What’s in your wrinkle cream?

Are you using tretinoin as part of your anti-aging routine? Used correctly, tretinoin (also known as Retin-A) does amazing things for the skin! It is a topical form of Vitamin A that helps the skin renew itself by increasing and regulating skin-cell turnover and collagen production. This means fewer wrinkles, smoother texture, smaller pores, and reduction of sun damage.

What it does:

  • Helps reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles
  • Can help lighten and prevent age and sun spots
  • Creates a smoother skin texture
  • Decreases a person’s risk of developing skin cancer
  • Helps to treat various skin conditions such as acne and rosacea

Start by using your Retin-A every other night, then slowly increase to using nightly over the next 2 to 4 weeks as your skin adjusts to the medication. A little peeling, pink coloration and irritation is normal in during the first several weeks, but if you become really sensitive or experience burning, back off and wait a few days before using again.

Here are a few tips for using tretinoin correctly:

  1. Always apply at bedtime. Never wear during the day as the chemical breaks down in sunlight
  2. Wait 15-30 minutes after washing skin with a gentle cleanser before applying, in order to reduce irritation
  3. A little goes a long way! Use just a pea-sized amount for your whole face. Dot it on your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin then spread to cover the entire face. Try to avoid the corners of the mouth and eyes, and the nasal creases

If your skin is red and irritated for other reasons such as sunburn, be sure to stop your Retin-A until skin has returned to normal. Be sure to let your skin care specialist or esthetician know you are using a topical retinoid before waxing, threading, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or light/laser treatments. Retin-A should be stopped for a period of time before your treatment.

While using the medication, do not forget your sunscreen! Sun protection is a must as you will be slightly more sensitive to sun exposure. We recommend a mineral based sunscreen such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to give the best protection. This should be applied daily, and reapplied during direct sun exposure.

Tretinoin is available by prescription only. Often you will find Retinol in many over the counter products, but don’t be fooled. This does not have the same efficacy as Retin-A and can cost the same or more!

We would love to help you find the best anti-aging regimen for your skin.  Give us a call at 727-530-0920.