How to Use Retin A for Wrinkles – The Ultimate Guide to Ageless Skin

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Retin A, also known as tretinoin, belongs to the retinoids family and is a vitamin A derivative. Like most vitamin A derivatives such as retinol, it works effectively to treat skin issues such as aging, and others. If you are looking for how to use Retin A for wrinkles, you are in the right place. 

Dr. Stacy Chimento, a board-certified dermatologist says “Retin A is a potent version of vitamin A derivatives that help to reduce wrinkles and other aging signs by encouraging cell turnover in the skin. It is also good for skin tone and texture improvement.”

Unlike other members of the retinoid family, Retin A is only available by prescription, and this is because it is the most potent of all the retinoids. Using the ingredient incorrectly or too much on your skin can irritate your skin and that is why you need to learn to use it correctly. 

Read ahead to find out how to use Retin A products on your skin to treat wrinkles without damaging your skin. 

How to Use Retin A for Wrinkles

Using the ingredient incorrectly or too much on your skin can irritate your skin and that is why you need to learn to use it correctly. If you have just gotten a Retin A prescription, ensure that you follow your doctor’s prescription on application and usage. 

When applying the ingredient:

  • Don’t apply too much of it; to avoid irritating your skin.
  • Don’t apply it on open wounds or areas where you have sunburn.
  • Avoid applying it on and around sensitive parts of your skin, such as your eyes, lips, and corners of your nose. If you accidentally get it in any of these areas, quickly wash it off with clean water. 
  • Don’t use it too often on your skin. Always apply with caution and as prescribed.
  • Always wash your hand after application; to remove any leftover medicine on your hand.
  • Avoid touching your face or applying other skincare products immediately after using Retin A on your skin.

The medicine often comes in different forms, such as gel, lotion, cream, and liquid. Ahead is a guide to applying each effectively without irritating your skin.

How to Apply Retin A Products for Wrinkles

Before you begin the application of either one of the products on your skin, ensure that your skin is clean and ready for the application of the product. Never use any skincare product on an unclean face, and that is why cleansing the face is the first step of every skincare routine.

While you wash your face, avoid using harsh cleansers such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and so on while at it. Make use of mild soap or cleanser to remove dirt from your face. After rinsing the soap off your face, proceed to blot your face dry by patting it with a clean towel.

Allow your skin to dry up completely for about 20 minutes, then you can apply your Retin A product. Here’s how to do it:

  • Squeeze out a pea-sized amount of the product on your fingertips
  • Gently apply it to cover your cheeks, forehead, and other areas of your face. 
  • While you are at it, avoid sensitive parts of your face such as your under-eye, lips, and so on.
  • Wait for about 30 minutes before using other skincare products on your skin such as moisturizer.

A small amount of any one of these forms of Retin A is enough to treat wrinkles and other skin issues, so it is best to stick to applying a little amount of it. 

Also, you can follow the instructions on the product on how to use it best for wrinkles, as some Retin A products can contain other active ingredients.

How to Apply Retin A Liquid 

Before you begin the application of the product on your skin, ensure that your skin is clean and ready for the application of the product. Never use any skincare product on an unclean face, and that is why cleansing the face is the first step of every skincare routine.

Wash your face with a gentle soap or cleanser that doesn’t contain harsh ingredients, such as salicylic acid. Rinse your face with clean water after washing your face, and dry your face by patting it with a dry, clean towel.

Allow your skin to dry up completely and follow the steps below to apply the product to your skin.

  • To apply this liquid, you can use your fingertips, a cotton swab, or a pad.
  • Squeeze out a drop on your fingertips or any other application tool and apply the product to your face. 
  • Do this gently and avoid the sensitive areas of your skin while at it.
  • If you are using a cotton swab or pad for the application, ensure that you do not get it too wet with the product. Doing that may get the product on areas you do not intend to apply it on, such as the sensitive areas of your face.
  • After applying it, wait for about 30 minutes before applying your moisturizer.

How Does Retin A Help Wrinkles?

According to cosmetic chemist David Petrillo, Retin A is an exfoliant that boosts skin cell turnover by purposely irritating the skin to trigger the production of new skin cells. 

When applied to the skin, it travels past the outer layer of the skin(epidermis); to slough off dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, accelerate blood flow in the skin and increase the rate of collagen production in the skin. 

This helps the skin to look healthier and plump while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and other aging signs.

When Should You Use It?

Retin A is best used at night when the face is free from any form of disturbance or touching. Use it at night just before going to bed, and allow your skin to work with the product to repair and revitalize your skin. 

Also, using Retin A at night allows you to use your other skincare products during the day without interfering with them.

How Long Should You Use Retin A to Treat Wrinkles?

Use Retin A for as long as you get your desired result. As potent and effective as this ingredient is, it doesn’t work magic on your skin overnight. It takes about 6 weeks to start seeing any form of Improvement with your wrinkles. 

To see better improvements, it takes about 6 to 12 months to work its magic in the reduction of aging signs, such as wrinkles.

How Often Should You Use Retin A on Your Skin?

Retin A is a very strong ingredient and can cause peeling, redness, itching, and rashes to occur on the skin when it is used too frequently on the skin. When you begin to use it on your skin, start by applying it once or twice weekly. 

After the first week, you can increase the number of times per week to three. Stick to that frequency for the first one month, then move to use every other day. That is, use it one day on and the next day off. 

Build up your consistency to a stage where your skin can tolerate consistent use of Retin A on your skin.

Should You Use Retin A Around Your Eyes?

The skin covering the area of the eyes is known to be very thin and sensitive, and Retin A is also not a gentle ingredient. Using Retin A on the skin around your eyes can greatly irritate and burn your skin. 

You should always avoid sensitive areas of your skin when applying products on your face, to avoid irritation and further damage.

Can You Use Retin A and Hyaluronic Acid? 

Yes, you can. Hyaluronic acid is one of the few other skincare products to combine with your Retin A. Hyaluronic acid is a hydrator that works to restore hydration to the skin, making the skin plump and smooth. 

How to use it:

  • Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser that does not contain harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin.
  • Dry your face by patting it with a dry, clean towel.
  • Apply your Retin A product first, and wait for about 30 minutes before applying your hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin, as well as nourish your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you use Retin A before or after moisturizer?

Use your Retin A before moisturizing your skin. Moisturizer should come after the application of your Retin A product.

After 30 minutes of using your Retin A product on your skin, apply your moisturizer to lock in hydration on your skin, and also to prevent your skin from getting dry.

Can you use Retin A every night?

Yes, you can. Your skin must be able to tolerate the ingredient before you can do this. Otherwise, the ingredient will irritate your skin and will also make your skin prone to other side effects. 

If your skin is sensitive, It is wise to only use the ingredient one night on and the other night off.

What are the side effects of using Retin A on your skin?

Common side effects of using this ingredient include; dryness, flaking, itchiness, and redness of the skin. 

As with other retinoids, Retin A may irritate your skin for the first three weeks of using it. As time goes on, and with continued usage, your skin will learn to tolerate the ingredient and it will no longer irritate your skin. 

Conclusion

Retin A, also known as tretinoin, belongs in the retinoids family and is a vitamin A derivative. Like most vitamin A derivatives such as retinol, it works effectively to treat skin issues such as aging, and so on. If you are looking for how to use Retin A for wrinkles, you are in the right place. 

Unlike other members of the retinoid family, Retin A is only available by prescription, and this is because it is the most potent of all the retinoids.

Using the ingredients incorrectly or too much on your skin can irritate your skin, and that is why you need to learn to use them correctly. If you have just gotten a Retin A prescription, ensure that you follow your doctor’s prescription on application and usage. 

Thanks for reading.

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