What you need to know about Retin-A and how it can help just about everyone.
My intention with this post is to help all of those teenagers that are on Retin-A and help everyone else understand how it can help to keep you skin looking young. Also I want to keep my tips simple so you can get on using Retin-A as fast as possible.
Lets get this part out of the way. Here are the drug facts about Retin-A.http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-1192-Retin-A+Top.aspx?drugid=1192&drugname=Retin-A+Top
What is Retin-A?
Retin-A and Renova are brand names of a retinoid called Tretinoin. Basically it is a topical Vitamin A. Retin-A comes under names: Atralin, Avita and Tretinoin. There are creams and gels.
Who uses Retin-A?
Most of the people I meet who are on Retin-A are teens who have had it prescribed by their doctor for Acne. However it also can be used to reduce wrinkle depth and lighten age spots.
There are many types of creams that Retin-A is in. I personally use Retin-A Micro. 0.1% strength in Gel form. This is a form that has a timed release that is easier on the skin. I also chose this form because it has no mineral oil or petroleum in it. Renova has mineral oil in it and so I felt that Renova would clog my pores.
What does it do for the skin? For people who have acne it helps the cell turn over so the pores stay clear. There for the skin clears up.
For everyone who uses it Retin-A boosts collagen production. It reduces the number and depth of wrinkles. Preserves the thickness of the skin as we age. It generates new blood vessels. Reduces pore size (with adequate hydration). It lightens freckles, age spots and blotches. It also may help with Acne scars. It will make your skin accept moisture better. This is not an over exaggeration. Retin-A really does all of these things. That is why with out a RX it cost at least $150 for Brand Name.
What are some of the problems that people have with Retin-A and Renova?
Extreme dry skin, rawness, cracking of the skin around the mouth, not being able to wax, sun burn and stinging.
How can you reduce side effects?
When I started using Retin-A micro I started with the highest dose and use a very heavy hand.
After about a week my skin was peeling like a snake and I had red blotches all over my face. Every thing I put on it stung except two products. Geranium Regenerating Serum from Naturopathica and Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum from Dr Murad. Those two products eased my side effects but did not heal them. When my skin got so bad I could hardly smile with out my face feeling like it would crack off, I stop the Retin-A for about 4 weeks till my face returned to normal. I still used those products to help heal my face. When I started again I took it easy with the Retin-A. Here is what I did and some tips.
- Start out with the lowest concentration.
- First I mixed a pea size with my favorite moisturizer (do not use a moisturizer that has AHAs, Vitamin C, Benzoyl peroxide or Salicylic acid) every other night for about 10 days.
- The I mixed a pea size with my favorite moisturizer every night for about another 10 days.
- Then I started with a pea size amount, I doted it on my cheeks, nose, forehead and chin and then spread it over your face. This amount will not feel like enough but Retin-A travels on the skin and it will move to all areas of your face. Including your ears. Do this every other day for 10 days.
- Then do the same as above every day. Don't skip days. Your skin will still peel but it will not be as bad as if you started out using it everyday.
- Use a super gentle cleanser. Currently I am using Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap-Hemp Rose.
- If you skin is not red but is flaky you can use a wash cloth to wash your face with in the morning and at night.
- If you skin gets red and sore. Stop using it for a few days and the go back to using every other day for a while.
- I use a very gentle moisturizer in the morning. Currently I am using Nivea Anti-Wrinkle Q10 Night Care. If I am going out in the sun I will use sunscreen on top of that.
- You may not ever go out in the sun with out Sunscreen while using Retin-A! You will get sun spots and you will get burnt!
- Do not wax you face while on any Retin-A products.
- If I am going on vacation in a sunny location I stop using Retin-A for about 2 weeks before I go away. I still use my sunscreen though.
- Do not use the formuals that have mineral oil in them if you are prone to breakouts. If your skin is super dry already, mineral oil may be okay.
Is all this trouble worth it?
In my opinion, it is! Yes, you have to go get a RX and yes, start up is tedious but the end result it wonderful. I have no crows feet or frown lines. My skin is perfectly clear. Many of my clients younger than me (I am 35) have the many smile lines, crows feet, sun damage and many other signs of aging. I started because I started seeing the very beginning of frown lines. From my experience frown lines are darn near impossible to improve. The only options is injectables. Please note, if you have really deep frown lines, they will not go away with Retin-A but they will look alot better. My freckles went away, my frown lines went away and my skin had a wonderful rosy glow. This is the best working anti-aging cream I know of. I have tried everything else including daily Glycolic acid use. I use less products now. I use a cleanser, a moisturizer and a sunscreen. I don't even use eye cream. Now there are some people who can't use Retin-A. I will not leave them out of my post. I will post on other anti-aging products soon.
http://www.naturopathica.com/index.html
http://www.murad.com/
http://www.nivea.com/products/show/263
