Retinol can penetrate deep into your skin's layers to activate collagen and elastin, which give your skin structure and support to prevent wrinkles. You can apply products that contain retinoids at home directly onto your skin as you would a lotion or a moisturizer.
Retinol increases skin cell production (proliferation). It helps unclog pores. Retinol also exfoliates your skin and increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, plump appearance.
If your primary concern is ageing, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone, retinol is likely your best bet. However, if you're looking to boost hydration, improve skin plumpness and maintain overall skin health, hyaluronic acid is the way to go.
However, it takes three to six months of regular use before improvements in wrinkles are apparent—and the best results take six to 12 months. Because retinoids can cause skin dryness and irritation, doctors often recommend using them only every other day at first and then gradually working up to nightly applications.
Retinoids that include retinol, retinal aldehyde (Retin-A), retinyl esters, adapalene, tazarotene and tretinoin are chemicals that come from vitamin A that help reduce lines and wrinkles in your skin and improve your skin's texture, pigment and hydration levels.
The retinol uglies can last anywhere from 4–8 weeks. The exact length of a retinoid purge depends very much on your skin type and sensitivity. The amount and strength of your retinoid product can also play a part. Some people experience a purge flare-up for only a few days, and others don't get it at all.
It's important to always start with clean, dry skin to make the most out of using retinol. Retinol penetrates the skin better and is more effective when applied after gently cleansing the skin with a mild face wash and toning it but before any moisturizer, since it acts as a treatment.
If you're considering getting Botox® or fillers to address facial wrinkles or fine lines, the best choice depends on the areas you're looking to improve. Lines of expression typically require Botox, while lines that usually sit at rest work better with dermal fillers.
1 - Glycolic Acid
A fantastic anti-aging product that does everything is glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is the most widely used alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) for skin care. Because it is the smallest AHA and is derived from sugar cane, it penetrates the skin the best.
If you're looking for more dramatic results, a dermatologist can recommend medical treatments for wrinkles. These include prescription creams and serums; injections of medicine such as Botox, Jeuveau, Xeomin, Daxxify, Sculptra, Radiesse; chemical peels; microneedling; and laser treatments.
Products with medium levels of retinol (0.2% to 0.4%) and retinoids visibly improve signs of aging more quickly than those with lower concentrations. Research has also demonstrated they improve visible signs of environmental assault and the appearance of thinning skin (4).
Generally, the cost of fillers can range anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per treatment session. BOTOX, on the other hand, typically costs less than fillers.
BOTOX smooths moderate to severe facial lines and wrinkles, crow's feet, and frown lines. If you have deeper wrinkles or folds, BOTOX injections may soften the look, or you may need to undergo a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation treatment.
Botox is widely recognised for its ability to temporarily relax facial muscles, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. In contrast, fillers are typically used to provide volume and fullness to areas that have lost their youthful plumpness.
As it is a very powerful ingredient, retinol can be used in the eye contour area, although with care, using only specific products for the eye contour area.
It can take time for your skin to get used to a retinoid. Start by applying it once or twice a week, and always at night. As your skin adjusts, you can work your way up to using it nightly. If your skin gets red, dry, or flaky, you may be moving too fast.
In short, the retinol sandwiching technique is as follows:
Apply a layer of moisturiser to damp skin. Allow this to dry completely. Apply your retinol. After giving retinol time to absorb, finish your skincare routine with a second layer of moisturiser.
For some people, stopping retinol abruptly may not lead to serious changes, but it's always best to consult a dermatology provider to determine the most suitable approach based on your specific circumstances. However, there is a chance your more obvious signs of aging may return after discontinuing retinol.
Going overboard on the potent ingredient (known to cause irritation and dryness at high concentrations) can dry out your skin and make your wrinkles look more noticeable, says Rebecca Kazin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C. Avoid this side ...
However, when used with retinol, the effect can be too harsh on the skin, and can cause burns or scarring. If you've gone overboard, applying a hydrocortisone cream over the area can help.