Look Younger with Retinol Products

Have you noticed how babies and children have very smooth, translucent, moist skin?

As we age and accumulate sun damage on our skin, we not only develop lines and wrinkles, but we also get dark blotches and loose the translucency of the skin...that alabaster look of young skin. Sun exposure and hormonal changes - both during pregnancy and menopause or  with the use of oral contraceptives, all conjure to speed up the aging process and look.

Retinol, a form of vitamin A, has long been known and used to make your skin more youthful and beautiful and a favorite of skin doctors. Retinol and its prescription form called tretinoin increase the turnover of cells, letting new cells replace older ones. It also increases the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid by your skin. All of this results in an increase in elasticity of you skin, less wrinkles and a naturally moisturized skin....hence the more youthful look.


Retinol has been in my beauty bag for years and I saw my worry wrinkles (frown lines) disappear!  I My skin doctor recommended I used non-prescription strength to start with and I never needed to use the prescribed versions. I started wtih Obagi and later switched to Neutrogena for maintenance, but there are many good brands in the market. My Mom and several of my friends have started using them and are equally happy. But it has to become a habit, a part of your beauty routine, like everything we do to stay beautiful.


                             

Retinol works by speeding up the process by which skin cells are replaced. It slightly thickens the skin and slows down the breakdown of collagen. It has been used for decades for acne, warts and other cosmetic skin issues, and remains as a favorite of skin doctors.

When used consistently, it erases or smooths out fine lines and therefore delays the appearance of deeper lines and wrinkles. It also causes sloughing off of dark pigmented areas of skin. So you will end up with a more luminous, translucent skin, a most important par tor looking younger.

Retinol products are not a fast fix. With prescription-strength formulas, like tretinoin and retinoic acid, you can expect to see changes within 6-8 weeks. With non-prescription formulas, the effect may take 3-4 months but it's real!

When you start using it, you can expect temporarily increased acne, sensitivity to sunlight, and some peeling and redness of the skin. It can be uncomfortable but usually subsides within a few days. The stronger the concentration you use the more likely that it will irritate your skin at first. To minimize these symptoms, use retinol at night. If you use it during the day, use sunscreen with SPF 30 or more along with it, and don't forget to drink water and moisturize your skin.

If you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant, do not use retinol products.

I'm hoping to help you achieve younger looking skin! I will see you on the next post!