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When it comes to skincare, if you ask a dermatologist the treatment they would recommend without pause, almost all of them will likely tell you that retinoids (vitamin A derivatives like retinol) are their desert island pick. Retinoids are one of the most researched-backed actives that derms and estheticians swear by for a slew of different skincare concerns, including acne, fading dark spots, ironing out the look of fine lines, and refining pores.
There are thousands of solid over-the-counter retinol formulas on the market available in a wide range of strengths, suspensions, and price points, but prescription retinoids—tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, etc.)—are the most effective if you’re looking to see quick results. If you want to find out how to get a tretinoin prescription online, you’ve come to the right place. Though bear in mind that RX-strength retinoids do come with their fair share of side effects, including dryness, flakiness, and irritation referred to by estheticians and dermatologists as the “retinization process,” and by Redditors and TikTokers, “the retinol purge.”
Retinoids refer to the umbrella of actives comprised of different types of chemical compounds derived from vitamin A, including retinol (whether it be drugstore or luxury products, most over-the-counter products contain retinol), retinaldehyde, and tretinoin, to name a few. Each of these variations provides different strength levels and suspension formulas, which are often used to counteract the potential irritation posed by the vitamin A actives. A dermatologist or physician can guide you to the best formula for your skin type and goals—and can help you assess the level and duration of retinization side effects you’re willing to ensure. With that being said, however, prescription-strength tretinoin is the most potent form of vitamin A derivatives and, therefore, typically delivers the quickest results
Tretinoin has an unparalleled history of proven efficacy in trials and is backed by ample clinical research, making it the go-to treatment recommendation for many skincare pros. Tretinoin first made its debut back in the ’70s, and while it was initially formulated to treat acne, patients, and dermatologists quickly noticed that the prescription formula offered a laundry list of off-label skin-enhancing “side effects,” including softening fine lines, reducing texture, fading spots from sun damage, and shrinking the look of enlarged pores.
Whether you’re not currently enrolled in an insurance plan that covers dermatology or would prefer to avoid a pricey trip to the derm (or are just kind of lazy like me!), you’ll be pleased to know that there is now plenty of legal and legitimate online dermatologist-back telehealth services that allow you to be assessed remotely by a dermatologist and potentially obtain a script for tretinoin and other prescription skincare products, including Latisse, topical steroids, and more. Scroll through below to check out the best affordable online dermatology services.
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