Early in my first year of dermatology residency, something funny happened..
A few senior residents pulled us first-years aside. Not during lecture. Not in a formal meeting. Just quietly, almost conspiratorially.
They leaned in and said one word: “Retinoids.”
I had already finished medical school and my intern year. I spent years studying medicine. And yet, I had no idea how foundational retinoids were in dermatology, and I sadly wasn’t yet using one on myself.
That moment stuck with me.
I felt like I was being handed a foundational principle of proactive skincare. If Curly from City Slickers was a dermatologist instead of a cowboy, this would have been his ‘One Thing.’
I couldn’t believe it took me so long to learn about it.
The Dermatologist’s Best Friend
Retinoids, vitamin A-derived medications like tretinoin and adapalene, are among the most studied tools we have for:
- Treating and preventing acne
- Stimulating collagen production
- Softening fine lines and wrinkles
- Improving uneven skin tone
- Battling dark spots
And yet, many people have never learned about them, let alone had the opportunity to give ‘em a spin.
Or, and I see this all the time, they tried once, experienced dryness and irritation, and stopped before getting to see the fruits of their labor, assuming their skin simply ‘can’t handle it.’
It’s not because their skin can’t handle it.
It’s because no one truly took them aside and showed them the way.
The Missing Piece
Retinoids are powerful. But they require a method and a trusted guide.
Start too quickly or with too potent a brew, you’ll likely experience an unnecessary amount of dryness, irritation, and frustration.
Thoughtfully and gradually incorporate it into your routine, you’ll gain the clarity and confidence to transform your skin without a shelf full of trendy products.
Given what I experienced, I don’t assume anyone ‘should already know’ this or can simply ‘figure it out’ once I write the prescription and advise them to ‘start slowly.’
After all, I made it all the way to dermatology residency before someone leaned in and shared it with me.
There’s a saying about planting trees:
- The best time was 20 years ago.
- The second best time is today.
The same is true for retinoids.
Paying It Forward
Every specialty surely has its foundational parallels to this, the principles quietly passed down from those who came before.
I’m grateful someone shared this one with me.
And I’m grateful I get to share it with you.
If you’ve tried a topical retinoid and eventually gave up, it doesn’t necessarily mean it wasn’t for you. It may simply mean you weren’t equipped with the right knowledge and guidance.
We can fix that.
Later this year, I’ll be opening enrollment for a limited 20-member Founding Cohort of The Retinoid Method, a structured, dermatologist-led program designed to help people use prescription retinoids successfully and confidently.
If you’re curious, text RETINOIDS to 715-391-9774.
Sometimes the most powerful tools in medicine aren’t new. They’re just waiting to be used the right way. Let us show you how.
