absorption of water-based products. Adding vitamin C (water-soluble) to retinol (oil-soluble) results in the non-absorption of vitamin C, thus no skin benefits. So, you see how mixing the two is a waste of skincare products, money, and time.

According to Dr. Sheila Krishna, it's totally fine to use vitamin C with over-the-counter retinol products or dermatologist-grade retinoids—which, BTW, is the broader term for vitamin A derivatives, including retinol, tretinoin, and adapalene, just to name a few.

The FDA also has approved botulinum toxin products such as Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau to treat facial wrinkles. These products are not dermal fillers. They are injectable drugs that work by keeping muscles from tightening, so the wrinkles don't show as much.

Prior Authorization is recommended for prescription benefit coverage of single-entity and combination topical tretinoin products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Daxxify, a new injected medicine for smoothing facial wrinkles in adults, which dermatologists see as the first major competitor to Botox to emerge in decades.

Retinoids. This term is used for vitamin A compounds, such as retinol and retinoic acid. These ingredients have long been used topically to help repair sun-damaged skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Most people stop taking tretinoin when their skin clears up or if it isn't working after trying it for a while. A dermatologist is the best person to ask about when to start or stop taking tretinoin.

You'll only get a tretinoin prescription covered by insurance if it's being prescribed by your dermatologist (or other healthcare provider) for acne treatment. Nearly all Medicare prescription drug plans cover Retin-A prescriptions to treat acne, as do most private insurance plans.