Mom was right. Tret is back.
Of course, tretinoin never really went away.
While social media introduces a new “must-have” skincare ingredient almost every week, prescription tretinoin remains one of the most studied topical treatments for photoaging, fine lines, uneven pigmentation and overall skin quality.
Often called simply “tret,” tretinoin is a prescription-strength topical retinoid derived from vitamin A. It has been used in dermatology for decades and is widely regarded as a gold-standard topical treatment for photoaged skin.
Today, women in their 20s and 30s are discovering tretinoin through social media, while women in their 40s, 50s and 60s may be rediscovering something they have known about for years.
At Las Vegas Plastic Surgery, we see this as one of those rare skincare conversations where moms and daughters may actually agree: sometimes the most effective skincare doesn’t have to be the newest.
What Is Tretinoin and What Does It Do for Your Skin?
Tretinoin is a prescription topical retinoid used to treat acne and improve signs of sun-damaged or photoaged skin. With consistent, appropriate use, tretinoin can improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and skin texture.
Tretinoin works at the cellular level and affects skin cell turnover. Research also supports its effects on collagen and other changes associated with photoaged skin.
For appropriate patients, tretinoin may help improve:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Uneven skin tone
- Sun-damaged skin
- Mottled pigmentation and brown spots
- Rough or uneven texture
- Dull-looking skin
- Overall appearance and quality of photoaged skin
These changes don’t happen overnight. Tretinoin is best viewed as a long-term skincare treatment rather than a quick cosmetic fix.
Why Is Tretinoin Considered a Gold Standard for Anti-Aging Skincare?
Tretinoin has something many trending skincare ingredients don’t have; decades of clinical research behind it.
Research has shown that topical tretinoin can improve multiple visible signs of photoaging, including fine and coarse wrinkles and uneven pigmentation. It also produces changes within the skin associated with collagen and epidermal renewal.
That’s one reason tretinoin continues to be an important prescription treatment even as new skincare ingredients and products enter the market.
In other words, tretinoin isn’t suddenly effective because it’s trending again.
It‘s trending again because people are rediscovering an established treatment.
Why Is “Tret” Suddenly Popular Again?
Skincare consumers are becoming more educated.
Women are reading ingredient lists, researching active ingredients and asking an important question before spending money on skincare:
Does this actually work?
That has brought renewed attention to evidence-based ingredients and prescription skincare.
Women in their 20s and 30s may be interested in maintaining skin quality and addressing acne, texture or early signs of sun damage. Women in their 40s, 50s and 60s may be looking for ways to address pigmentation, wrinkles, texture and years of accumulated sun exposure.
And sometimes there’s a funny generational moment when a daughter tells her mother about the amazing new skincare product she’s discovered called “tret.”
Mom’s response?
“I’ve been using that for years.”
That’s why professional guidance matters.
How Should You Start Using Tretinoin?
One of the most important things to understand about tretinoin is that more is not necessarily better.
Redness, dryness, peeling, flaking, stinging or irritation can occur, especially during the initial adjustment period.
Some people become frustrated by these effects and stop using tretinoin before giving their skin an opportunity to adjust.
At Las Vegas Plastic Surgery, Dr. Jeffrey J. Roth and his staff personally advise patients on how to incorporate prescription tretinoin into their skincare routine.
Depending on the individual patient, this may include guidance about:
- How much tretinoin to apply
- How frequently to begin using it
- How to gradually adjust the routine
- When and how to use moisturizer
- Which skincare products to use with tretinoin
- Which potentially irritating products may need to be reduced or temporarily avoided
- What degree of dryness or irritation may occur
- When irritation should be discussed with the office
The goal is to maximize the potential benefits of tretinoin while minimizing unnecessary redness, dryness and irritation.
If irritation occurs, it doesn’t necessarily mean tretinoin isn’t right for you. Your routine may simply need to be adjusted under the guidance of your healthcare provider.
How Long Does Tretinoin Take to Work?
Tretinoin is a long-term skincare treatment, and consistency is important.
Clinical research has evaluated tretinoin over periods ranging from several months to a year or longer. Improvement develops gradually rather than overnight.
That’s an important distinction in today’s skincare world.
Tretinoin isn’t designed to provide an instant “before and after” result for social media. The goal is consistent use over time to improve and maintain skin quality.
Consistency beats intensity.
Does Tretinoin Cause Redness and Peeling?
It can.
Dryness, redness, peeling and irritation are recognized side effects of topical tretinoin, particularly when treatment begins.
This is one reason we believe prescription skincare should include more than simply receiving a prescription.
Dr. Roth and his staff can help patients understand how to use tretinoin appropriately and make adjustments when needed.
Professional guidance may make it easier to stay consistent with treatment instead of giving up because of early irritation.
Do You Still Need Sunscreen When Using Tretinoin?
Yes. Daily sun protection remains an essential part of a skincare program addressing photoaging.
If you’re investing time and money into improving sun-damaged skin, protecting your skin from continued ultraviolet exposure is an important part of maintaining those efforts.
Tretinoin should be viewed as one component of a broader skincare strategy that may include sunscreen, moisturizer and other carefully selected medical-grade products.
Can Tretinoin Be Used With Medical-Grade Skincare?
Yes, but the products in your routine should be chosen thoughtfully.
At Las Vegas Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada, our Medical Aestheticians can evaluate your existing skincare routine, discuss your concerns and help identify products that may be beneficial, unnecessary or potentially irritating when combined with prescription skincare.
Dr. Roth can determine whether prescription tretinoin is appropriate for you and provide medical guidance for its use.
This can be particularly helpful for women who have accumulated a bathroom counter full of cleansers, serums, exfoliants, retinols, moisturizers and trending skincare products but aren’t sure which ones they actually need.
Sometimes better skincare isn’t about buying more.
It’s about using the right products consistently and correctly.
Is Tretinoin Better Than Over-the-Counter Retinol?
Tretinoin and retinol are both retinoids, but they are not the same product. Tretinoin is prescription strength, while retinol is commonly available in over-the-counter skincare products.
Which option is appropriate depends on factors such as your skin, goals, tolerance and medical history.
Rather than choosing a product solely because it’s stronger or popular online, we recommend selecting a skincare program based on what is appropriate for your individual skin.
Is Tretinoin Right for Everyone?
No.
Prescription tretinoin is not appropriate for everyone, and individual tolerance can vary. Certain medical circumstances, medications, skin conditions or other treatments may affect whether tretinoin is appropriate.
That’s another reason to discuss prescription skincare with a qualified healthcare provider rather than following a one-size-fits-all routine from social media.
Mom and Daughter May Finally Agree on Skincare
Skincare trends will continue to change.
New ingredients will become popular. Packaging will become prettier. And social media will undoubtedly discover another “miracle” product.
Tretinoin has something many of those products don’t have: decades of clinical use and research supporting its role in treating photoaged skin.
So whether you’re in your 20s and beginning to think about long-term skin quality or in your 40s, 50s or 60s and want to address wrinkles, pigmentation, texture and sun damage, it may be worth asking whether tretinoin belongs in your skincare routine.
And this may be one skincare product Mom and Daughter can finally agree on.
Interested in Tretinoin in Las Vegas?
Patients interested in prescription tretinoin or a more effective medical-grade skincare routine can schedule a skincare consultation at Las Vegas Plastic Surgery.
Our Medical Aestheticians can help evaluate your skincare routine, and Dr. Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS can determine whether prescription-strength tretinoin is appropriate for your skin and goals.
For more information, please click: https://www.jjrothmd.com/contact/our-las-vegas-practice/
Prescription tretinoin is not appropriate for everyone and can cause dryness, redness, peeling, stinging and irritation, particularly when beginning treatment. Use prescription skincare only as directed by your healthcare provider.
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