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Retinoic acid: what it is for and how to apply it

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

The importance of skincare goes beyond aesthetics. It is nice to have beautiful skin, yes, but it is more beautiful than it is healthy, and it serves to protect our body. When using medication that affects it, we must be aware of what we use.

In this FastlyHealarticle, we talk about what retinoic acid is for, in which cases it can be used and how it should be applied. We also refer to the care that should be taken and the side effects that can be expected. If you are interested, you can read it below.

What is retinoic acid for?

Retinoic acid, also known as threonine or acidic vitamin A, is the active form of vitamin A in almost all tissues. This drug can be applied to the skin (topically) or administered by mouth (orally). This article will only refer to topical use.

Retinoic acid renews the skin, works by peeling diseased skin, and helps the growth of new cells and the attraction of collagen, thus giving rise to the formation of a new, healthier skin layer.

Therefore, we can say that retinoic acid serves to:

  • Acne: in this condition, there is an accumulation of fat and squamous cells in the sebaceous follicles of the skin, thus giving rise to comedones and inflammation. This is precisely where retinoic acid takes effect, making the skin less adherent, eliminating existing comedones, and making it more difficult for new ones to appear. In addition, it prevents plugs from forming inside the pimples, thus acting on pimples or blackheads. It is usually not effective in severe forms of acne, where the deeper layers of the skin are affected.
  • Aging of the skin due to the sun (skin photoaging): precisely, by regenerating the skin, it is possible to reduce the damage that intense exposure to the sun could have caused it (such as spots, fine wrinkles, among others).
  • Psoriasis: in this case, the skin cells do not grow properly, which leads to red and scaly lesions, especially on the elbows and knees, the scalp, and nails. Retinoic acid helps to remove diseased layers and renews the skin so that it is not so prone to damage.
  • Other less common diseases: Retinoic acid can be used in other, rarer skin conditions such as lamellar ichthyosis, follicular keratosis, or lichen planus.

How to apply retinoic acid

Retinoic acid comes in several forms: gel, solution, and cream. They also exist in various concentrations: 0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1%. The most appropriate form for each case will be the one indicated by the specialist since it will depend on the type of lesions that exist on the skin, the area or areas that are affected, whether it is applied in conjunction with another medication or alone, of the type of skin (dry, normal or oily) …, in short, it must be adapted to each person.

Retinoic acid or threonine should be applied to diseased skin. In the case of acne, this should not be only on the current lesion but on the entire area where comedones usually appear, either on the face, on the upper part of the trunk, or both. Placement near the eyes, mouth, and nostrils should be avoided.

The right thing to do is to apply the retinoic acid cream once a day, preferably at night, before going to bed, as the sun inactivates the product and can also stain the skin.

The time that retinoic acid is used will also be determined by the specialist who controls the patient, taking into account the evolution of the lesions.

Precautions when using retinoic acid

You must take into account the following recommendations when using a cream with retinoic acid:

  • You should not expose the skin area receiving the treatment to the sun, and if you do, you should be using sunscreen, as it can cause burns or make spots appear.
  • You cannot exfoliate. Since retinoic acid has that effect, you could damage your skin.
  • Don’t wash your face too often.
  • Retinoic acid should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Nor should it be used in young children.
  • It should not be applied to inflamed skin, allergies, or sunburns.
  • Other types of creams should not be used simultaneously, except sunscreen or one indicated by the dermatologist.
  • Care must be taken when waxing the treated area, as damage can occur.

Side effects of topical retinoic acid

You may notice some skin irritation during the first two to three weeks of use, which is normal. You may have a sensation of heat, mild itching, and redness of the skin. It can also flake off within a few days of starting retinoic acid. See your doctor if you think the irritation is too severe, in which case the retinoic acid may be stopped.

A doctor should be consulted if blisters, scabs, severe itching, severe redness, or skin swelling are observed.

The treated skin can change color and become lighter or darker. This could last several months after stopping the treatment.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Retinoic acid: what it is for and how to apply it, we recommend entering our aesthetic treatment category.

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