Apply The Anti-Aging Solution as directed by the dermatologist on your case. Your prescription will come with specific instructions on how much to apply, when to apply it, and how to ease into the routine — and these instructions are personalized based on your skin type, prior retinoid history, and tolerance.

A few practical points that apply to most prescription anti-aging formulas of this type:

  • Start slowly. Prescription topical retinoids are introduced gradually — typically two or three nights per week for the first one to two weeks, then increasing toward nightly use as the skin adapts. The dermatologist on your case will give you a specific ramp-up schedule. Skipping ahead in the schedule is the most common cause of avoidable irritation.
  • Apply at night, on clean dry skin. A non-foaming gentle cleanser is recommended; apply the prescription a few minutes after washing, once the skin is fully dry. Prescription retinoids are typically used at night because sunlight degrades many of them.
  • Layer a barrier moisturizer. A simple ceramide-based or barrier-repair moisturizer applied after the prescription helps reduce irritation in the first weeks and supports the skin barrier during ongoing daily use. Some patients use a "sandwich" method — moisturizer, then prescription, then moisturizer again — during the adjustment period.
  • Daily SPF 30 or higher is non-negotiable. Prescription retinoids increase sun sensitivity, and unprotected sun exposure is one of the strongest drivers of the photoaging this formula is built to address. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is part of the protocol, not optional — and is arguably the single most important non-prescription part of any anti-aging routine.
  • Pause other actives. If you are currently using over-the-counter retinols, BHA/AHA exfoliants, vitamin C serums, or another prescription product, the dermatologist on your case will tell you which to pause and for how long. Stacking multiple actives is the most common cause of barrier disruption during the first weeks of a prescription retinoid.
  • Pregnancy and nursing. Prescription retinoids including tretinoin are contraindicated in pregnancy and generally avoided during breastfeeding. If your status changes during treatment, message the team immediately so the dermatologist on your case can adjust your prescription.

If you experience persistent irritation, message the team before stopping. The dermatologist on your case can adjust the strength, the frequency, or the specific combination in your formula — adjusting the schedule is almost always the right move rather than discontinuing entirely.