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Retinoids as Anti Aging Agents and Wrinkles
Both Retin-A (tretinoin) and Retinol are synthetic forms of topical Vitamin A. It has been recognized for several decades that Vitamin A plays an important role in maintaining skin health. Vitamin A is important in maintaining the skin's turnover and maturation---however, too much oral Vitamin A can be severely toxic to the skin, as well as to the eye and other organs.
Therefore, forms of topical Vitamin A have been developed to treat a variety of skin disorders, including acne, psoriasis and the effects of aging.
Retin-A (tretinoin) was the first Vitamin A product developed specifically to fight comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). It does so by improving the way the plugged scaly skin in the blocked pores mature, thus forming a more normal, unblocked pore. While Retin-A was being used to treat acne, astute dermatologists noticed that the treated skin looked 'younger', with improvement in fine wrinkles and an overall better texture to the skin of the face.
Retin-A (and other forms of tretinoin, including Renova) is the only product approved by the FDA to treat photodamaged, wrinkled skin. How does Retin-A work to improve wrinkles? Most likely in two ways: First, by improving the turnover of the epidermis, or surface layer of the skin; and secondly, by improving the collagen or cushiony middle layer of the skin. As our skin ages, this collagen becomes coarse and thin; tretinoin seems to repair some of this photo-damaged collagen.
Because Retin-A thins the dead outer layer of the skin (called the stratum corneum), using Retin-A can make the skin slightly more sensitive to the sun, as well as to other harsh environmental exposures. Retin-A is usually applied at night, and often the patient is advised to start slowly, with only 2-3 applications per week in the beginning to avoid irritation.
When using Retin-A, it is important to be patient, as the effects may take months to become noticeable. It is also very important to only use Retin-A under your health care providers direction. Do NOT use Retin-A if you are pregnant, think you might be or become pregnant or nursing. Also remember to use your sunscreen!
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keywords and tags: wrinkles, fine lines, uneven pigment, dry skin, older skin, moisturizers, aging skin, skin care, skin lines, loose skin, sagging skin
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