Tretinoin works gradually, not overnight. Some irritation is normal when you start, and many people go through an adjustment period where skin can look worse before it looks better. Beginning slowly, moisturizing well, and adjusting the strength all help — and if dryness, redness, or breakouts feel excessive, your provider can tailor your formula or schedule to get you through it more comfortably.
After the initial adjustment, clearer skin and smoother texture develop over the following weeks and months as cell turnover normalizes; post-acne marks fade more slowly still. Consistency is what makes Tretinoin work — sticking with it through the early phase is what gets you to the results.