Does Tretinoin Help With Acne Scars?
Tretinoin is known for its ability to speed up skin cell renewal and reduce the appearance of acne scarring, while also promoting new cell growth in affected areas.
Results have shown that Tretinoin is effective in reducing the appearance of acne scars. This compound is sometimes used to prepare the skin before performing chemical peel procedures that target scar reduction.
What is Tretinoin?
The well-known acne medication Retin-A is also known as Tretinoin. Derived from vitamin A, this type of retinoid acid serves a dual purpose in treating both acne and wrinkles. Retinoid and retinol, derived from vitamin A, are easily accessible without a prescription and have a lesser potency. While they may not completely eliminate deep wrinkles, they can effectively reduce the appearance of superficial creases, minor lines, and dark spots.
Tretinoin, also known as retinoic acid, is available under various brands in the market. One of these is the topical Retinoic acid, also known as Retin-A. It is important to avoid confusing it with topical retinoids, such as retinol. Tretinoin accelerates cell turnover, aiding in the shedding of skin cells and their replacement with younger cells. Moreover, it acts as a preventative measure against acne and promotes collagen production.
The application of tretinoin increases the sensitivity of your skin to the sun’s radiation. Using sunblock is important to protect treated skin from sun damage when incorporating tretinoin into your skincare routine.
What does Tretinoin do for acne?
Tretinoin was initially created to treat acne and operates through a mechanism that involves:
- Reducing the size of pores
- Decreasing the adhesive properties of your cells to avoid pore blockage.
- Decreasing the production of sebum.
After being applied onto the skin, only a minimal amount of medication is absorbed into the body. Tretinoin regulates the process of replacing old skin cells with new ones, known as skin cell turnover. It causes skin irritation, which increases the frequency of skin cell division and death, ultimately resulting in a higher turnover of cells.
Tretinoin cream has the ability to enhance skin condition by replacing dead skin cells on the face with fresh ones. This process has been proven to have positive effects on acne, signs of aging, and various skin issues such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (dark spots), and sun damage.
Treating acne scars with tretinoin
While tretinoin may improve the appearance of acne scars, it is important to note that topical treatments cannot completely remove depressed scarring caused by boxcar, icepick, and rolling scars. While tretinoin may gradually improve scarring over time, it is important to not expect immediate miracles but rather anticipate subtle changes in skin texture over a long period.
Dermatologists can provide a variety of effective treatments to reduce or eliminate acne scars for individuals seeking relief from scarring:
- Microneedling: Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that stimulates the skin by using a wheel of small, pointed needles to puncture it multiple times, which promotes collagen growth and enhances the appearance of elastin fibers.
- Laser treatment: Laser therapy consists of two main types: non-ablative and ablative lasers. Non-ablative lasers promote collagen production, while ablative lasers remove damaged tissue.
- Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion: Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are both techniques used to treat scarring and changes in pigmentation by removing the outer layer of skin. Dermabrasion is a procedure that removes the outer layer of the skin to promote the production of new collagen. Microdermabrasion is a method that aims to enhance the skin’s natural exfoliation process in a gentle manner.
- Injectables or fillers: Injectables like hyaluronic acid can help reduce the appearance of acne scars by inflating the skin. Furthermore, these injectables provide the benefit of targeting and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.
