An adolescent female calls the clinic with concerns that her acne is worse one week after starting topical tretinoin. What would be the appropriate care for her?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tretinoin, a topical retinoid, is known to potentially worsen acne during the first few weeks of treatment as it speeds up the cycle of skin cell turnover. This initial worsening is often referred to as "purging" and is considered a normal part of the treatment process. Patients are usually advised to continue using the medication as the condition improves over time.

An Adolescent Female Calls the Clinic with Concerns That Her