What is the Difference Between Tretinoin and Isotretinoin

Acne occurs in people of all ages, but it can be especially seen in teenagers. It occurs when pores get clogged with oil and dead skin cells, sometimes leading to inflamed pimples. Acne can be treated with good hygiene practices and medications. Tretinoin and isotretinoin are two medications used to treat acne.

What is the difference between tretinoin and isotretinoin? Tretinoin treats mild to moderate acne, whereas isotretinoin treats severe acne.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Tretinoin 
      – Definition, Features, Uses
2. What is Isotretinoin
      – Definition, Features, Uses
3. Similarities Between Tretinoin and Isotretinoin
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Tretinoin and Isotretinoin
      – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Tretinoin and Isotretinoin
      – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Tretinoin, Isotretinoin, Acne

What is Tretinoin

Tretinoin is a topical medication used to treat acne. It is derived from vitamin A and works by accelerating skin cell turnover. Its structure consists of a long chain of carbon atoms with a carboxylic acid group on one end and a unique arrangement of double bonds. These double bonds give tretinoin its specific shape. This influences how it interacts with molecules in the skin. Tretinoin itself is a naturally occurring metabolite of vitamin A metabolism, but it can also be synthesized in a lab.

Dead skin cells, along with sebum (oil), can clog pores. This leads to breakouts. Tretinoin sheds these dead skin cells. It has anti-inflammatory properties, helping to calm existing pimples and prevent future inflammation. Tretinoin can also stimulate collagen production (collagen is a protein that keeps skin firm).

There are other benefits of tretinoin such as minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. It stimulates collagen and reduce the fine lines ad wrinkles. Tretinoin also can help fade sunspots and hyperpigmentation.

What is Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is a medication for treating severe cystic acne that hasn’t responded to other treatments. It shrinks sebaceous glands and reduces overall oil production. Isotretinoin has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to calm existing breakouts. It also regulates the skin cell renewal process.

Isotretinoin clears deep cysts and nodules. Isotretinoin reaches deeper layers of the skin and clear deep cysts and nodules. By preventing severe breakouts, isotretinoin minimizes the risk of acne scarring. However, it has some side effects, like depression, birth defects and dryness.

Similarities Between Tretinoin and Isotretinoin

1. They belong to the same class of medications derived from vitamin A.
2. Both are effective treatments for acne.
3. Both medications can help fade sunspots and hyperpigmentation.

Difference Between Tretinoin and Isotretinoin

Definition

• Tretinoin is a topical cream applied directly to the affected area, while isotretinoin is an oral medication taken in capsule or tablet form.

Type of Acne

• Tretinoin is effective for mild to moderate acne, whereas isotretinoin is reserved for severe cystic acne that hasn’t responded to other treatments.

Side Effects

• Tretinoin typically causes mild, temporary side effects like dryness, redness, and increased sun sensitivity. However, isotretinoin causes potentially serious side effects like birth defects, severe dryness, and risk of depression.

Availability

• Tretinoin is available by prescription from a dermatologist or sometimes through primary care physicians. Nevertheless, isotretinoin is only available through a controlled program due to its potential risks. Requires doctor visits and blood tests.

Conclusion

Tretinoin and isotretinoin are both medications for treating acne. Both belong to the same class of medications derived from vitamin A. However, there is a distinct difference between tretinoin and isotretinoin. Tretinoin treats mild to moderate acne, whereas isotretinoin treats severe acne.

FAQ: Tretinoin and Isotretinoin

1. What works better than tretinoin?

Tretinoin is a powerful retinoid, so there’s not necessarily something that works definitively “better.” But depending on situations such as sensitivity and goals some other retinoid also may be used.

2. Which is stronger, tretinoin or adapalene?

Tretinoin is generally considered stronger than adapalene in terms of effectiveness and strength. But it’s less irritating to the skin than tretinoin, and is better for those that have sensitive and easily irritated skin.

3. Can tretinoin remove acne scars?

Yes, tretinoin reduces the appearance of shallow acne scars, especially rolling ones. This is because it has the ability to boost collagen production and cell turnover.

4. Does isotretinoin lighten skin?

Isotretinoin can have an indirect effect on skin lightening. By increasing skin cell turnover, it may shed hyperpigmentation (dark spots) from past acne.

5. Is tretinoin the strongest retinoid?

Yes, tretinoin is generally considered the strongest retinoid available. It’s a prescription medication and works by directly converting to retinoic acid in the skin, delivering the most potent Yes, tretinoin (also known as retinoic acid) is generally considered the strongest retinoid available. It’s a prescription medication and works by directly converting to retinoic acid in the skin, delivering the most potent effects.

Reference:

1. “Isotretinoin.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Tretinoin.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Tretinoin structure” By Vaccinationist – PubChem (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Isotretinoin structure” By Vaccinationist – Isotretinoin on PubChem (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia