You will be most probably supposed to apply Retin-A once a day before going to bed. If you happened to miss an application – resume the treatment on the next day, but try to make sure you do not miss too many applications, as this can affect the efficiency of Retin-A. When applying Retin-A make sure you avoid getting any of this medicine into your eyes, and if something like that happens, make sure you wash the area affected with plenty of water. Your skin is not supposed to be chapped, dry, irritated, wind burned or broken. It’s recommended to wait until the condition of your skin improves to apply Retin-A. Never apply Retin-A to skin affected by eczema and any wounds. Please make sure you use this medicine for as long as prescribed, even if you think it is not working properly for you. In fact, it may take you several weeks to notice the first significant results of the treatment, all that provided that you apply Retin-A exactly as prescribed without missing any doses. The condition of your acne may get worse at first, but this just means this medicine is working properly for you. However, make sure you contact your health care provider in case the condition of your skin does not improve after 3-4 months of the treatment – this is the period some people may need to benefit from taking Retin-A.
Do not use more of this medicine than prescribed, as this is not going to intensify its effects. In fact, it can only increase the side effects of Retin-A and reduce the efficiency of your treatment. You will need to apply this medicine using clean hands. Wash them with some soap before applying Retin-A and dry with a towel. The area you are going to apply this medicine to is also supposed to be clean and dry. If you apply Retin-A to wet skin, it can cause irritation. Apply Retin-A in a thin layer and do not wash the area to which you applied Retin-A for another hour after that. During this hour also avoid using any other treatments to prevent interactions. Whether or not you will be allowed to use make-up depends on the severity of your acne and other factors. Do not apply make up unless your health care provider thinks it’s not going to affect the success of your treatment, and always make sure you read all the information available about the make-up you are going to use. Certain kinds of make-up are not supposed to be used, especially on the area affected, as they can interfere with the process of sebum production and make Retin-A less efficient. You can discuss the problem of applying make-up with your health care provider to make sure you are using only products that are completely safe and are not likely to worsen your acne. Please make sure you also follow any recommendations of your doctor concerning your lifestyle – the foods you eat etc. It’s also a good idea to use a separate towel to dry your face after washing it. To avoid irritation, make sure you pat dry your skin instead of rubbing it. Avoid using soaps and other products of the kind that may be too harsh and can worsen your acne.