Topical vitamin A-based medications called retinoids—probably the most widely used and best-studied antiaging compounds—can reduce positive lines and wrinkles. Tretinoin, under the brand name Retin-A, was the primary retinoid. It was used as an pimples treatment within the Nineteen Seventies, but researchers later discovered that it also fades patches of actinic keratosis, evens out skin tone, and quickens skin cell turnover. does.
Retinoids reduce positive lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production. They also stimulate the production of recent blood vessels within the skin, which improves skin tone. Additional advantages include fading of age spots and softening of rough skin patches. However, it takes three to 6 months of normal use before visible improvement in wrinkles—and best results take six to 12 months.
Because retinoids could cause skin dryness and irritation, doctors often recommend using them only every other day after which progressively work as much as using them at night. Wear sunscreen through the day because retinoids increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. These medications should be used consistently to take care of their advantages.
Tretinoin (Retin-A, generic), tazarotene (Avage, Tazorac), and adapalene (Differin) are prescription retinoids. Adapalene can also be available over-the-counter (in a 0.1% formulation vs. a 0.3% prescription version). Other retinoids are undergoing clinical trials.
In addition, there are several over-the-counter products available that contain retinoids, comparable to retinol. Because they aren't as strong (and thus less irritating), they aren't as effective at reducing wrinkles as tretinoin; But they do improve the looks of photo-aging skin. Tretinoin might be used with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) for extra skin-smoothing effects.
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