Retinoids are a group of skin treatments that are derived from Vitamin A and help your skin renew itself, which reduces the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, and acne. You can get retinoids in creams and gels, and also in capsule form (isotretinoin, best known under the brand name Roaccutane). Isotretinoin is an effective treatment for severe acne, but it has serious side effects so you need to be assessed by a dermatologist before being prescribed it.
Most people use retinoids to improve blemishes, minimise fine lines and wrinkles, and limit discolouration caused by sun damage. They do all of this by boosting your skin’s natural cell turnover, which means that any dead cells are removed and the newer, smoother skin is revealed. This can take up to 12 weeks to see visible results and it’s important to continue using tretinoin on a regular basis to keep seeing these results.
It’s important to know that retinoids can cause dryness, redness and flaking of the skin. Using the right amount of product and not applying it too often will help prevent these side effects. It’s also very important to use a good sunscreen during the day as the retinoids make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.
In the UK, tretinoin can only be sold as a prescription medication by a GP or dermatologist. Aestheticians cannot sell it directly to clients, but there are websites selling tretinoin online – you can find them by searching for ‘tretinoin uk’ in Google. If you are considering buying tretinoin online, you should always check that the seller is a reputable company.
The first thing you need to do before applying tretinoin is to wash your face thoroughly. Gently washing and patting your skin dry will help prevent irritation. Then, you can apply tretinoin once a day, usually before bed. It’s recommended to only use a pea-sized amount, as overdoing it can cause irritated and red, swollen skin. You should also avoid putting it on sunburned or inflamed skin.
Finally, it’s important to remember that tretinoin can cause changes to your skin and you should only use it as recommended by your doctor or dermatologist. It’s also not suitable for pregnant women. If you notice any serious or uncomfortable symptoms, speak to your GP or dermatologist immediately. tretinoin uk