Stieva-A 0.05% (Tretinoin) Cream 25gm

Stieva-A general information

What is Stieva-A used for?

Stieva-A cream 0.05% is a topical medication used to treat acne vulgaris, a common skin condition associated with puberty and characterised by pimples (papules), spots or whiteheads (pustules) and blackheads (comedones).  Stieva-A cream 0.05% helps prevent the formation and spread of pimples, whiteheads and blackheads.  Stieva-A cream 0.05% is also used to treat dry skin due to chronic exposure to sunlight and related conditions, such as premature aging, and helps reduce visible signs of ageing on the face by fading age spots and reducing fine wrinkles. 

How does Stieva-A work?

Stieva-A cream 0.05% contains tretinoin which is an active metabolite of Vitamin A and is a keratolytic medication that affects the way skin cells behave by regulating cell growth and differentiation.  It is thought to act by enhancing skin epithelial cell proliferation and accelerating epithelial differentiation.  Stieva-A cream 0.05% prevents formation of new pimples and blackheads (comedones) by blocking the hardening processes of the outer skin layer (keratinisation and cornification) and increasing the shedding of old hardened skin cells, while at the same time promoting growth of new skin cells.  The combined effect of these actions is to speed up skin cell turnover, clear up pimples and blackheads and reduce the spread of acne.  This also works for aging or damaged skin by promoting skin turnover, where damaged skin is replaced by new skin cells giving the effect of lightening and smoothing the skin.  Stieva-A cream 0.05% reduces symptoms of acne as well as reducing the appearance of age spots and fine wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging.

What does Stieva-A contain?

Stieva-A cream 0.05% contains the active ingredient tretinoin (0.05mg/gm), a keratolytic medication used to treat the symptoms of acne as well as reduce the appearance age spots and fine wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging.

Treating acne with Stieva-A

Stieva-A cream 0.05% contains tretinoin which is an active metabolite of Vitamin A and a keratolytic medication that changes the way skin cells grow and behave.  Acne forms when over stimulation of the sebaceous glands (oil producing glands in hair follicles), which often happens in response to a surge of androgen hormones at puberty, causes pores to become clogged with dead skin.  This leads to the formation of new pimples, whitehead and blackheads (comedones), which can become infected and inflamed.  Tretinoin in Stieva-A cream 0.05% prevents formation of new pimples and blackheads by blocking the hardening processes of the outer skin layer (keratinisation and cornification) and increasing the shedding of old hardened skin cells, while at the same time promoting growth of new skin cells.  The combined effect of these actions is to unblock pores and prevent them becoming clogged and inflamed, which reduces the outbreak of new pimples as well as clearing up existing blemishes; also to speed up skin cell turnover and help the natural exfoliation process of the outer skin layer, which helps clear up pimples and blackheads and reduces the spread of acne. 

Stieva-A for age spots

Stieva-A cream 0.05% contains tretinoin, a topical treatment that can help reduce visible signs of ageing on the face by lightening age spots, which are pigmented patches of skin caused by sun damage and general aging, common in people over 55 years.  Stieva-A cream 0.05% can help speeds up skin turnover by promoting the shedding of old damaged skin and growth of new skin cells giving the effect of lightening the skin. 

Stieva-A cream for wrinkles

Stieva-A cream 0.05% contains tretinoin, a topical treatment that can help reduce visible signs of ageing on the face by reducing fine wrinkles caused by sun damage and general aging of the skin.  Stieva-A cream 0.05% speeds up skin turnover by promoting the shedding of old damaged skin and growth of new skin cells giving the effect of smoothing the skin.  It also promotes skin cells to produce collagen, which keeps skin flexible.

What are the side effects of Stieva-A?

The most commonly reported side effects when using Stieva-A cream 0.05% include increased sensitivity to sunlight.  Other side effects include: severe irritation, particularly if you have sensitive skin or have eczema, burning or stinging where applied to the skin, redness, peeling blistering or dryness of the skin, pigmentation changes.

When should Stieva-A not be used?

You should not use Stieva-A cream 0.05% if you:

• are allergic to tretinoin or any ingredients in Stieva-A
• are pregnant or may become pregnant during use, as tretinoin may cause birth defects
• have acute eczema, as tretinoin can cause severe irritation on eczematous skin
• have a skin condition such as rosacea or perioral dermatitis
• have a personal or familial history of cutaneous epithelioma
• are using any topical skin peeling medication containing sulphur, resorcinal or salicylic acid
• are exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods.  If unavoidable use a sunscreen and protective clothing over treated areas to protect the skin.

How should Stieva-A be used?

You should apply Stieva-A cream 0.05% to the affected area of the skin once daily preferably in the evening before going to bed.  Clean the skin with a mild soap or soap-free cleanser, rinse with water then apply a small amount with clean fingers and rub gently into the skin.  Do not use large amounts or apply Stieva-A cream 0.05% more often than directed, as your skin will not clear up faster, instead you may increase the chance for side effects like skin irritation.  Avoid contact with the eyes, eyelids, inside of the nose and mouth, which are easily irritated areas, or other areas where treatment is not intended.  Do not apply to severely inflamed skin or to open lesions.  You should continue to use Stieva-A cream 0.05% for the full course of treatment as directed by your doctor.  You should see improvement within 2 to 3 weeks, but it may take more than 6 weeks before you see definite beneficial effects.

How long should you use Stieva-A?

You should continue to use Stieva-A cream 0.05% for the full course of treatment as directed by your doctor.  You should see improvement within 2 to 3 weeks, but it may take more than 6 weeks before you see definite beneficial effects.

Missed dose of Stieva-A

If you miss a dose of Stieva-A apply it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to aply the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not apply a double dose.

How should Stieva-A be stored?

You should store your Stieva-A below 25°C in a cool dry place.