Ask a dermatologist what the one topical product is that’s proven to diminish wrinkles, brown spots and acne. The answer will be Retin-A. Okay, some will say tretinoin but that’s the same. Tretinoin is to Retin-A what Ibuprofen is to Motrin. It’s just a brand name, but since most of us refer to it as Retin-A, I will just use it to refer to tretinoin and other brand names of tretinoin like Refissa and Differin. We’ve discussed Retin-A in greater depth here.
Yesterday I went with my friend to the dermatologist because she is interested in beginning an anti-aging regimen and I wanted to hear what the derm would present to her. I’ve been using Retin-A for years so I’ve experienced some of the side effects that some people may not be ready for when they begin using the potent cream. My friend, who has beautiful skin, basically grew up in the lounge chair beside me on the beach in Florida. She doesn’t have blemishes or brown spots but is starting to see the effects of the sun in the form of lines and dullness. She asked the dermatologist if she thought she should start using Retin-A. The dermatologist said she sees Retin-A as a wonder cream. She often recommends that patients start using it before they see any signs of aging because it’s like insurance for your skin. It’s the only topical product that has been clinically proven to show significant improvement on photo damaged skin. The results aren’t just superficial either. It has been shown to remodel skin at a cellular level as well.
So, you’re probably thinking, why the hell am I not using this stuff?! Or you may already be. Retin-A is available by prescription only, but we live in a world where almost anything is available online. I know there are people who hear how great it is, google it and have a tube delivered to their door without ever seeing a doctor or talking to one about it. Let me tell you, you need to know what you’re doing when using Retin-A. Using it incorrectly or in combination with other products may cause more harm than good. It’s a prescription for a reason. It works so well because it’s potent stuff, and potent stuff usually has some drawbacks. Seriously, talk to a doctor before you start using Retin-A. You will avoid potential damage and risks.
When the dermatologist went over the instructions on how to use Retin-A yesterday, I could see my friend start to question if she really wanted to use it. Do this, don’t do this….it’s a little overwhelming and scary when you start hearing about how your skin will likely look before it gets better. There are important things to avoid and ways to use it that could be the difference between success and failure. I thought it would be nice if my friend could go home with a checklist or a reference guide of some sort. That led me to create one. Important: I am not a doctor or medical professional. I made this checklist as a reference and it should not be used in place of licensed practitioner’s instructions. Always consult your doctor when using any skincare regimen.
Do you have anything to add or have any experiences you can share? Good, bad, ugly?
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