Retin-A is used for the treatment of mild to moderate acne. Acne can appear as congested pores, whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, pustules, or cysts (deep pimples). These blemishes occur wherever there are oil (sebaceous) glands — commonly on the face, chest, and back. Retin-A has been proven effective in reducing the appearance of acne by increasing skin cell production. Retin-A has also been used to reduce certain types of wrinkles, areas of darkened skin, and rough patches.

Retin-A is often used to improve the appearance and texture of the skin. It produces a mild, superficial peel of the epidermis. Retin-A has effects on the both the superficial (epidermis) and the deep (dermis) parts of the skin. The major benefit is to decrease the effects of sunlight caused aging by increasing the speed with which the surface cells are replaced.

Tretinoin is a derivative of vitamin A. Tretinoin irritates the skin and causes the cells of the skin to grow (divide) and die more rapidly, that is, it increases the turnover of cells. The number of layers of cells in the skin actually is reduced. In patients with acne, new cells replace the cells of existing pimples, and the rapid turnover of cells prevents new pimples from forming. By a similar mechanism, Tretinoin can reduce some wrinkles, areas of darkened skin, and rough areas of skin, all of which occur in sun-damaged skin. In patients with sun-damaged skin, improvements in the skin usually are seen within the first 3 to 4 weeks of treatment. Brown spots begin to fade after six to eight weeks. Wrinkles decrease or disappear after three to six months. Following application to the skin, a minimal amount of drug is absorbed into the body.

The latest study of tretinoin (Retin-A) shows the drug continues to reduce wrinkles, age spots and roughness for at least 22 months in patients with sun-damaged skin. Since one of the effects of Retin-A cream applications is to extrude the pimple, it initially appears as if it is making the situation worse. As such dermatologists recommend that you give it time to work, sometimes up to a year or more for maximum Retin-A results.