Retin-A Review
Acne–the ever present, ever irksome skin problem. Blackheads and whiteheads tend to make us feel that we look bland–even though we’re actually oiled up. These “heads” are what are also known as comedonal acne, which is actually like a dump for dead skin in the hair follicle openings. Open ones are blackheads while the closed are white. Many of us have these and it is a good thing to get rid of them, for beauty purposes or simply for hygiene needs.
Retin-A promotes cell turnover, making the production of new skin cells, to push out the old dead ones. Moreover, it can help prevent the formation of new heads by simply not letting the dead skin cells accumulate and deposit due to the instantaneous formation of the new ones. And best of all, for those age-conscious people out there, this product has been proven scientifically to lessen wrinkles. So where’s the” but” in all of this?
The increased turnover of skin cells can have a few minor side effects such as skin irritation and flaking. You’ll feel like you’re molting. This makes many people believe that there is no progress or that it is doing more harm than good, and although the peeling has no real direct effect on health or dermatological problems, people generally discontinue its use in a week or two after using the product. The important thing that they are missing out on is the fact that it takes about half to one entire year to see the full/noticeable effects of Retin-A. After all, a little a day for a year is a lot cheaper than a one-time plastic surgery costing a fortune.
There are a few other quite important facts you need to know when using Retin-A. It is better to avoid direct sunlight or exposure to UV rays, the likes of which appear in tanning beds. It should not be used on damaged skin of any sort and if accidentally put on eyes, nose or mouth area, it should be washed with water immediately.
It is best to use this product at night before bed–even a little will do, and wash it out in the morning to reduce the signs of flaking. It would be pretty useful to apply a moisturizer after washing to make the drying effects more tolerable. In any case should you feel irked beyond capability, take a break for a couple of days but don’t give it up completely- patience will certainly pay off.