About Obagi Tretinoin

Obagi skin care products are famous for their powerful results improving acne, removing brown facial blemishes and acne scars and reducing fine wrinkles.

Obagi Tretinoin Cream is used to supplement Obagi treatments to help remove stubborn dark skin blemishes, treat acne breakouts, fade old acne scars, and further work on fine lines and wrinkles. Obagi Tretinoin is sold in the following strength concentrations: 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1%.

How Tretinoin Works

Obagi Tretinoin is a prescription-strength product made from the acidic form of Vitaman A. When applied to the skin it causes old skin cells to die and new skin cells to form at a faster than normal rate.

The new skin cells that form don’t have the excessive pigmentation that cause dark spots and acne scars (hyperpigmentation) or dark blotches known as melasma when the cover portions of the face. The new cells also are free of excessive oil and clogged pores and follicles, which are the leading causes of acne.

Tretinoin Use Combined with Obagi Systems

Tretinoin cream or gel can be used by itself to treat blemishes or wrinkles. In addition, three Obagi systems sometimes recommend Obagi Tretinoin to help remove remaining dark spots for a smooth, clear, final result. The three Obagi systems are Obagi Nu Derm, Obagi Condition and Enhance and Obagi ELASTIderm Décolletage System.

Obagi Nu-Derm System Use of Tretinoin

The Nu-Derm system promotes tight, clear skin by promoting the replacement of old damaged skin cells with new firm, clear cells. Sometimes toward the end of a Nu-Derm application period very dark spots will lighten but not disappear completely. In these cases the Nu-Derm patient might be advised to use Tretinoin to spot treat those particular areas to get rid of any final pigmentation so the result is clear skin.

Obagi Condition and Enhance and Tretinoin

The Obagi Condition and Enhance is a line of products designed to be used to enhance the benefits of other dermatological procedures like chemical peels, laser treatments, Botox, cosmetic surgeries and dermal filler. Obagi Tretinoin is sometimes recommended to speed up the lightening of heavily pigmented skin or replacement of sun damaged areas before or after the other procedures.

Obagi Tretinoin Cream and Obagi ELASTIderm Décolletage

The Obagi ELASTIderm Décolletage products remedy the long term effects of too much sun on the chest where significant spotting and wrinkling can occur because people often neglect to add enough sunscreen there.

There are only two products in this line, Obagi ELASTIderm Décolletage Skin Lightening Complex, which treats the sun spots on the chest, and Obagi ELASTIderm Décolletage Wrinkle Reducing Lotion which promotes collagen growth to restore elasticity and reduce wrinkles. Obagi Tretinoin can be used during both product stages to accelerate skin growth in conjunction with the other ingredients in the products.

Obagi Tretinoin is sold as an Obagi-branded cream or gel or as the Refissa Tretinoin Emollient Cream brand.

Proper Use and Precautions When Using Tretinoin

Based on FDA findings and our research, we discovered that drug tretinoin is considered relatively safe with only minor side effects appearing in some users. Recommended application procedures are to apply once a day at night to affected areas, wash hands after handling product.

In some users swelling, itching burning or redness might occur. To reduce uncomfortable effects it’s recommended that smaller amounts be applied initially to allow the skin to get used to it and then increasing doses up to recommended maximum. Patients should be careful to follow their physician’s recommendations when beginning a round of treatment.

Use Sunscreen

Use of Obagi Tretinoin Cream makes skin vulnerable to extreme sunburn therefore sunscreen should be applied daily. And since Tretinoin is used to reduce melanin, the part of the cell that holds pigmentation obtained from sunlight, it makes further sense to limit sun exposure by wearing a hat or other protective clothing or limiting outdoor activities.

Don’t Wax Affected Areas

Also, tretinoin causes skin layers to be thin as new cells are created,and waxing of skin in treated areas should be avoided to reduce the risk of the painful loss of additional top skin layers.

Start with Low Dose and Small Test Area

Common suggestions we uncovered are to start by applying a small amount over a small area or beginning with the 0.025% strength which is the lowest dosage formula to reduce initial discomfort. Consultation with your physician is strongly recommended to determine the best treatment plan and to monitor progress.

Initial Results and Rate of Progress

New users commonly report initial discomfort and sometimes advice was given by their doctor to reduce application frequency or amount or to with to a lower dose. In many cases users were able to continue treatment once their skin adjusted to the medicine.

Another import finding is that it can require several weeks to a few months for some spots to disappear completely. For deeper wrinkles the treatment may need to continue for up to a few months to get desired results.

Not For Use By Pregnant or Nursing Women

Women who are pregnant or at high risk of becoming pregnant and nursing mothers should not use Obagi Tretinoin.

Obagi Tretinoin Summary

Based on our research it appears that when used correctly Obagi Tretinoin is an effective way to remove dark spots on skin and reduce fine wrinkles. Other important findings are to use Tretinoin according to the manufacturer’s instructions and to follow a doctor’s recommendations.