A retinol product is an essential component of any medical-grade skincare program. Dr. Melissa at Timeless Youth MD, a medical spa located in West Des Moines, IA offers advanced skincare formulations to create a tailored program for your skin. Let’s delve into the topic of retinol, and the love-hate relationship it can create in your quest for optimal skincare results!
What is retinol?
Retinol is a form of vitamin A. It has many uses in skincare, from acne to anti-aging. It is available over the counter, in medical-grade skincare, and as a prescription. Prescriptions will have a higher concentration of retinoids than over the counter products.
What are the benefits of retinol for the skin?
Retinol works to increase skin cell turnover, unclog pores, exfoliate the skin, increase collagen production, and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The result of these actions is increased thickness and elasticity of your skin, slowed production of melanin (pigment), reduced inflammation, and fewer clogged pores.
What does retinol treat?
Studies show that retinol is effective in treating acne, acne scars, dark spots (hyperpigmentation), large pores, melasma, stretch marks, and wrinkles.
When will I notice more clear, radiant skin?
Retinol starts to work at the cellular level right away, but it does take several weeks to see and feel the improvement in your skin. This delay has to do with your cell turnover time (4-6 weeks), pushing the old cells out and bringing the new rejuvenated cells to the skin’s surface.
What are the side effects of retinol?
As you’ve learned, retinol is an amazingly effective skincare product. The challenge is that retinol can also cause dry, irritated skin, itching, burning, redness, peeling, flaky or scaly skin. The higher the concentration of the retinoids in the product, the more likely you are to experience side effects. And your skin will be more sensitive to the sun, so if used improperly or without sunscreen in your skincare regimen, it can lead to sunburn.
How can I make retinol work in my skincare program?
Retinol is typically applied in the evening. If you’ve gotten a prescription from your doctor, usually these are applied first. Often you need to “ramp up” use of a prescription retinol to minimize side effects. For example, you use it twice weekly, and slowing increase over several weeks, ideally to nightly. But many people struggle to use a prescription level retinol nightly, especially in the winter when our skin is already drier.
At Timeless Youth MD, we LOVE the skinbetter Science line of retinol products (medical-grade skincare) because its formulation provides the benefits of retinol, in the form of a retinoid-alpha hydroxy acid molecule, WITHOUT the irritation side effects. You can start using it every night; no need to “build up” over time. Dr. Melissa believes that nightly use increases long-term compliance, because you don’t have to “remember it” on certain days but not others.
Dr. Melissa often recommends that you use hyaluronic acid and moisturizer after applying retinol. Hyaluronic acid soothes and plumps your skin, and moisturizer locks moisture into the skin. These products can temporize the potential side effects of retinol. Of course, use of daily sunscreen is ESSENTIAL if you are using retinol in your skincare regimen, to protect your skin from sunburn.
How do I get started?
Dr. Melissa at Timeless Youth MD is a premier aesthetic specialist serving West Des Moines, Waukee, Urbandale, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, and Adel, IA. In addition to medical grade skincare, we offer Botox and Dysport, dermal fillers, microneedling, chemical peels, PRP therapy, and lip injections, just to name a few. With a surgical background and a keen interest in aesthetics, Dr. Melissa combines precision and passion to provide superior grade aesthetic services. A personalized skincare regimen is an essential component to your aesthetic journey. Dr. Melissa would love to help you achieve radiant, youthful skin that stands the test of time.
Take the first step towards timeless beauty and increased self-confidence by booking an appointment with us today. Get started by speaking to our AI assistant on our website, ready to assist you 24/7. Timeless beauty is within reach with Dr. Melissa, and we can’t wait to welcome you into our Timeless Youth MD family.
