Category Archives: Retin-A

Retin-A (Tretinoin) and Hair Growth

Retin-A (generic drug ingredient name Tretinoin) is a Vitamin A derivative that is primarily used as an acne medication. It is also used to combat wrinkles and skin aging via stimulating collagen production. Dermatologists love Retin-A, which is sometimes referred to as all-trans retinoic acid.

Retin-A and Minoxidil for Hair Growth

Retin-A Cream
Retin-A Cream.

For many years, some people have used Retin-A in tandem with Minoxidil (brand name Rogaine) for hair growth purposes. Numerous hair loss sufferers and a number of studies suggest that this combination treatment with Retin-A results in superior hair growth results.

In fact one such study in support of Tretinoin and hair growth just came out recently in April 2019. Some of the authors of this study are highly renowned in the hair loss world. Tretinoin enhances the effectiveness of Minoxidilin androgenetic alopecia patients by upregulating follicular sulfotransferase enzymes.

Even studies from decades ago have found Retin-A to benefit hair growth.

Blog reader “Quentin” is an especially good responder to this Tretinoin and Minoxidil combination treatment per one of his comments from last year.

“Admin, would you consider doing a post on tretinoin? I have tried so many different types of minoxidil cocktails and they all make my hair worse. Every time I go back to the minoxidil and treninoin mix almost all my hair comes back within a few months. It is the ONLY thing that works for me and I don’t understand why more people do not know about it.”

In my post on extra strength Minoxidil, blog reader “Peewee” posted the following interesting comment:

“I’m 47 and used dr Lee’s xandrox for many years. I was in my 20’s and had lost my temples and was getting comments that my crown was thinning and .25 mg per day finasteride plus 5% xandrox night and day formula grew it all back. I have no picture proof but his products were the best, amazing results. The night minox had the retin-a and the morning didn’t but they both had azelaic acid. The theory was that the retin-a would peel some skin over night and morning dose would have better absorption. It was a sad day when he was shut down, those were my best hair days ever.”

Note that prescription Retin-A is different from the weaker non-prescription Retinol. This whole class of chemicals is known as retinoids. Also of interest, the Reddit for Tretinoin has almost 12,000 members at the time of writing this post.

Retin-A Side Effects

Retin-A (Tretinoin) can have an number of side effects, including: excessive skin dryness; flaking; increased skin sensitivity and irritation; pigment changes; and, in rare anecdotal reports, even hair loss.