I think itās probably illegal in the U.S. without a prescription. Iām not in bad need of skin products at the moment (5 years ago people said I looked like I was in my 30ās, and now they say mid-40ās, even though Iām 53); though I do try OTC things out, like vitamin C, which does a good job evening out my skin tone (and even seems to thicken the back of my hand, maybe via boosting collagen). Looking at how much peopleās skin ages from 53 years old to 63 years old, say, Iād say it wonāt be long until Iāll be looking into trying more heavy-duty stuff.
ā¦
Some people donāt like going to doctors for products like Tretinoin because they have a problem with āauthorityā and āinstitutionsā. I donāt have such hangups, since Iām an academic, which means I am very familiar with institutions and donāt fear them; and, furthermore, my brother is a medical doctor, who is board-certified in oncology and hematology, and Iāve picked up more about medical institutions, in particular, than most people, which reinforces my lack of fear of them.
My issues with using a product like Tretinoin, instead of some over-the-counter concoction or something I can put together myself, stem from all the other reasons to avoid doctors. e.g. if I wanted to use Tretinoin, it would first of all involve finding a dermatologist. Then it would involve seeing when I could actually meet with them, as they probably have full schedules, like most other doctors ā so, there would be a week or two delay (if not longer!). After settling on a time that intersects our schedules, I would then have to fill in a 10 or 15 page medical history dossier, which is standard in the U.S. Then Iād have to show up to the office, maybe have my blood pressure and heart rate taken. Then Iād meet with the dermatologist, and then theyād look me over, and maybe would even order some more tests. Assuming they donāt, and prescribe it to me, Iām not sure how my insurance company would react to that, since it would have the appearance of being for aesthetics (which is would be) rather than for medical need. Probably I would have to pay it out-of-pocket. And the cost would be around maybe $50 to $100, and that quick visit to the dermatologist would be maybe $200 per visit, assuming my insurance also wouldnāt cover it.
So, in the end, $250 to $300 out-of-pocket for one small tube of prescription-strength, high-quality Tretnoin. And that doesnāt count the aggravation in going through that whole process.
AI doctors that can prescribe things like this are one thing Iām really looking forward to, as it should eliminate all these issues that I mentioned. Iāll be waiting a long time (just because technology improves faster than the regulatory approval process), probably; but Iāll probably see it one dayā¦
