Retin A, Great for Acne, Great for Wrinkles Too!

Retin a or retinoic acid, known generically as Tretinoin, was originally approved by the FDA for use as a treatment for acne. Some of those using it discovered it also seemed to improve their facial wrinkles. Retin a as a treatment for wrinkles took off from there.

Retinoic acid is a derivative of vitamin A and works by irritating the skin to the extent that cellular turnover is actually increased, which means cells divide and die more quickly forming new cells in the process. The epidermis or outer layer of skin also becomes thinner. In effect this produces a light chemical peel. Results can take up to a couple of months and initially the skin may look worse before any improvement is noticed. Perseverance is worth it however and as the new skin comes to the surface, the tone and texture will be improved.

It is available on prescription usually in strengths of 1% or over, anything less may be obtained over the counter or online. Beware of retin a skin care products that contain only trace amounts of retinoic acid that sell for the same high prices as the stronger ones, you won't get the same results!

Retinol can be confused with retin a and is available without prescription. It's a less concentrated version of retin a. Retinol can be useful, however it is not as strong and any results will take longer. If your skin is oily, retinol can be beneficial as it will have a slight drying and thinning effect.

The reason retin a works for acne sufferers is that it causes the top layer of the epidermis to be shed more quickly. The blockages of pores caused by excess secretion of sebum and subsequent infection that usually results cannot develop properly and pimples don’t form as much or as often. It can take as little as three weeks to see a difference.

Wrinkle reduction takes a lot longer, up to six months to see a noticeable difference and this will vary according to the depth of the wrinkles. Other signs of photoaging also respond well such as hyperpigmentation and rough texture. Be aware though that tests on retin a have been mainly short term and not for very long term wrinkle treatment. However if your skin is tolerating it well there probably is no problem.

Retin a can also stimulate collagen production which is a real bonus for older skins! It is claimed that Retin a will work better if combined with AHAs, so if you’ve got a tough enough skin you can try this!

Retin a should be applied at night before bed to a clean dry skin, make sure there are no traces of cleanser or dampness left on the skin’s surface. Keep well away from the eye area or you’ll know about it! Only use once a day, any more might cause severe irritation and won’t speed up the results. It can probably be compared to a light chemical peel and is sometimes used to prepare the skin before a peel is done. If there is a lot of roughness, try rubbing gently with a washcloth or very gently exfoliate.

The reason that retin a works so well is, unfortunately, also the reason why some cannot use it. The skin irritation that it causes is too severe for semsitive skins, but it is worth persisting as the skin can get used to the irritation after a while. Keep in mind that it is normal for some redness, inflammation and stinging to occur as that is the way retin a works. If the symptoms are still too annoying, try cutting the application down to once every two days. You can also try mixing with your usual night cream to dilute it slightly.

If all this fails see a dermatologist for an alternative treatment. retin a is safe to use with other medications however check with your doctor if you are, or are planning to become pregnant as there is some absorption into the bloodstream. Also keep using that sunblock every day as retin a causes skin to become more sensitive to UV rays.

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