Generic Retino-A Cream (Tretinoin)

What is Retino-A used for?

Retino-A cream 0.05% is used to treat acne vulgaris by preventing the formation and spread of pimples and blackheads (comedones). Retino-A cream 0.05% 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. Retino-A cream 0.05% also has a potential use for treatment of alopecia (hair loss).

How does Retino-A work?

Retino-A cream 0.05% contains tretinoin which is an active metabolite of Vitamim 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. Retino-A cream 0.05% 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 Retino-A cream contain?

Retino-A cream 0.05% 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 polyoxyl 40 stearate, stearyl alcohol, stearic acid, isopropyl myristate, butylated hydroxytoluene, sorbic acid and xanthan gum.

Treating acne with Retino-A cream

Retino-A cream 0.05% 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.

Retino-A cream for age spots

Retino-A cream 0.05% 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. Retino-A cream 0.05% 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.

Retino-A cream for wrinkles

Retino-A cream 0.05% 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. Retino-A cream 0.05% 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.

Retino-A cream for hair loss (alopecia)

Retino-A cream 0.05% 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. Retino-A is recommended for use by many dermatologists in addition to using minoxidil for the treatment of alopecia or hair loss.

How does Retino-A cream help with hair growth?

Retino-A cream 0.05% 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. Retino-A is recommended for use by many dermatologists in addition to using minoxidil for the treatment of alopecia or hair loss. It is thought that Retino-A 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 Retino-A?

Retino-A cream 0.05% 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 Retino-A not be used?

You should not use Retino-A cream 0.05% if you:

• are allergic to tretinoin or any components Retino-A 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, resorcinal 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 Retino-A?

Retino-A cream 0.05% 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 Retino-A 0.05% 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 Retino-A?

You should continue to use your Retino-A cream 0.05% 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 Retino-A

If you miss a dose of Retino-A cream 0.05%, 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 Retino-A be stored?

You should store your Retino-A cream 0.05% at temperatures below 25°C.