Reverse Fine Lines and Dark Spots With Tretinoin

A slew of serums, creams and gels claim to reverse fine lines and dark spots but one of the most proven skin care ingredients is tretinoin. The retinoid, often used to treat acne, is enjoying a newfound popularity among dermatologists who say it’s an effective anti-aging ingredient.

It sounds counterintuitive but tretinoin works by irritating the skin, which kickstarts your skin’s natural cell growth process and accelerates it, leading to faster turnover of the top layer of cells. These smooth new cells then help to even out the tone and texture of the skin, diminishing lines and dark spots.

When paired with the right moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen, tretinoin is considered safe for most people to use long-term. But a word of warning, it can cause redness, dryness and peeling, particularly in the first few weeks of treatment. If your skin becomes too sensitive, you should stop using the product & consult your doctor.

Tretinoin is available in cream (Altreno), gel (Avita, Refissa, Renova) or liquid (Retin-A). It’s best to apply it once a day before bed – after cleansing, but not washing, as excessive rubbing can cause irritation. You should also avoid applying it to cut, scraped or sunburned skin. It can also irritate eyes so you should take care to keep it away from them.

It may interact with certain medications such as antidepressants, antibiotics and other retinoids, so be sure to tell your doctor about any medication you’re taking or have recently taken. It can also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight so it’s a good idea to wear a sun-protecting hat and broad-spectrum sunscreen when you go outside.  tretinoin