If you've started tretinoin and your skin suddenly looks worse — please don't stop. That might actually be a sign it's working.
One of the most common mistakes I see in my patients is quitting during the purge. Here's what's actually happening: tretinoin speeds up cell turnover, which helps unclog pores and fight acne. But in the process, it can surface subclinical acne — breakouts that were already forming under the skin — all at once. So it feels like your skin is going backward when it's actually clearing out.
This purging phase typically lasts about four to eight weeks. It's normal. It's temporary. And it's your skin making room for something better.
I'll take you through all five of the most common tretinoin mistakes in the full episode — link in bio to listen on The Skin Real. 🎙️
#tretinoin #skinbarrier #dermatologist
One of the most common mistakes I see in my patients is quitting during the purge. Here's what's actually happening: tretinoin speeds up cell turnover, which helps unclog pores and fight acne. But in the process, it can surface subclinical acne — breakouts that were already forming under the skin — all at once. So it feels like your skin is going backward when it's actually clearing out.
This purging phase typically lasts about four to eight weeks. It's normal. It's temporary. And it's your skin making room for something better.
I'll take you through all five of the most common tretinoin mistakes in the full episode — link in bio to listen on The Skin Real. 🎙️
#tretinoin #skinbarrier #dermatologist