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Retinoids first appeared on the market as an acne-fighting medication in the 70s. However, since then, retinoid products have been used to treat all kinds of skin conditions from psoriasis to warts. Here’s how retinoids can help you maintain a healthy, youthful glow.
How do Retinoids Work?
Retinoids help encourage top-layer skin cells into a more rapid turnover cycle, making a lot of room for new cells underneath. They also work to thicken the deeper layers of the skin, where the most obvious wrinkles form first and help to preserve collagen, which gives skin its youthful fullness.
What do Retinoids Treat?
Retinoid products are used for a variety of treatments, from psoriasis to warts. Most commonly, retinoids are prescribed for the treatment of wrinkles, sagging skin, and light brown spots caused by exposure to the sun. Treating these spots helps restore a more even skin tone since retinoids work to stop the production of a darker pigment called melanin.
Only a pea-sized amount of retinoid cream is typically needed, as more has a higher chance of irritating the skin. While this high turnover of cells often causes redness and peeling for the first few weeks of use, but actually works to thicken the skin and help it maintain its elasticity.
What Are The Side-Effects?
The side-effects of retinoid products are relatively minor, with the most common being redness, skin irritation, tingling, stinging, itching, dryness, warmth, peeling, or mild discoloration of the skin. Rare side-effects such as hives or swelling can also occur in some patients. Not all patients experience skin irritation when first starting treatment, but most do. This usually subsides within a few weeks.
Contact Us
For more information on retinoid products and how they can help improve the look of your skin, or to set up an appointment with one of our certified dermatologists, contact us at Sanova Dermatology today!