The Benefits of Retinol
February 6, 2015 9:10 amOne thing I’ve learned working in the skincare industry is that people love immediate gratification. Waiting and waiting to see results can be frustrating. And I know full well that in the confusing labyrinth of products on the market there are plenty that promise a quick fix, but few actually deliver real, measurable results. That’s why I wanted to shine the spotlight on a specific ingredient that I know provides real, measurable results: Retinol.
Simply put a retinol is a pure, topical vitamin A derivative that is small enough to penetrate deep into the skin’s innermost layers and be absorbed into the dermis. Once there, it attaches itself to over 50 sites on your DNA working at a molecular level to repair damage, increase cellular turnover, and plump up fine lines. Retinol works by stimulating the fibroblasts in the dermis to produce collagen which in turn creates healthier, firmer, more plump skin.
Regular use of a retinol also helps to speed up the skin’s cell turnover rate – another issue we all have as we age. This stimulation of your skin’s metabolism causes the cells to slough off at a quicker rate which help lighten sun damage (also called age spots or liver spots) and gives the skin a youthful glow.
Retinol and its prescription strength sibling Retin-A, are without a doubt the most studied anti-aging ingredients in skin care, as well as the ones with the most science to prove their efficacy. A recent study by Johnson & Johnson showed evidence that not only does retinol work, but it continues to provide increasing results the longer you use it. Retinol is appropriate for all skin types and is to be used only at night as UV rays tend to degrade the active ingredient.
One issue that clients may have during the first eight weeks of use is a slight increase in flakiness and/or mild redness in the treated areas. After this adjustment period the skin usually settles down and looks wonderful.
Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not use retinols.
If you do nothing else at all for your skin, using a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type, applying a barrier protectant sunscreen each morning, and a chocolate chip-sized amount of retinol to your face at night will go a long way toward keeping your skin looking healthy and youthful.
At 360 Skin we carry Image’s Retinol-A Cream that stands head and shoulders above the other products in that it includes moisture-binding polypeptides to further boost your skin’s ability to retain water, increase cell repair, and plump up fine lines and wrinkles. For more information please visit our website at 360Skin.com
