Tretin 0.05% Cream
What is Tretin 0.05% Cream used for?
Tretin 0.05% Cream is used to treat acne vulgaris by preventing the formation and spread of pimples and blackheads
(comedones). Tretin 0.05% Cream is also used to help reduce visible signs of ageing on the face by fading age spots
and reducing fine wrinkles, as it promotes skin turnover to replace old, damaged skin with new skin. Tretin 0.05% Cream cream
0.05% also has a potential use for treatment of alopecia (hair loss).
How does Tretin 0.05% Cream work?
Tretin 0.05% Cream contains tretinoin which is an active metabolite of Vitamin A and is a keratolytic medication that
affects the way skin cells behave, reducing symptoms of acne as well as age spots and fine wrinkles caused by sun
damage and aging. Tretin 0.05% Cream prevents formation of new pimples and blackheads (comedones) by
blocking the hardening processes of the outer skin layer (keratinisation and cornification) and increasing the shedding
of old hardened skin cells, while at the same time promoting growth of new skin cells. The combined effect of these
actions is to speed up skin cell turnover, clear up pimples and blackheads and reduce the spread of acne. This also
works for aging or damaged skin where age spots and fine wrinkles are replaced by new skin cells giving the effect of
lightening and smoothing the skin.
What does Tretin 0.05% Cream contain?
Tretin 0.05% Cream contains the active ingredient tretinoin, which is a keratolytic medication that is used to reduce
symptoms of acne as well as age spots and fine wrinkles. It also contains polyoxin 40 stearate, stearyl alcohol, stearic
acid, isopropyl myristate, butylated hydroxytoluene, sorbic acid and xanthan gum.
Treating acne with Tretin 0.05% Cream
Tretin 0.05% Cream contains tretinoin, a topical treatment for acne (pimples and blackheads) that works by blocking
the hardening processes of the outer skin layer (keratinisation and cornification) and increasing the shedding of old
hardened skin cells, while at the same time promoting growth of new skin cells, which speeds up the turnover of skin
cells, clears up pimples and blackheads and reduces the spread of acne.
Tretin 0.05% Cream for age spots
Tretin 0.05% Cream contains tretinoin, a topical treatment that can help reduce visible signs of ageing on the face by
lightening age spots, pigmented patches of skin caused by sun damage and general aging, common in people over 55
years. Tretin 0.05% Cream can help speeds up skin turnover by promoting the shedding of old damaged skin and
growth of new skin cells giving the effect of lightening the skin.
Tretin 0.05% Cream for wrinkles
Tretin 0.05% Cream contains tretinoin, a topical treatment that can help reduce visible signs of ageing on the face by
reducing fine wrinkles caused by sun damage and general aging of the skin. Tretin 0.05% Cream speeds up skin
turnover by promoting the shedding of old damaged skin and growth of new skin cells giving the effect of smoothing the
skin. It also promotes skin cells to produce collagen, which keeps skin flexible.
Tretin 0.05% Cream for hair loss (alopecia)
Tretin 0.05% Cream contains tretinoin, which is a topical treatment for acne and has also been found to help promote
hair growth in androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. Tretinoin promotes skin cell growth and is thought to prolong
the growth phase of hair follicles and help repair damaged hair follicles, promoting hair growth in all regions of the scalp.
Tretin 0.05% Cream is recommended for use by many dermatologists in addition to using minoxidil for the treatment of alopecia or
hair loss.
How does Tretin 0.05% Cream help with hair growth?
Tretin 0.05% Cream contains tretinoin, which is a topical treatment for acne and has also been found to help promote
hair growth in androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. Tretinoin promotes skin cell growth and is thought to prolong
the growth phase of hair follicles and help repair damaged hair follicles, promoting hair growth in all regions of the scalp.
Tretin 0.05% Cream is recommended for use by many dermatologists in addition to using minoxidil for the treatment of alopecia or
hair loss. It is thought that Tretin 0.05% Cream enhances the effect of minoxidil on hair growth by increasing its absorption into the
skin, due to its blocking action on the hardening processes of the outer skin layer (keratinisation and cornification). Dr
Adam Lewenberg investigated the beneficial effects of tretinoin on hair growth and markets a combination of minoxidil
and tretinoin, known as the Lewenberg formula.
What are the side effects of Tretin 0.05% Cream?
Tretin 0.05% Cream is generally well tolerated but it is always possible that you may experience side effects, the
most common is increased sensitivity to sunlight. Other side effects include burning, stinging, dryness, redness,
peeling, blistering and changes in pigmentation in the areas treated area of skin; severe irritation particularly if you have
sensitive skin or have eczema.
When should Tretin 0.05% Cream not be used?
You should not use Tretin 0.05% Cream if you:
- are allergic to tretinoin or any components Tretin 0.05% Cream cream
- are pregnant or may become pregnant during use, as tretinoin may cause birth defects
- have acute eczema, as tretinoin can cause severe irritation on eczematous skin
- have a skin condition such as rosacea or perioral dermatitis
- have a personal or familial history of cutaneous epithelioma
- are using any topical skin peeling medication containing sulphur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid
- are exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods, if unavoidable use a sunscreen and protective clothing over treated
areas to protect the skin
How to use Tretin 0.05% Cream?
Tretin 0.05% Cream should be applied to the affected area of the skin once daily, preferably in the evening before
going to bed. Clean the skin with a mild soap or soap-free cleanser, rinse with water then apply a small amount with
clean fingers and rub gently into the skin. Do not use large amounts or apply Tretin 0.05% Cream more often than directed,
as your skin will not clear up faster, instead you may increase the chance for side effects like skin irritation. Avoid
contact with the eyes, eyelids, inside of the nose and mouth, which are easily irritated areas, or other areas where
treatment is not intended. Do not apply to severely inflamed skin or to open lesions.
How long should you take Tretin 0.05% Cream?
You should continue to use your Tretin 0.05% Cream for the full course of treatment as directed by your doctor. You
should see improvement within 2 to 3 weeks, but it may take more than 6 weeks before you see definite beneficial
effects.
Missed dose of Tretin 0.05% Cream
If you miss a dose of Tretin 0.05% Cream0.05%, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to apply the next dose,
then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.
How should Tretin 0.05% Cream be stored?
You should store your Tretin 0.05% Cream at temperatures below 25°C.