Renova
Renova Overview
Renova is an anti-aging skin cream that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
How Renova works
Tretinoin, the active ingredient in Renova helps the skin renew itself more quickly, thus improving the appearance and texture of the skin.
How to take Renova
Apply Renova once a day at nighttime just after cleansing. Wash your face thoroughly with mild soap or gentle alcohol-free cleanser. Pat dry then wait at least 20 to 30 minutes. After your face is dry, dab a small amount of Renova on your forehead, chin, and cheeks. Spread Renova evenly throughout face. Do not get any Renova on the eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, mucous membranes, open sores, irritated skin, or the angles of your nose. If you get medication in any of these areas, rinse it off with water.
Renova precautions
Renova should be used under medical supervision as part of a total skin care and sun protection program. DO NOT use Renova therapy cream if you are pregnant or nursing, have sunburned or damaged skin, or if you are sensitive to any of its components. Also, you should not use Renova if you are taking drugs known as photosensitizers.
While taking Renova try to avoid products that can increase skin irritation such as:
- Other skin medications
- Medicated soaps or skin cleansers
- Permanent wave solutions
- Chemical hair removers or waxes
- Electrolysis
- Products with alcohol
- Cosmetics with strong drying effects
What the FDA Says About Renova
FDA APPROVES RENOVA TO ASSIST IN REDUCING SKIN DAMAGE
The Food and Drug Administration has approved for marketing the prescription product Renova — 0.05% tretinoin emollient cream — as a treatment to assist in reducing certain kinds of skin damage, such as fine wrinkles, spotty discoloration and rough skin. The following can be used to answer questions:
Renova is marketed by Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp. and is the sister product to another Ortho product Retin-A, which was approved in 1971 for treating acne.
Renova was approved for the treatment of damaged skin as an adjunctive agent to a comprehensive skin care and sun-avoidance program. Its effectiveness is dependent on other good skin care practices including avoiding direct sunlight, applying sunscreens, wearing protective clothing and using moisturizing lotions. Many people can enhance skin appearance and protect skin from damage by adopting regular use of these practices and not using Renova.
Studies on Renova showed that after 24 weeks approximately 30 percent of people who used the product for fine wrinkles or spotty discoloration had moderate improvement, 35 percent had minimal improvement and 35 percent had no improvement. Among individuals who used the product, about 16 percent had moderate improvement in skin roughness, 35 percent saw minimal improvement and 49 percent had no improvement.
Renova does not eliminate wrinkles or repair the sun-damaged skin that leads to cancer. Nor is there evidence that Renova treats coarse skin, deep wrinkles, skin yellowing or other skin problems.
When patients use Renova, improvement in fine wrinkling, spotty skin discoloration and rough skin occurs gradually over time. Generally, patients notice some effect in three to four months, with the most noticeable effects at about six months. Little additional improvement is expected after that time. If Renova treatment is stopped, the improvements attained by treatment gradually diminish.
The safety of using Renova daily for more than 48 weeks has not been established, and Renova should not be used on patients who are pregnant or attempting to become pregnant. Renova has not been studied in people who are age 50 or older or in people with moderately or darkly pigmented skin.
What the National Institutes of Health Say About Renova
Renova, the brand name for Tretinoin (TRET-i-noyn) is used to treat acne. It works partly by keeping skin pores clear.
Tretinoin may also be used to treat other skin diseases as determined by your doctor.
Tretinoin is available only with your doctor’s prescription, in the following dosage forms:
- Topical
- Cream (U.S. and Canada)
- Gel (U.S. and Canada)
- Topical solution (U.S. and Canada)
Proper Use of This Medicine
It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause irritation of the skin.
Do not apply this medicine to windburned or sunburned skin or on open wounds.
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 the medicine accidentally gets on these areas, wash with water at once.
This medicine usually comes with patient directions. Read them carefully before using the medicine.
Before applying tretinoin, wash the skin with a mild soap or cleanser and warm water by using the tips of your fingers. Then gently pat dry. Do not scrub your face with a sponge or washcloth. Wait 20 to 30 minutes before applying this medicine to make sure the skin is completely dry. Applying tretinoin to wet skin can irritate the skin.
To use the cream or gel form of this medicine:
- Apply just enough medicine to very lightly cover the affected areas, and rub in gently but well. A pea-sized amount is enough to cover the whole face.
To use the solution form of this medicine:
- Using your fingertips, a gauze pad, or a cotton swab, apply enough tretinoin solution to cover the affected areas. If you use a gauze pad or a cotton swab for applying the medicine, avoid getting it too wet. This will help prevent the medicine from running into areas not intended for treatment.
After applying the medicine, wash your hands to remove any medicine that might remain on them.
