Tretinoin photoageing guide
How to use prescribed tretinoin 0.05% cream at night for chronic photoageing, with gradual adaptation and daily SPF 50.
Tretinoin photoageing guide
How to use prescribed tretinoin 0.05% cream at night for chronic photoageing, with gradual adaptation and daily SPF 50.
- READ TIME
- 3 min read
- PATHWAY
- Tretinoin 0.05%
- DOSE RANGE
- 2 → Every night
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How to use
- What it is and how it works
Tretinoin is a topical retinoid that increases epidermal cell turnover. The prescribed Retirides 0.5 mg/g cream is intended for fine lines, mottled pigmentation and facial roughness linked to chronic sun exposure after a consistent basic skin-care routine has not been enough.
- Apply it as prescribed
Use only at night. Cleanse gently, dry completely and wait about 20 minutes. Spread a pea-sized amount in a thin layer over the prescribed facial area, starting at the jawline, then forehead, cheeks and chin, with the nose last. Avoid eyelids, the eye contour, lip corners, nose folds, mucosa, wounds, eczema and sunburn.
- Skin care and interactions
Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50 every morning, including cloudy days, and avoid intense sun and UVA. Do not use glycolic or salicylic acid, AHA/BHA, scrubs, alcohol toners, other retinoids, waxing or other irritating procedures in the same routine. Tell the prescriber about photosensitising medicines such as thiazides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, phenothiazines or sulfonamides.
First 3 months. Take photographs in the same light at the start and at 3 months; texture and tone change before lines do. Redness, peeling and stinging in the first 2 to 6 weeks are expected. Slow the frequency rather than stopping, and moisturise afterwards. SPF 50+ every morning; avoid waxing, peels and other retinoids or acids.
Months 3-6 and beyond. Stop immediately and tell your doctor if you become pregnant or plan a pregnancy. Stop and ask for review for severe redness, swelling, blistering or crusting. Judge fine lines at 6 months; improvement continues with ongoing nightly use and fades if you stop.
Treatment pathway
- 2Weeks 1-4
- Every other nightWeeks 5-8
- Every nightMonths 3-6
- Every nightOngoing
Reviews happen through your account chat; send photos in the same light each time.
See the full decision pathway
Your tretinoin pathway
Months 1-3
Build up to nightly
Start 2 or 3 nights a week, then every other night, then nightly as the skin adapts.
At 3 months, is the skin tolerating nightly use with improved texture and tone?
Yes
Continue nightly
Fine lines are judged at 6 months; benefits build with continued use.
No
Doctor review
Your doctor may keep you on alternate nights, check for eczema or rosacea, or reconsider the plan.
Months 1-3Long term
Maintain
Nightly tretinoin and daily SPF
The 2-year trial showed continued improvement with ongoing use; review at least yearly.
Pause
Planned breaks
Pause for pregnancy plans, procedures or strong sun exposure, and restart at a low frequency.
Reviews happen through your account chat; send photos in the same light each time.
Dose schedule
| Dose | When | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 nights a week | Weeks 1-4 | Pea-sized amount on dry skin; expect dryness and peeling. |
| Every other night | Weeks 5-8 | Increase only if the skin is calm between applications. |
| Every night | Months 3-6 | Texture improves first; fine lines are judged at 6 months. |
| Every night | Ongoing | Benefits depend on continued use; review at least yearly. |
Side effects
Local irritation
Mild redness, dryness, stinging or peeling can occur, especially at the start. Use a gentle moisturiser and follow the prescribed adjustment plan. Stop and seek advice if the reaction is marked or persistent.
Sun sensitivity and pigment change
Treated skin is more vulnerable to sunlight and may show temporary lighter or darker areas. Pause treatment after sunburn and resume only after recovery and clinical advice. Daily sunscreen is essential.
Do not use if
- You are allergic to tretinoin or an ingredient in the cream
- You are pregnant or trying to conceive; breastfeeding also requires an individual decision before starting
- You have a personal or family history of skin cancer, or take a photosensitising medicine, without specialist review
- The skin has active eczema, dermatitis, a wound, marked irritation or sunburn, or the verified age is outside the protocol range
When to contact your doctor
- Facial swelling, breathing difficulty, widespread blistering, eye pain, light sensitivity or altered vision: seek urgent medical care
- You become pregnant or think pregnancy is possible: stop tretinoin and contact your clinician
- Severe burning, swelling, blisters, cracks, crusts or persistent irritation, or a lesion that changes, bleeds or does not heal
Storage
Keep the tube tightly closed in its original package, out of children's reach. Follow the temperature and expiry instructions on the label and do not use the product after it expires.
What to expect
Texture, mottled pigmentation and fine lines change slowly. Improvement may begin after 3–4 months and take up to 6 months. Tretinoin has not been shown to correct deep wrinkles, yellowing, lentigines, telangiectasia or loss of elasticity, and peeling is not required for benefit.
Sources
Questions while you're on treatment?
Message your doctor in your private chat about side effects, doses or anything that worries you. Replies in under 2 hours on average.
- Follow up on your skin treatment in the chat
- Download your e-prescription
- Renewals reviewed by your doctor
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