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Tretinoin

also Retin-A

Vitamin A retinoid cream, prescribed for acne

Tretinoin, also known as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), is a medication used for the treatment of acne and acute promyelocytic leukemia. For acne, it is applied to the skin as a cream, gel or ointment. For acute promyelocytic leukemia, it is effective only when the RARA-PML fusion mutation is present and is taken by mouth for up to three months. Topical tretinoin is also the most extensively investigated retinoid therapy for photoaging.

Information, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed doctor or pharmacist before starting or changing a treatment.

Research 10

  1. Topical tretinoin for hair growth promotionJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 1986 · 91 citations
  2. An Updated Review of Topical Tretinoin in Dermatology: From Acne and Photoaging to Skin CancerJournal of Clinical Medicine · 2025 · 9 citations
  3. Efficacy of 5% Minoxidil versus Combined 5% Minoxidil and 0.01% Tretinoin for Male Pattern Hair LossAmerican Journal of Clinical Dermatology · 2007 · 65 citations
  4. Cancer-Related Alopecia Risk and TreatmentCurrent Treatment Options in Oncology · 2025 · 10 citations
  5. Promotive Effect of Minoxidil Combined with All-trans Retinoic Acid (tretinoin) on Human Hair Growth in VitroJournal of Korean Medical Science · 2007 · 55 citations
  6. Efficacy of Topical Tretinoin and Topical Minoxidil Cotherapy in Androgenetic Alopecia: A ReviewSkin Appendage Disorders · 2026 · 1 citation
  7. Towards Dissecting the Pathogenesis of Retinoid-Induced Hair Loss: All-Trans Retinoic Acid Induces Premature Hair Follicle Regression (Catagen) by Upregulation of Transforming Growth Factor-β2 in the Dermal PapillaJournal of Investigative Dermatology · 2005 · 113 citations
  8. Acne and Its ManagementPediatrics in Review · 2013 · 16 citations
  9. Promotive Effect of Topical Ketoconazole, Minoxidil, and Minoxidil with Tretinoin on Hair Growth in Male MiceISRN Pharmacology (Print) · 2014 · 22 citations
  10. Allergic and irritant contact dermatitis compared in the treatment of alopecia totalis and universalis. A comparison of the value of topical diphencyprone and tretinoin gelBritish Journal of Dermatology · 1989 · 37 citations
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Posts 20

  1. Has anyone managed to get topical tretinoin prescribed in Canada?Reddit · 3 Feb 2026
  2. Can we once and for all clarify whether tretinoin helps or hurts hair?Reddit · 27 Nov 2020
  3. Has anyone here actually gotten positive results using minoxidil + tretinoin?Reddit · 16 Nov 2025
  4. How are you guys using tretinoin on your scalp?Reddit · 14 Dec 2022
  5. folligenz liposomal minoxidil sulfateReddit · 2 Apr 2026
  6. Tretinoin for some men(not all) can cause non-telogen effluvium hair lossReddit · 13 Jul 2025
  7. M25: Getting way too many DMs, so let’s do this here! AMA about Male Pattern Baldness, Hair Loss, and Products (100% Science-Backed )Reddit · 15 Apr 2026
  8. Tretinoin in Androgenic AlopeciaReddit · 7 Mar 2023
  9. Any success with minoxidil once a day?Reddit · 13 Feb 2026
  10. Tretinoin, any good, what’s your experienceReddit · 30 May 2024
  11. Topical dutasteride results 7 weeks progressReddit · 20 May 2026
  12. Has anyone ACTUALLY used Tretinoin to turn themselves into a Minoxidil responder?Reddit · 13 May 2026
  13. Why everyone should be using topical DutasterideReddit · 8 Jun 2026
  14. What kind of tretinoin should i get?Reddit · 11 Dec 2025
  15. 5 montsh of treatment with min-finReddit · 11 Jun 2026
  16. Has anybody tried retinol (not Retin A aka tretinoin) combined with minoxidil?Reddit · 20 Sept 2022
  17. Topical Dutasteride 0.1% 3 MonthsReddit · 29 Jun 2026
  18. Is Tretinoin (.1%) + Topica Dutasteride (.1%) + Ketoconazole (2%) in one topical solution safe?Reddit · 13 Jan 2023
  19. Can I use adapalene instead of tretinoin for minoxidil absorption?Reddit · 27 Dec 2025
  20. Tretinoin and Minoxidil effectivenessReddit · 23 Sept 2025
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