Retrieve is a prescription-only cream containing a type of Vitamin A called Tretinoin.
Retrieve works in three ways to regenerate photodamaged skin. Doctors prescribe Retrieve to treat dry, sun damaged skin and related conditions referred to as photodamage. Retrieve works by:
- Smoothing and regenerating skin
- Lightening mottled hyperpigmentation
- Reducing wrinkles associated with sun damage
Tretinion was introduced over 30 years ago and its use includes the treatment of photoaging and hyperpigmentation. Tretinion also helps slough away dead skin cells. Allowing new cells to rise to the surface more efficiently, thus stimulation collagen production and help reverse the signs of sun damage. Although tretinion will not reverse the effects of normal chronological aging, it can help reverse the effects of photoaging.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Prescription only
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Private script
This is a private script, and it is not eligible for government PBS subsidy. The cost of this may be claimed from private health insurance providers depending on the level of cover.
Dose
Apply to the affected area(s) ONCE daily before going to bed.
Active Ingredient
Tretinoin 0.5 mg/g
Available Strengths
50g
Side effects
Can include redness, skin peeling, slight stinging, feeling of warmth on the skin
The dose provided is from the
consumer medicines information leaflet.Always follow the doctors direction when using prescription medication.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they continue to worry you:
- redness of skin• feeling of warmth on skin
- peeling of skin
- slight stinging
- darkening or lightening of the treated areas
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following as you may need urgent medical care:
- excessive irritation• severe burning
- the skin becomes very sensitive to light
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop, cosmetics or any other skin preparations.
Do not take if you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed
- cetyl alcohol
- isopropyl palmitate
- glyceryl stearate
- sorbitan monostearate
- polysorbate
- disodium edetate
- tocopheryl acetate
Do not use if allergic to any medicine containing tretinoin, isotretinoin or vitamin A.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing or difficulty in breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- rash, itching or hives on the skin
- Sunlight/Solarium - avoid exposure of the treated area to excessive sunlight or overuse of a sunlamp because your skin may be more prone to sunburn whilst usingRetrieve. When exposed to sunlight use at least a 30+ SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen and wear protective clothing over the treated areas.
- **Strong Wind/Dry Air** - These may cause skin discomfort. Apply moisturiser or emollient if this occurs. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about suitable wind protection if you notice any unusual rash or redness.
- Cosmetics - Check with your doctor or pharmacist which cosmetics, perfumed toiletries or astringents (e.g. aftershave, skin toner), especially those containing high concentration of alcohol, spices, lime, menthol. Wash any cosmetics off any affected areas before you apply Retrieve.
- Washing your face - Avoid using harsh soaps or exfoliants. Use a mild bland soap, or any suitable soap free cleansers. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if your skin preparations contain peeling agents (e.g. resorcinol, sulphur, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide).
Do not take this medicine by mouth.
Before you use
Retrieve Cream - Tretinoin
(
Tretinoin 0.5 mg/g
)
, it is important that you read the consumer medicines information leaflet for information including side effects, warnings, dosage, ingredients and other useful information.
Only use Retrieve at night, on intact skin and avoiding open wounds or skin affected by eczema or sunburnt area. Only a 1-2 cm (pea size) is required for each application. Avoid contact with your eyes, mouth, lips, angles of the nose. Before applying Retrieve, wash face with mild. We recommend using a non-occlusive moisturiser after application of Retrieve, as needed, to sooth areas of dry, flaky skin
The sandwich method of Tretinoin use essentially means that you are going to apply your moisturizer before and after your retinoid, essentially making the Tretinoin the “meat” or “peanut butter” of your sandwich.
Like all medicines Retrieve cream can have some side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Side effects more commonly experienced are dry skin, skin peeling, skin flaking, a slight burning sensation, and increased sensitivity to sunlight.The condition may worsen in the first two weeks of treatment before improving, this is a normal and expected effect.
Do not use this medicine in or around the eyes or lips, or inside of the nose. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If it accidentally gets on these areas, wash with water at once. Before applying Retrieve tretinoin, wash the skin with a mild soap or cleanser and warm water by using the tips of your fingers.
Tretinoin and azelaic acid make a great combination, because azelaic acid can enhance the effects of tretinoin when used to treat acne, pigmentation and brighten skin in general.
Always check the advise of your doctor on your dosing regimen. The standard dosing regimen from official CMI is as belowFirst night – Apply, leave on for 5 minutes, then wash off.Second night – Apply, leave on for 10 minutes, then wash off.Third night – Apply, leave on for 30 minutes, then wash off.Fourth night – Apply, leave on for one hour, then wash off.Fifth night – Apply, leave on for one and a half hours, then wash off.Sixth night – Apply, leave on for two hours, then wash off.If, after a two-hour application, no redness or irritation has developed on the skin the following day, then the application may be left on overnight and washed off next morning.If there is redness or irritation, check with your doctor.Your doctor will observe how your skin responds to treatment, and how well it can tolerate the medication. If excessive skin reactions occur, your doctor may adjust the application to alternate nights or temporarily discontinue treatment. Therefore contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms (such as a rash) during treatment.
You can buy Retrieve cream from any pharmacy with a valid Australian prescription. You may also buy Retrieve cream from a registered Australian online doctor and pharmacy service after an online health assessment by a doctor.
Retrieve cream can take between 3-4 weeks to begin to show improvement. It may take up to 6-8 weeks to get the full effect of the treatment.</
It can take weeks, sometimes months, of continuous treatment to see the full benefits of retinoids. At this point, if you're tolerating the medication well but not seeing improvement, your healthcare provider may increase you to a higher strength of tretinoin.
Tretinoin is light-sensitive so only apply it before you go to sleep at night. In the morning, wash it off thoroughly before applying your other skin care products.
Yes. Provided you ensure the online service you use is registered in Australia, ordering online is legal. Australian registered online providers such as Rosemary Health employ registered Australian health professionals to assess your suitability and dispense your medicine.
Yes, we recommend applying moisturiser after Retrieve cream has been washed off. Use a non-occlusive (does not block pores) moisturiser. This may help with side effects such as dry skin and skin flaking.
Your skin turns over in about a month, so if tretinoin use is stopped for a month or more, your skin will again take time to acclimate to the product. The benefits of tretinoin will persist for longer than a month, but will not be sustained without continued use.
