Retinoic acid is a “relative” of retinol, vitamin A, but beware: its application must be made with caution. Those who cannot look at their wrinkles and changes in their skin with serenity certainly know retinoic acid and its uses. Let’s clarify immediately that retinoic acid treatments must be carried out by specialized personnel, especially if the result you want to obtain is an evident reduction of wrinkles, a deep facial cleansing, a correction of discoloration caused by the sun, or hormonal treatments. Let’s find out what it is.
Retinoic Acid, What Is It?
Retinoic acid is a molecule obtained by the metabolic processes of vitamin A. This “acid part” of retinol is fat-soluble and photosensitive. It has to regenerate properties and intervene in cell growth. The active ingredient of retinoic acid is tretinoin. Its concentration in topical remedies makes the product a natural medicine, to which attention must be paid and used following the doctor’s instructions.
Retinoic Acid, Indications
Retinoic acid is indicated for anti-aging treatments,
- To reduce wrinkles, deep signs of aging, but also distinctive of expressiveness. It is widely used to mitigate nasolabial wrinkles.
- To correct scar damage from acne, bacterial infection, or hormonal inflammation that often leaves indelible marks on the skin
- To eliminate dark spots on the skin due to hormonal changes or too much exposure to sunlight.
Thanks to tretinoin, Retinoic acid carries out its regenerative process of the skin through different phases. Its effectiveness is due to its more or less high concentration in the formulations on the market, some for home use, others only for specialized centers.
Retinoic Acid, Effects
Retinoic acid performs exfoliating activity: it cleans and deeply removes dead cells. Its activity is slow and progressive and promotes the regeneration of the epidermal layers and the treatment of deep lesions. Real peelings are carried out that smooth the skin with periodic sessions carried out by expert hands. It regulates the production of sebum and is also particularly suitable for acne problems. The retinoic acid cream should be applied every evening after thoroughly cleansing the face.
Why in the evening? Because, as already mentioned, retinoic acid is photosensitive, so it is advisable to use it away from sunlight. Furthermore, the action of the acid on the skin causes a reaction. The skin turns red when applied, like a natural inflammation due to the exfoliating and regenerating activity. If the reactivity is excessive, the interval between one application and the next must be increased. Results begin to show after two to three weeks of constant use. The skin is strengthened and plumped with collagen.
Retinoic Acid, Contraindications
Retinoic acid in high concentrations can cause side effects. Applied to sensitive and reactive skin, it can initiate an inflammation process with redness, dryness, and subsequent flaking, defined as retinoid dermatitis. The advice, obvious but necessary, is to ask a dermatologist for a consultation and not go to the pharmacy to buy the product without precise indications. It is not a formulation that allows you to do it yourself without initial warnings, and the pharmacist can not always take the responsibility of assessing our skin on sight!
Retinoic Acid, Warnings
When carrying out a regenerative process based on retinoic acid, it is advisable to pay attention to sun exposure: we avoid tanning lamps, and even during the day, we use a face cream with a high protective filter SPF 30 or even SPF 50. We Protect the face even when we use cosmetic products for the hair, such as sprays and gels, irritating susceptible skin. Whenever we apply retinoic acid cream, let’s wash our hands very well! Naturopathic advice? If there are no scars to eliminate but only unpleasant wrinkles and fine lines, we choose aesthetic treatments closer to respecting our skin.
Also Read: PREVENT SUNSPOTS WITH EIGHT TIPS
