Retin-A is a topical prescription medication made from an acidic form of vitamin A.
The generic name is tretinoin or retinoic acid. Although the medication was originally designed to treat acne, dermatologists found that Retin-A creams are also extremely effective in combating signs of ageing – including wrinkles, dark spots and sagging.
This blog will tell you all you need to know about using Retin-A to reduce wrinkles, allowing you to turn back the clock!What you need to know.
Understand the anti-ageing benefits of Retin-A. Retin-A is a vitamin A derivative which has been prescribed by dermatologists to combat ageing for over 20 years. It started out as a treatment for acne, but patients using Retin-A for this purpose soon discovered that their skin became firmer, smoother and younger-looking as a result of the treatment. Dermatologists then began researching the benefits of Retin-A as an anti-ageing treatment.
- Retin-A works by increasing cell turnover within the skin, stimulating collagen production, and exfoliating the top layers of skin to reveal, fresher younger-looking skin underneath.
- In addition to decreasing the appearance of wrinkles, it can prevent new ones from forming, fade discoloration and sun damage, reduce the risks of developing skin cancer and improve the skin’s texture and elasticity.
- Currently, Retin-A is the only topical treatment for wrinkles that is FDA approved. It is extremely effective, and doctors and patients alike swear by the results.
Get a prescription for Retin-A. Retin-A is the brand name version of the generic drug known as tretinoin. It is available only with a doctor’s prescription, so you will need to make an appointment with a doctor if you are interested in trying this treatment.
- The doctor will assess your skin and determine whether Retin-A is a good option for you. If used correctly, it can work effectively on most skin types. However, due to it’s drying, irritating qualities, it may not be suitable for people who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema or rosacea.
- Your doctor will usually start you off with a weaker strength cream until your skin adjusts to the treatment. Then you can progress on to a stronger cream, if necessary.
- Retinol is another vitamin-A derivative which is found in many over-the-counter products and big brand beauty creams. It produces similar results to Retin-A treatments, but due to its weaker formula it is not as effective (but will cause less irritation.
Begin using Retin-A at any age. Retin-A is such an effective treatment, that you will notice a visible improvement in the appearance of wrinkles no matter what age you are when you begin using it.
- Starting Retin-A treatments in your forties, fifties and above can have the effect of turning back the clock by plumping out the skin, fading age spots and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It is never too late to start!
- However, women in their twenties and thirties can also benefit from using Retin-A, as it boosts collagen production beneath the skin, making it thicker and firmer. As a result, starting Retin-A treatment early in life can prevent deep wrinkles from forming in the first place
Applying the product at night also gives it a chance to absorb into the skin fully.
- When you begin Retin-A treatment, your doctor will probably recommend that you only apply it every two to three nights.
- This will give your skin a chance to adjust to the cream and help to avoid irritation. Once your skin has adjusted, you can build up to using it every night.
- Apply the Retin-A to dry skin, about 20 minutes after thoroughly cleansing your face.
Use Retin-A sparingly. Retin-A is a very strong treatment, so it imperative that you use it correctly and only apply it in very small amounts.
- At most, a pea-sized amount of cream should be used on the face, and a little more if applying to the neck. A good technique is to dab the cream on the areas most affected by wrinkles, age spots, etc., then wipe any remaining cream over the rest of the face.
- Many people become scared of using Retin-A because they start applying the cream too heavily and experience negative side effects such as dryness, irritation, stinging and acne outbreaks. However, these effects can be greatly reduced if the cream is applied in moderation
Always use in combination with moisturizer. Due to the drying effects of Retin-A treatments, it is imperative that you always wear a hydrating moisturizer, day and night.
- At night, wait 20 minutes for the Retin-A to be fully absorbed into the skin, then apply your moisturiser. In the morning, wash your face thoroughly before applying a second moisturiser containing a high SPF.
- Sometimes, it can be hard to spread the recommended pea-sized amount of Retin-A to all of the areas of the face where it’s needed. A good solution to this problem is to mix the Retin-A with your nightly moisturizer before applying it to the face.
- This way, the Retin-A will be dispersed evenly all over the face. Due to the diluting effects of the hydrator it should also be less irritating.
Deal with any sensitivity or irritation. Most clients will experience some dryness and irritation after beginning Retin-A treatments, and a small number will experience acne breakouts. Don’t worry, as these reactions are completely normal. As long as you are using the treatment correctly, any irritation should subside within a few weeks.
- Things that will lessen irritation include making sure that you gradually build up to using the cream every night, using only the recommended pea-sized amount, and moisturising frequently.
- You should also be sure to use a very mild, non-irritating cleanser when washing your face. Also try to use a gentle face scrub once a week to slough off any dead skin.
- If your skin becomes very irritated and sensitive, cut back on the Retin-A applications or stop using it altogether until your skin has recovered slightly. Then, you can slowly build back up to using it again. It will take some skin types longer to adjust the the Retin-A than others
Give it a chance to start working. The length of time it takes for Retin-A treatments to produce noticeable results will vary from person to person.
- Some people will see improvement in as little as one week, whereas for others it might take as long as eight weeks.
- Don’t give up however – Retin-A has produced proven positive results and is possibly the most effective anti-wrinkle cream available.
- Beyond Retin-A, the only more effective thing you can do to combat wrinkles is to get anti-wrinkle or injectable filler treatments
What to avoid when using Retin-A
Don’t use in combination with products containing glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide are two other ingredients commonly found in skincare products. However, these can also be quite drying on the skin, so it is best to avoid using them in combination with a harsh treatment like Retin-A.
Do not expose your skin to sun damage.
Retin-A treatment makes your skin hyper-sensitive to sunlight, which is why you only apply it at night. However, you should also take precautions during daylight hours by wearing an SPF every day. It doesn’t matter if it’s sunny, rainy, cloudy or even snowy – your skin needs to be protected.
Do not use Retin-A if you’re pregnant. Retin-A creams should not be used if you are pregnant, suspect you might be pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding, as there have been reports of fetal deformities following use of tretinoin treatments.