Tretinoin is a prescription drug, women mistakenly buy it and use it themselves, then suddenly... get dermatitis.

With only about two months left until the Year of the Horse 2026, many women are rushing to find skin care products for quick beauty, among which tretinoin suddenly became a "star" being advertised heavily on social networks.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Nam Phuong, Specialist in Aesthetic Surgery at Da Nang Dermatology Hospital, advises a patient - Photo: CHAU SA

The indiscriminate purchase and use of this dermatological medication has led many people to be hospitalized for severe burns and irritation.

Risks of self-medicating with tretinoin

At the end of the year, Da Nang Dermatology Hospital saw a rapid increase in the number of patients seeking treatment due to tretinoin use. Ms. TH (29 years old) recounted: "Seeing many posts on TikTok about how quickly skin improves with tretinoin, I bought a 0.1% tube online. Three days later, my face felt burning, red, peeling in patches, and swollen. That's when I panicked and went to the hospital."

Dr. Nguyen Thi Nam Phuong, a specialist in cosmetic surgery at Da Nang Dermatology Hospital, said that tretinoin is a very potent substance in the group of topical retinoids. This substance promotes skin cell renewal, reduces sebum production, and disperses pigmentation. It is often prescribed for the treatment of acne, some hyperkeratotic conditions, and some follicular and sebaceous gland disorders.

As Tet approaches, the demand for beauty increases, and the trends of "skin peeling" and "rapid skin change" spread rapidly on social networks. "Tretinoin is easy to buy, cheap, and shared by many famous people, so it is more easily abused," said Dr. Nam Phuong.

However, not all skin types are strong enough to withstand the harsh effects of this substance. Tretinoin can easily cause redness, burning, and peeling, especially on weakened skin, skin that has previously used low-quality cosmetics, or skin that has not been protected by sunscreen and appropriate moisturizers. Mild cases may take a few weeks to recover, while severe cases can take many months.

Tretinoin is not a cream; it's a prescription medication.

Speaking to Tuổi Trẻ newspaper, Dr. Nguyen Tien Thanh, a member of the Vietnam Dermatology Association, said that recently there have been many cases of irritant dermatitis, and even infections, due to the self-administration of tretinoin. Tretinoin is not a cream but a prescription drug, available in various concentrations. If used incorrectly, it can cause severe skin damage.

Recently, Dr. Thanh has received many cases of red, burning, peeling skin after using tretinoin without permission. Some cases of inflammatory acne outbreaks, weakened skin barrier, causing skin to sting, dry and easily infected.

Some people have experienced irritation from tretinoin and contact dermatitis from counterfeit products purchased online. This means the skin is damaged twice, first by the wrong concentration, and second by the poor quality of the product.

A recent case involved a woman in her late 30s who bought a tretinoin-containing product worth several million dong at a spa. "After applying it for three days, her face turned bright red, burned, and oozed fluid. The spa staff advised her to 'keep applying it to renew her skin,' which only worsened the damage. In the end, she had to take time off work to see a doctor because her skin was severely damaged," Dr. Thanh shared.

Two patients suffered from dermatitis due to self-administering tretinoin at the wrong dosage - Photo: Provided by the hospital - CHAU SA

Three common mistakes

According to Dr. Nam Phuong, patients often make three common mistakes when using tretinoin. Some people use it for the wrong purpose when they do not understand what treatment they are using, just want to "get their skin peeled to be beautiful quickly", following word-of-mouth advice on the internet.

Another mistake is using the wrong concentration or dosage. Tretinoin on the market typically has concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 0.25%. The choice of concentration and frequency of application must be prescribed by a doctor. Increasing the concentration on your own can easily cause severe irritation.

In addition, many skins have been damaged due to using unsafe cosmetics, mixed creams... when exposed to tretinoin, the burning and redness reactions are often more severe.

Doctor Nam Phuong recommends: "When irritation occurs due to using tretinoin, the first thing to do is to immediately stop using all products, only wash your face with mild products, avoid acids or products with abrasive particles on the skin.

Apply sunscreen at least twice a day. Increase moisturizing with soothing and restorative products. See a dermatologist if irritation doesn't improve and absolutely do not follow online tips, to avoid the risk of infection and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Dr. Nguyen Anh Khoa, Deputy Head of the Department of Aesthetic Surgery at Da Nang Dermatology Hospital, further explained the mechanism of action of tretinoin. Tretinoin binds to the RAR receptor in the cell nucleus, helping to regulate the keratin differentiation cycle and regenerate skin. "To ensure safety, users should consult a dermatologist for advice on suitable products and proper usage instructions," Dr. Khoa noted.

For those wishing to improve their skin before Tet (Lunar New Year), Dr. Khoa emphasizes that the most important thing is to assess the skin's health, including its moisture level, elasticity, sensitivity, and whether there is any inflammation, allergies, or infection. If unsure, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist before starting any cosmetic procedure.

Once the skin has stabilized and there are no underlying conditions, the next step is to identify the issues that need improvement. Common concerns include skin pigmentation (dark spots, melasma), enlarged pores, fine wrinkles, acne scars, or multiple issues simultaneously. Depending on the case, the doctor will develop a suitable treatment plan, which may include topical treatments, laser therapy, chemical peels, microneedling, or a combination of methods.

Dr. Khoa also noted that for skin recovering after cosmetic procedures, the most important principle is to strictly follow the doctor's instructions, such as resting and limiting exposure to environments that can easily cause infection, applying antibiotic creams or ointments as prescribed, and properly moisturizing and protecting the skin.

Once the injury has healed, you can combine additional regenerative support products, anti-scar creams, growth factor injections or stem cells if appropriate. Return for check-ups on time and notify early if there are any unusual signs.

To look beautiful for Tet (Lunar New Year), you need to start by understanding your skin.

According to doctors, if you want to improve your skin before Tet, the most important thing is to know your skin condition such as acne or melasma, oily or dry skin, sensitive or damaged.

"The doctor will analyze the skin with a machine, evaluate the skin's protective barrier, and then come up with a suitable treatment plan such as pre-recovery or immediate treatment. Each person has a different skin type, and you cannot use a general formula passed down by word of mouth online. And no matter what method of beauty treatment you use, you need the guidance of a specialist.

In reality, many people use expensive products but apply them wrongly, combine them wrongly, and end up with ruined skin. Especially, beauty is a process, you cannot follow the mentality of wanting to be beautiful quickly to celebrate Tet," Dr. Thanh emphasized.

Dr. Thanh said that regarding quick beauty treatments during the Lunar New Year season, there are many solutions such as laser treatments, skin infusions, lifting technologies, wrinkle removal, etc., all of which must be prescribed by a doctor to avoid complications. However, skin recovery cannot be achieved overnight; it requires a process of consistent care. Daily skincare is extremely important for healthy and beautiful skin.

The higher the concentration, the greater the risk.

According to Dr. Thanh, tretinoin is available in common concentrations such as 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1%. The higher the concentration, the greater the likelihood of peeling and irritation. "Many first-time users immediately choose the 0.05% or 0.1% concentration thinking it will work faster. But concentrations that are too high can cause severe skin reactions. Beginners should only start with a very low concentration and must be prescribed by a doctor," Dr. Thanh said.

Additionally, common mistakes include applying too much product, using it continuously every night, combining it with AHA/BHA or chemical peels, which can overload the skin. Inadequate sun protection is also a cause of skin darkening, inflammation, and even infection.

He recommends that if you want to use tretinoin, you must be examined, properly instructed, fully protected from the sun and moisturized throughout the use.

CHAU SA - DUONG LIEU

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tretinoin-la-thuoc-ke-don-chi-em-ngo-nhan-tu-mua-su-dung-roi-ran-ran-viem-da-20251209234205691.htm