Show patients their result before they treat.
Vitamin A's gold-standard actives that speed cell turnover to smooth lines, clear acne, and even tone.
Sarah Jenkins
Plan • Skin Treatment
Recommended Protocol
Retinoids
Tretinoin • Nightly, ongoing
Maintenance & Follow-Up
Ongoing plan
Retinoids are vitamin A actives — from retinol to prescription tretinoin — that speed cell turnover and stimulate collagen, smoothing fine lines, refining texture, clearing acne, and fading dark spots. They're the most research-backed topical for aging and breakouts. Results build over weeks of nightly use, with mild dryness or purging early on.
Retinoids — from over-the-counter retinol to prescription tretinoin and retinal — are vitamin A derivatives that accelerate skin-cell turnover and stimulate collagen, making them the most evidence-backed topical for aging and acne. With consistent use they smooth fine lines, refine texture and pores, fade dark spots and post-acne marks, and keep breakouts in check. Strength is dialed to the skin's tolerance, and results build over weeks to months of nightly use.
For a practice, retinoids are the anchor of any medical-grade home regimen — a trust-building retail recommendation that protects and extends in-office results and drives repeat product revenue. The barrier is the early purging and dryness that makes patients quit too soon. Educating on a gradual ramp-up and pairing the recommendation with a visual of the long-term payoff is what keeps patients consistent and loyal to the regimen.
Retinoids
Category
Skin Treatment
Typical cadence
Nightly, ongoing
Downtime
Mild dryness, flaking, or purging in the first weeks.
Typical range
Retail product (OTC retinol to prescription strength)
From in-clinic procedures to at-home regimens, Afters maps the full range of options — so patients can see what each one would do for them, on their own photo, before they commit.
Branded injectables, medical supplies, and products used for this treatment.
Each concern maps to its full range of options — and lets patients preview their result before they commit.
Small, shallow wrinkles that show up first around the eyes, mouth, and forehead.
Explore concernClogged pores, breakouts, and inflammation on the face, chest, or back.
Explore concernPits, raised marks, and discoloration left behind after breakouts heal.
Explore concernSmoothing rough, uneven, or bumpy facial skin for a refined, radiant complexion.
Explore concernVisibly dilated pores and dark, clogged blackheads that make skin look rough and uneven.
Explore concernPatchy discoloration, blotchiness, and dark spots that leave the complexion looking uneven and lacking clarity.
Explore concernDarkened patches and spots from excess melanin caused by sun, inflammation, or hormones.
Explore concernFlat brown spots and age spots from years of cumulative sun exposure.
Explore concernBrown or gray-brown patches on the face triggered by sun, hormones, and heat.
Explore concernCommon questions patients ask about retinoids — and what practices should be ready to answer.
Tretinoin is a prescription-strength retinoid that works faster. Retinol is a gentler over-the-counter form the skin converts more slowly — effective with consistent use and easier to tolerate.
Retinoids speed up cell turnover, which can temporarily bring underlying breakouts to the surface faster. This usually settles within a few weeks as the skin adjusts.
Begin a few nights a week with a pea-sized amount, buffer with moisturizer, and build up frequency as tolerated. Always use sunscreen, since retinoids increase sun sensitivity.
Yes — commonly vitamin C in the morning and a retinoid at night. Introduce one product at a time so your skin adjusts without over-irritation.
Patients rarely come in for just one thing. Browse other treatments Afters can visualize and plan.
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View treatmentProfessional acid exfoliation that resurfaces the skin to even tone and smooth texture.
View treatmentBroad-spectrum protection that prevents sun damage, pigmentation, and aging — the foundation of every skin plan.
View treatmentAfters simulates the outcome on a patient's own photo and builds a visual 12-month plan — so consults convert and average ticket climbs.