retin A

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I have acne and after several years of tinkering, I've found the right combination of several prescription products daily to control it — benzoyl peroxide 6%, Solodyn, dapsone, Retin-A, clindamycin, and the list goes on. While I'm not pregnant now, I'd like to try and conceive in the next three years or so and I understand I shouldn't be using these products while pregnant or breastfeeding. Do you have any recommendations on what I should do? I was considering trying Accutane (prior to trying to get pregnant, of course), but I know it has serious side effects.
—Worried About Spots

As someone who's been trying to get pregnant, I've thoroughly researched this topic and am so glad you asked this question so I can share some knowledge with you! I'm glad that you’ve found a system that works for you in terms of your acne now. But since you’re interested in conceiving in the next few years, I will share with you information on Accutane as well as what is considered safe for acne treatment while pregnant, so keep on reading.

Adult acne is the pits, and recently, due to a particularly terrible bout with it, my dermatologist prescribed me a tretinoin (aka Retin-A) gel to combat my bumps. While I see a marked difference in the appearance of pimples, one side effect I don't love is scaly, irritated skin. Peeling is part of the process of using tretinoin, but you can minimize the side effects with these tips.

• Easy does it: Ease your skin into the treatment by starting out with a small amount per application. Also, if you're instructed to apply your cream or gel both day and night, apply just once per day, gradually increasing your recommended dosage as your skin becomes accustomed to your new regimen.
• Mix it up: If you're getting rough, scaly patches on your face, simply mix your Retin-A with a mild moisturizer. It won't alter the benefits of your prescribed treatment, and it will help to soften the skin.
• Skip it: If your skin's really hurting, just skip a day or two to let your skin readjust.
• Go mild: Other acne-fighting ingredients, like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, might prove to be too irritating when used in combination with Retin-A. A mild soap, moisturizer, and sunscreen are probably all you'll need.

Retinoids have been used for decades, but oddly, they don't get much buzz. These underpraised and often overlooked topical treatments could help your skin in more ways than one, though. Not only do they effectively treat acne by unclogging pores, they can also slow signs of aging while keeping your complexion healthier. Retinoids — including drugs like tretinoin, isotretinoin, adapalene — are topical forms of vitamin A, and they're available only by prescription.

The good news is that retinoid medications can work wonders for your complexion. Unlike over-the-counter treatments, though, they require a little more attention. To find out what you need to know before considering retinoids like Retin-A, Tazorac, and Differin, just keep reading.