Youth Junkie
Bring on the new, slough off the old
Now more then ever people are striving to be young and beautiful for as long as possible.
In the age of Instagram, it’s easy to see how people think their youth is a transaction for a job, a spouse, or worse…happiness. Some feel aging is a faux pas, and the longer you manage to stay young and beautiful the longer you’ll be on top.
Now that I have your attention, why am I going on about this you may ask? It’s because I want to talk about youthful, gorgeous skin.
To start, I want to discuss retinoids and how the product has been working its way into the evening skincare regimen. So, lets dig into a little history on retinoids and clear up some misunderstandings.
Retinoid products seem to have blown up in the past 10 years and can come in many different forms: creams, gels, or lotions.
They were first discovered in the early 1970s as a way to fight difficult acne in patients. My point being, they are not new.
How do they work you may ask? To fully answer that, we will need to split this topic into subcategories: Retin-A, and retinol.
How Retin-A Works
This specific product is given to you through a prescription and is extremely potent. Sometimes a dermatologist will suggest their client starts with a retinol complex prior to and build up to a retin-A product.
“Retin-A, also known as tretinoin, is a naturally occurring substance of vitamin A. Retinoids such as tertian are regulators of cell reproduction and are used to treat acne and photodamaged skin…”- Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Retin-A works particularly fast and results can be seen in as little as 6 to 8 weeks. The end result usually gives one an overall fresh, smoother appearance of their skin.
How Retinol Differs
You’re able to find this product over-the-counter. I have also noticed their presence stocked in most of the cosmetic dermatologist offices I have frequented.
Unlike retina-A, retinol uses the enzymes in your skin to take the retinoic acid and convert it so your skin can put it to use. This makes the results a little slower but still effective in its own way.
Because this product takes a little longer and tends to give a mild result- results seen in 3 to 6 months. It is my personal opinion to start this in your mid to late 20s and work your way up to a stronger percentage and or, to a retin-A if needed.
Symptoms of Retinoids
- Redness
- Peeling, Flaky skin
- Itchy Feeling
- Tight Feeling
- Photosensitivity (sensitive to ultraviolet rays)
Key Points to Take Away
- Talk with your dermatologist about your skin concerns to see if you are a good candidate. If you do use it, air on the side of caution and purchase a quality sunscreen, at least SPF 30 for everyday use.
- Start with a low dosage and work your way up, and only apply it at night.
Please know you are more than your looks and as a collective, we need to start questioning why we think we may not be.
Aging is not a faux pas; it is a privilege that only some get to experience. If it is your hope or desire to age gracefully, retinoids may be for you.
