Which Is Better For Your Skin: Tretinoin Or Laser Treatments? by Which Is Better For Your Skin: Tretinoin Or Laser Treatments?There are several ways to treat fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots that show signs of aging. It can be difficult to choose what's the right treatment for you or what the difference between all of them even is. Two options that are highly recommended by dermatologists and skincare experts are topical tretinoin treatments and lasers. Tretinoin Tretinoin is the most studied anti-aging treatment out there. It is the only anti-aging drug approved by the FDA to treat wrinkles and fine lines, and studies have proven that tretinoin really does work. It's an active ingredient that can help turnover our skin cells and boost collagen production to give us smoother, firmer, and younger-looking skin. Dermatologists rave about tretinoin, with 10/10 of them personally using tretinoin on their own skin. Because retinoids like tretinoin can make your skin burn more easily, you'll need to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen and wear protective clothing daily. Retinoids may cause redness, dryness, itching, and a burning or tingling sensation— but those side effects with subside after several weeks of use. Laser, light source and radiofrequency treatments In ablative (wounding) laser resurfacing, a laser beam destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and heats the underlying skin (dermis), stimulating the growth of new collagen fibers. As the wound heals, smoother, tighter skin forms. It can take up to several months to fully heal from ablative laser resurfacing. Risks include scarring and lightening or darkening of skin color. Other laser techniques, such as nonablative laser fractional resurfacing, have decreased healing time and reduced risks, but those lasers are better suited for people with moderate wrinkles because the results are subtle. Plus, these types of lasers need to be repeated more often than ablative treatments. Overall, both treatments are successful in reducing lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. However, laser treatments have a longer recovery time and there are more risks involved. Talk to your doctor about which treatment may be right for you before you make any decision.Source: A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology - 18 Nov 2015)