{"id":111080,"date":"2022-06-06T13:44:44","date_gmt":"2022-06-06T13:44:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dermatica.co.uk\/skinlab\/where-to-apply-tretinoin\/"},"modified":"2022-11-17T14:05:51","modified_gmt":"2022-11-17T14:05:51","slug":"where-to-apply-tretinoin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dermatica.com\/skinlab\/where-to-apply-tretinoin\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Apply Tretinoin"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n\r\n

You\u2019ve probably heard of tretinoin, the most powerful of all the retinoids. It\u2019s so potent that it\u2019s only available on prescription, and it\u2019s used to treat a variety of skin concerns, from acne and melasma to fine lines and wrinkles. Despite tret\u2019s popularity, many people aren\u2019t sure on the essential do\u2019s and don’ts of how and where to apply it. If that\u2019s you, you\u2019re not alone. We\u2019re here to help.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It’s really important to use it correctly to reduce early temporary side effects and make the most of its benefits. So, here\u2019s what you need to know.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Applying Tretinoin: The Essentials<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

First things first, it\u2019s important to make sure you\u2019re introducing tretinoin to your routine correctly.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Keep it simple<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

When starting any retinoid, it\u2019s important to stick to a simple routine until your skin has adjusted to it, and you\u2019re sure aren\u2019t noticing any sensitivity. That means cutting out potentially irritating ingredients like salicylic and glycolic acids, as well as scrubs, peels, toners and serums \u2014 don\u2019t worry, you can reintroduce these products gradually with a dermatology expert\u2019s approval!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Apply with care<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s important to only use tretinoin in the evening, after washing your skin with a gentle cleanser and drying it thoroughly. To use it, apply a thin layer to your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth (more on that later). Once it has fully absorbed into your skin, you can follow up with a layer of moisturiser.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Never skip SPF<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Retinoids can increase our sensitivity to sunlight, so it\u2019s very important to wear sunscreen in the morning. Not only that, sun exposure can undo some of the skin benefits your treatment provides! We recommend at least SPF 30+, topped up every few hours.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Where You Can (<\/strong>and Can\u2019t)<\/em><\/strong> Apply Tretinoin<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Eyes\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How close can you apply tretinoin to your eyes? That\u2019s a popular question, particularly if you\u2019re using it to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The good news is that you can<\/em> use tretinoin around your eyes, as long as you\u2019re careful. Avoid your upper eyelid entirely, and don\u2019t get too close to the lower lash line when you\u2019re rubbing it in \u2014 our dermatology team recommends leaving a gap of at least 5 mm between your treatment and your lower eyelid.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Cheeks\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Tretinoin is completely safe to apply to your cheeks! It\u2019s commonly used in this area to smooth skin texture, plump areas of sun damage and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation or melasma. If you use it consistently, it can increase cell turnover and exfoliate dead skin, resulting in an even, glowing complexion in 8\u201312 weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Nose\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To reduce the risk of irritation, we usually recommend that you avoid applying tretinoin treatments to your nose. There\u2019s generally no need to use it here, and it may lead to additional purging. The only exception to this would be if you have specific hyperpigmentation or acne concerns around your nose, and have been advised by a dermatology expert to gradually introduce it to this area.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Lips\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Another no-go! The skin on your lips is extremely delicate, so applying topical retinoids to it is likely to result in irritation (plus, you don\u2019t want to end up with treatment in your mouth!) The skin concerns that tretinoin treats rarely affect the lips directly, and its collagen-boosting abilities won\u2019t create the illusion of filler in the same way that specialised plumping products do. If you\u2019re using tret on melasma around the top lip, proceed with caution \u2014 buffer your lips with an occlusive balm like petroleum jelly first, and wash the area with a mild cleanser if there\u2019s any transfer.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

T-zone<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Tretinoin is often used to treat a range of skin concerns around your T-zone, which includes your forehead and chin, two common areas for acne. Tret is very successful in the treatment \u2014 and even prevention \u2014 of acne, thanks to its powerful cell-regenerating and exfoliating abilities. We also use it in anti-ageing treatments to target fine lines and increase skin elasticity.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Neck, chest and body<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It can be tempting to use your retinoid treatment on your neck, chest or body, but you should only do this if advised by a dermatology expert. The skin here is different from your face, and easily irritated. Our formulas aren\u2019t designed for these areas \u2014 we\u2019d advise an in-person consultation to prescribe a treatment plan for them. If you\u2019re currently using a Dermatica formula for your face, inform any new dermatologist you see so they know you\u2019re not doubling up!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

When in doubt, you can always refer to our handy Instagram guide<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dealing with side effects<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Even if you stick to our guide, it\u2019s still possible that you\u2019ll experience side effects when you start using tretinoin. Some common early side effects include: redness, dryness, flaking, irritation and mild burning sensations. Don\u2019t worry \u2014 these are nothing to be concerned about, and they should clear up on their own.\u00a0
No matter how minor they are, though, side effects can be frustrating. To ease them, we\u2019d recommend using tretinoin every other night at first, until your skin gets used to it. You can also try applying a light layer of moisturiser before your treatment, to act as a buffer. For more tips on treating retinoid irritation, check out our blog post<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve probably heard of tretinoin, the most powerful of all the retinoids. It\u2019s so potent that it\u2019s only available on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":111081,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[178],"tags":[137,145,150,153,155],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhere to Apply Tretinoin - SkinLab<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dermatica.com\/skinlab\/where-to-apply-tretinoin\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Where to Apply Tretinoin - SkinLab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You\u2019ve probably heard of tretinoin, the most powerful of all the retinoids. 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