Will Retin-A Make my Skin Worse Before It Gets Better?

Since Retin-A acts to increase metabolic activity in the upper layers of the skin, exfoliation, more rapid cellular turnover, and increased skin thickness due to increased vascularity needed to support this activity are normal responses as patients start this therapy. Acne generally gets better as the upper dead skin cells slough off more rapidly, new skin cells push off the dry dead layers, and excess oils are reduced. 'BUT, you can have some irritation, redness, and dryness that can cause slight swelling in the pores, which can lead to trapped sebum and the occasional outbreak or stray pimple! But only for a while as your skin acclimates to the effects of the Retin-A.

Start slowly, maybe every 3rd or 4th day at first, allowing your skin to recover between Retin-A exposures. As your skin tolerates the effects better, you can increase to every other day, and eventually daily use.

Retin-A, in combination with proper skin care, topical or oral antibiotics (prescribed by your Dermatologist), and even certain kinds of laser, IPL, or LED wavelengths, is a truly helpful skin and acne pharmaceutical (need a prescription) available at your doctor's office or skin care clinic!

Retin-A can cause acne prone skin to purge in the beginning. Dry, itchy, flaky skin are also common skin responses to Retin-A. Allow 4-6 weeks for your skin to adjust.

Retin-A works for damaged and acne prone skin. It is scientifically proven to positively effect the skin through thickening the dermis and genetically altering the skins properties. The initial side effects are skin flaking which helps to shed the outer layer build up which ultimately improves the texture and tone of the skin, as well dryness and redness. These should be expected and the natural tendency is to stop the Retin-A. The proper application would be to treat through it and maybe back down to every other night.