Vitamin A
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I educate patients on the importance of a vitamin A on a daily basis. Retin A also known as Tretinoin is a prescription strength vitamin A. An exfoliator that helps with sun damage, pigmentation, texture, fine lines, acne as well as stimulates your own collagen. As we get older collagen production slows down and that means more wrinkles and loose,saggy skin. The goal is to age gracefully and consistent use of Retin A will get you there. The one negative with this product is that your skin will get red and flaky at first but irritation is normal for a few weeks until your skin gets used to it. Don't let the irritation side effects discourage you from starting. The pros far outweigh the cons. Below are a few guidelines to help tolerate vitamin A better when you first start out:
Vitamin A comes in 3 different strengths: .025%, .05% and .01%.
If you have sensitve skin start off with the lowest strength first .025%.
Apply a pea-sized amount of product every other night or every third night (if you’re sensitive). The goal is to eventually be able to tolerate it well enough to use every night.
After you cleanse wait a full 20 to 30 minutes before applying the product.
Apply plain moisturizer on top 20 minutes after you apply the vitamin A. I’ve also known people who have just mixed both the vitamin A in with the moisturizer.
Use sunscreen everyday. Retin A makes you more sun sensitive so you're more likely to get a sunburn if you are not religious with the SPF.
Patience is a virtue: some people can see a transformation in 2 weeks, others may see a difference in 6 months.
Whether you are using pharmaceutical grade Retin A or an over the counter retinol (not as strong, but more gentle on the skin) vitamin A is the gold standard for restoring and maintaining your youthfulness.