Retin-A® (Tretinoin) Cream FAQs
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Tretinoin (Retin-A) is used to treat acne. Tretinoin is also used to reduce fine wrinkles and to improve spotty discoloration and rough feeling skin when used along with other skin care and sunlight avoidance programs. Tretinoin is in a class of medications called retinoids. It works by promoting peeling of affected skin areas and unclogging pores.
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Tretinoin (Retin-A) is in a class of medications called retinoids. It works by promoting peeling of affected skin areas, unclogging pores, and encouraging new cell growth.
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Tretinoin comes as a lotion (Altreno), cream (Avita, Refissa, Renova, Retin-A), and gel (Atralin, Avita, Retin-A). Tretinoin usually is used daily at bedtime. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use tretinoin exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Tretinoin controls acne but does not cure it. Your acne probably will get worse (red, scaling skin and an increase in acne sores) during the first 7 to10 days that you use this medication. Nevertheless, continue to use it; the acne sores should disappear. Usually 2 to 3 weeks (and sometimes more than 6 weeks) of regular use of tretinoin is required before improvement is seen.
Tretinoin may reduce fine wrinkles, spotty discoloration, and rough feeling skin but does not cure them. It may take 3 to 4 months or up to 6 months before you notice improvement. If you stop using tretinoin, the improvement may gradually disappear.
Use only nonmedicated cosmetics on cleansed skin. Do not use topical preparations with a lot of alcohol, menthol, spices, or lime (e.g., shaving lotions, astringents, and perfumes); they can sting your skin, especially when you first use tretinoin.
Do not use any other topical medications, especially benzoyl peroxide, hair removers, salicylic acid (wart remover), and dandruff shampoos containing sulfur or resorcinol unless your doctor directs you to do so. If you have used any of these topical medications recently, ask your doctor if you should wait before using tretinoin.
Your doctor may tell you to use moisturizer to help with dryness.
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If you are to apply any form of tretinoin (Retin-A), follow these steps:
1. Wash your hands and affected skin area thoroughly with mild, bland soap (not medicated or abrasive soap or soap that dries the skin) and water. To be sure that your skin is thoroughly dry, wait 20 to 30 minutes before applying tretinoin.
2. Use clean fingertips to apply the medication.
3. Use enough medication to cover the affected area with a thin layer.
4. Apply the medication to the affected skin area only. Do not let tretinoin get into your eyes, ears, mouth, corners along your nose, or vaginal area. Do not apply on areas of sunburn.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
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RedBox Rx prescribes brand-name Retin-A cream and generic tretinoin cream in 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1% doses. The stronger the concentration of the active ingredient tretinoin in the cream, the faster and more visible the results. However, the stronger concentrations may come with more side effects.
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Usually it takes two to three weeks to see improvements in acne with tretinoin (Retin-A) cream. Acne may get worse in the first week or so, before it gets better. Keep using tretinoin for at least three weeks to assess results for acne.
For fine lines, discoloration, and skin texture, it can take three to six months to see visible results. Tretinoin cannot cure skin aging but it can reduce signs. You must maintain regular, continued use to keep enjoying the anti-aging benefits of tretinoin.
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Before using tretinoin (Retin-A),
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tretinoin, fish (if taking Altreno), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in tretinoin lotion, cream, or gel. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients..
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: certain antibiotics such as tetracyclines; antihistamines; diuretics ('water pills'); fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), delafloxacin (Baxdela), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and ofloxacin; medications for mental illness and nausea; or sulfonamides such as co-trimoxazole (Bactrim, Septra), sulfadiazine, sulfamethizole (Urobiotic), and sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had eczema (a skin disease), actinic keratoses (scaly spots or patches on the top layer of the skin), skin cancer, or other skin conditions.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using tretinoin, call your doctor.
plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light (tanning beds and sunlamps) and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Tretinoin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight or ultraviolet light.
you should know that weather extremes, such as wind and cold, may be particularly irritating.
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Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply extra cream, lotion, or gel to make up for a missed dose.
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Tretinoin (Retin-A) may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
warmth or slight stinging of the skin
lightening or darkening of the skin
red, scaling skin
increase in acne sores
swelling, blistering, or crusting of the skin
dryness, pain, burning, stinging, peeling, redness, or flaky skin at the treatment area
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately:
itching
hives
pain or discomfort at the treatment area
Tretinoin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
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If you stop using tretinoin (Retin-A) cream, any results you experienced may disappear. Tretinoin cream works best when used consistently.
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Name-brand Retin-A cream and generic tretinoin cream require a prescription and are not available over the counter.
There are retinol products available over the counter that have similar properties in lesser strengths. It takes longer to see results and overall results tend to be less significant than with prescription tretinoin cream.
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At RedBox Rx, name-brand Retin-A cream costs $40 to $60 per month and generic tretinoin cream costs $20 to $35 per month, depending on the quantity purchased. Our online consultation for acne or anti-aging costs only $20. RedBox Rx has one of the lowest prices of Retin-A and tretinoin cream available.
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Yes, tretinoin (Retin-A) cream will expire. Most tubes will have an expiration date to help you know if the medication has expired.
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Retin-A cream requires a prescription. Start an online doctor consult for acne or anti-aging with RedBox Rx to determine if Retin-A cream or generic tretinoin cream is right for you.
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Dermatologists recommend using simple moisturizers with tretinoin (Retin-A) cream. Try finding a moisturizer that has ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or humectants, but no other active ingredients. Ingredients like fragrance can irritate the skin when used with tretinoin cream.
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Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not allow the medication to freeze.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location - one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
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If someone swallows tretinoin (Retin-A), call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
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Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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Altinac®
Altreno®
Atralin®
Avita®
Refissa®
Renova®
Retin-A®
Tretin X®
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We offer a variety of prescription medication options for acne including:
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We offer a variety of prescription medication options for anti-aging including:
80%
of those who used generic Retin-A (tretinoin) cream saw a reduction in acne breakouts.
Source : National Institutes of Health
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What Our Patients Are Saying
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My tretinoin treatment has improved my skin so much that my family members are so impressed. Thank RedBox Rx for making it so easy and affordable to get my prescription online in a fast way. Forever a client.
Yolanda S.
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I realized I was almost out of my face cream and instead of calling in, making an appointment, waiting a month for appointment, having to go into appointment and pay the dermatologist $125 — all I did was get online, wait five minutes, talk to a doctor for six minutes, and I had my prescription sent to my address in less than four days. This cost $20 to see a dermatologist on here. Wow!! Not only easier but cheaper.
Valerie Y.
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I am grateful to have found an alternative that doesn't require insurance and I can do from the privacy of my home.
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Affordable anti-aging and acne treatment online.
We feel our best when we look our best. RedBox Rx has multiple FDA-approved prescription medications to help men and women treat acne and reduce the signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. We offer transparent, affordable pricing with fast, free shipping to your door.
- Low-cost $20 telehealth consult with a licensed medical provider.
- Retin-A cream starting at $40 per month.
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- Free standard shipping or expedited/overnight available.
Sorry, we’re closed for today. Our U.S. licensed medical providers are available daily 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST via live video visit. We look forward to serving you soon. Email us anytime at [email protected].