Retinoids are the gold standard for anti-aging products. You’ve seen them advertised on TV for years. But what exactly are retinoids and when should you use them?
Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A. They come in both prescription and over-the-counter versions. Retin-A is the prescription version and Retinol is the type of retinoid you can purchase over-the-counter. Retinoids are the only FDA-approved topical treatments for acne and treating fine lines and wrinkles and have been used safely for over 40 years.
Retinoids work by affecting your DNA, causing changes in gene expression. The result is enhanced collagen production, skin smoothing, and an evening out of pigmentation. They also cause more glycosaminoglycans to be produced, resulting in increased skin hydration.
With daily use, it takes on average 12-weeks to see real results from retinoids. We call the first 2 weeks the “I hate it phase” as you will most likely experience redness and peeling. This is good. You will immediately notice new beautiful skin forming and you will find this very encouraging as your skin develops a tolerance and becomes less reactive. If you temporarily stop your Retin A application your skin never develops a tolerance and it will continue to be reactive and peeling. After using a product for a year, you may notice that you’re not seeing the results that you once were. This is normal. Around the 1-year mark, you may want to move to a slightly stronger retinoid. Your results will pick right back up!
Retinoids are completely safe for long-term use. They have been used continuously since the 70s with no negative long-term effects.
If you find that the peeling and redness to be excessively bothersome, you may want to switch to a more gentle over the counter product This will extend the time that it takes to reach your desired results.
When applying a retinoid, you can apply it to your entire face, including around your eyes. Studies show that those who also include coverage near the eyes achieve the best results. Do not use a retinoid on your eye lids.
We have plenty of opportunities to get outside for fun in Wilmington . Retinoids make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and its imperative that you wear sun protection and wear protective gear. Remember the sun is creating a lot of the same problems that you are trying to correct with Retin A.
When using a retinoid, our advice is the same for you as it is for everybody else: use a high quality sun screen with a minimum SPF of 15 on a daily basis. The more you’re outside, the more critical it is to manage your UV exposure. However, the good news is, using a retinoid won’t force you indoors and away from the sun.
If you’d like more information on prescription-grade Retin-A products, we’d love to talk to you about it. Call us at (910) 794-5355 and let’s talk about your skin care needs.
Retinoids are the gold standard for anti-aging products. You’ve seen them advertised on TV for years. But what exactly are retinoids and when should you use them?
Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A. They come in both prescription and over-the-counter versions. Retin-A is the prescription version and Retinol is the type of retinoid you can purchase over-the-counter. Retinoids are the only FDA-approved topical treatments for acne and treating fine lines and wrinkles and have been used safely for over 40 years.
Retinoids work by affecting your DNA, causing changes in gene expression. The result is enhanced collagen production, skin smoothing, and an evening out of pigmentation. They also cause more glycosaminoglycans to be produced, resulting in increased skin hydration.
With daily use, it takes on average 12-weeks to see real results from retinoids. We call the first 2 weeks the “I hate it phase” as you will most likely experience redness and peeling. This is good. You will immediately notice new beautiful skin forming and you will find this very encouraging as your skin develops a tolerance and becomes less reactive. If you temporarily stop your Retin A application your skin never develops a tolerance and it will continue to be reactive and peeling. After using a product for a year, you may notice that you’re not seeing the results that you once were. This is normal. Around the 1-year mark, you may want to move to a slightly stronger retinoid. Your results will pick right back up!
Retinoids are completely safe for long-term use. They have been used continuously since the 70s with no negative long-term effects.
If you find that the peeling and redness to be excessively bothersome, you may want to switch to a more gentle over the counter product This will extend the time that it takes to reach your desired results.
When applying a retinoid, you can apply it to your entire face, including around your eyes. Studies show that those who also include coverage near the eyes achieve the best results. Do not use a retinoid on your eye lids.
We have plenty of opportunities to get outside for fun in Wilmington . Retinoids make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and its imperative that you wear sun protection and wear protective gear. Remember the sun is creating a lot of the same problems that you are trying to correct with Retin A.
When using a retinoid, our advice is the same for you as it is for everybody else: use a high quality sun screen with a minimum SPF of 15 on a daily basis. The more you’re outside, the more critical it is to manage your UV exposure. However, the good news is, using a retinoid won’t force you indoors and away from the sun.
If you’d like more information on prescription-grade Retin-A products, we’d love to talk to you about it. Call us at (910) 794-5355 and let’s talk about your skin care needs.