The following side effects are expected to occur in the first few weeks of using tretinoin. These side effects usually decrease with continued use of tretinoin. Contact your doctor if these symptoms are severe and/or do not go away:
How Common (based on clinical studies)
| Dryness of skin | Up to 68% of all users |
| Skin warmth and/or redness | Up to 64% of all users |
| Burning or stinging sensation | Up to 55% of all users |
| Peeling, scaling, or flaky skin | Up to 52% of all users |
| Skin tightness | Up to 43% of all users |
| Itching | Up to 35% of all users |
| Skin irritation, blistering, and/or crusting | Up to 35% of all users |
| Discoloration of skin | Up to 35% of all users |
| Sunburn / Photosensitivity | Up to 3.8% of all users |
| Increase in acne lesions | Up to 0.7% of all users |
| Increased risk of skin infection | Up to 0.3% of all users |
Tretinoin may cause some side effects that are serious. If you experience any of the following uncommon side effects, get in touch with your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
- A sudden appearance of swelling and rash (known as hives)
- Severe itching
- Severe local discomfort or pain
Tretinoin may also cause other side effects that are not mentioned here. Contact your doctor if you experience any other troublesome symptoms when using tretinoin.
References
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