Skin Care Review: Retin-A / Tretinoin

Approximately 11 years ago I learned of Retin-A from my sister-in-law and sought a dermatologist to perscribe it for me. I did have difficulty with redness and flaking but found that cortisone cream corrected that problem. The Retin-A totally did away with some brown areas in the region of my jaws but was not terribly effective on wrinkles--probably because I was not consistant in using it. In fact, I ceased using it for most of the period between then and recently.

I began using the generic tretinoin cream .01% approximately 3 months ago and although I have used it daily, I have had little irritation except on my neck. I now use it only every two or three days on my neck. It has definitely improved the coloration of my skin and I believe it has reduced the appearance of wrinkles as well although that is difficult to ascertain.

With the understanding that tretinoin induces the production of collegen(SP?), I have also been applying it daily to the backs of my 68-year-old hands to see if I can effect the reduction of bruising that has often occurred with impacts so slight that I am not even aware of them at the times they have occurred. I believe it really has helped as I have no bruising whatsoever on either hand at this time--a RARE circumstance in recent years. It has also undoubtedly reduced the appearance of spotty pigmentation on my hands.