Introduction
Retinol, also called vitamin A₁, is a fat-soluble vitamin in the vitamin A family that is found in food and used as a dietary supplement. Retinol or other forms of vitamin A are needed for vision, cellular development, maintenance of skin and mucous membranes, immune function and reproductive development.
Retinol is a topical type of retinoid, the blanket term for vitamin A derivative. Numerous rigorous studies show that retinol cream improves conditions associated with aging, like wrinkles and fine lines, by encouraging quicker skin cell turnover, preventing collagen breakdown and thickening the deeper layers in the skin where wrinkles form. Next to vitamin C, it’s one of the best preventative anti-aging ingredients. Retinol also stops excess sebum production, changes the skin’s responsiveness to stress and helps the skin adjust to hormonal fluctuations.
Types of Retinol
There are six types of retinoids, of which four are commonly used for aesthetic problems – tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, and trifarotene.
Types of Trifarotene etinoid, Retinoic acid (Tretinoin), Isotretinoin.
These are the original first-generation, active prescription strength retinoids. They are the most potent – about 20 times more than retinol – and can cause more reactions than the other types. They are prescribed by dermatologists only (not to be self-medicated) for acne, anti-ageing, and concerns like keratosis pilaris and hyperpigmentation. Retinol is one of the best-known skin care ingredients on the market. An over-the-counter (OTC) version of retinoids, retinol is derived (made from) vitamin A and is primarily used to treat mature-looking skin concerns as well as acne.
That said, retinols are not the same products as prescription retinoids, which are more powerful. However, retinol is still the strongest OTC version available, compared with OTC retinoids such as retinaldehyde and retinyl palmitate.
How Does Retinol Work on the Skin?
Retinol is a type of retinoid, which is made from vitamin A. It does not remove dead skin cells, as many other products for mature skin do. Instead, the small molecules that make up retinol go deep beneath the epidermis (outer layer of skin) to your dermis. Retinol helps neutralize free radicals in the middle layer of your skin. This can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and enlarged pores.
Once in this middle layer of skin, retinol helps neutralize free radicals. This helps boost the production of elastin and collagen, which creates a “plumping” effect that can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores.
Finally, retinol has an exfoliating effect on the skin’s surface that can help improve texture and tone. Retinol also helps to remove hyperpigmentation.
How long does it take retinol to work?
Retinol starts to work in your cells right away, but it’ll take several weeks before you see an improvement in the look and feel of your skin. In fact, your skin condition may look worse at first as you adjust to the new regimen.
What does retinol treat?
Studies show that topical retinoids can help treat acne, acne scars and stretch marks. Retinol also has anti aging effects. Specifically, retinol is good for the following conditions:
1. Retinol for acne
2. Retinol for acne scars
3. Retinol for dark spots
4. Retinol for large pores
5. Retinol for Kaposi Sarcoma Lesions
6. Retinol for Psoriasis
7. Retinol for melasma
8. Retinol for stretch marks
9. Retinol for wrinkles
How do you use retinol?
In general, here are the steps you take:
*Before you use a retinol product for the first time, try a little bit on a small area of skin (a patch test) to see if you have any negative reactions. If, after a couple of days, your skin patch isn’t very red or itchy, you can add retinol to your skincare routine at bedtime.
*Clean your skin with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry. Don’t scrub your skin while using retinol products.
*Apply retinol in a thin layer to your entire face (be careful not to get it in your mouth, nose and eyes). You should use a dose that’s about the size of a pea. For the first couple weeks of treatment, apply retinol only two days a week. Overtime, after one or two months, you should use it 5/6 days in a week.
Finish with a facial moisturizer that won’t clog your pores (non comedogenic).
Whom do we prescribe Retinol?
No gender discrimination, Boys and girls both are able to use it. If you have acne, tretinoin could be useful for anyone in any age. Before 30, if you have acne, acne scar, blackheads, stretch marks, dark spots, you can use tretinoin. But for aging concerns, it is better to use retinol after 30. Because after 30 our collagen production will decline, so better to use retinol after 30 if you want to prevent sun damage, melasma or hyperpigmentation.
WHAT CONCENTRATION OF RETINOL SHOULD I CHOOSE BASED ON MY SKIN TYPE?
The concentration of retinol ranges from 0.1% to 1% in over-the-counter beauty products. If your skin is dry or sensitive, start using retinol with a low concentration. Maybe switch to a higher-strength retinol product once your skin gets used to it. Is your skin thick, oily and resistant? You can integrate a retinol treatment with a higher concentration. However, do not hesitate to apply it only once or twice a week.
Contraindication or side effects of retinol
Side effects from topical retinol treatment are usually temporary. They include:
1. Dry, irritated skin.
2. Itching or burning.
3. Redness, peeling, flaky or scaly skin.
4. If you have severe Allergic and sensitive skin try to avoid retinol.
5. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, better not to use retinol or tretinoin.
6. If you are lactating mother, try to avoid retinol
7. Try to avoid using retinol combinations with other products like AHA, BHA, Glycolic or Hyaluronic acid.
Presentation by
Dr. Eshita zaman Tonny
Medical officer
Banani branch
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