Tretinoin is a medication used to treat acne and acute promyelocytic leukemia. It is also known as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). It is applied to the skin as a cream, gel, or ointment to treat acne. It is taken orally for up to three months to treat leukemia. Topical tretinoin is the most thoroughly researched retinoid therapy for photoaging.
Tretinoin is most commonly used to treat inflammatory and noninflammatory acne. Numerous studies back up the effectiveness of topical retinoids in treating acne vulgaris. It is sometimes combined with other topical acne medications to improve their penetration. Retinoids, in addition to treating active acne, hasten the resolution of acne-induced postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
