Retinoic acid is a synthesized substance. It is made on the basis of vitamin A and other components. Differs in sensitivity to light and has a low molecular weight compound, due to which it penetrates well through cell membranes.
Application
Retinoic acid in cosmetology has a fairly wide application. Most often it is used for the treatment of acne and psoriasis, peeling, as well as to remove age-related changes on the face. Creams and ointments based on it can be used at home, but a number of procedures are carried out by a specialist.
Retinoids, as ingredients, have a positive effect on the growth and maturation of epithelial cells, as well as on the functioning of the immune system.
For the purpose of correct treatment, even home procedures should be carried out after a doctor's prescription.
Vitamin A and its importance
In addition to cosmetology, retinoids are also used in medicine, in particular in the fight against cancer. It is known that oncological diseases are often provoked by insufficient intake of vitamin A. Studies have shown that retinoic acid can inhibit the development of cancer cells.
Vitamin A is found naturally in foods such as:
- dark green, yellow and red vegetables;
- fish oil;
- fish;
- cod liver.
Action of the substance on the skin
Retinoic acid is quite often a component of many cosmetic products for the face and body. She has been proven to be able to perform actions such as:
- eliminate age spots;
- scar softening;
- fighting acne;
- reduce wrinkles and stretch marks.
However, in some cases, irritation may also occur, so consult a specialist before using a face cream with such an ingredient or a peeling procedure based on it.
Precautions
Retinoic acid can be quite effective for your skin if used wisely. So, for example, after you have applied a product based on it on your face, you should not be exposed to sunlight, do not forget about sunscreen. One of the properties of the acid is to make the skin receptive to light.
It cannot be used if:
- skin is too sensitive;
- allergic present;
- have skin diseases;
- have viral infections;
- there are warts on the skin;
- have hepatitis;
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
So that the substance does not accumulate in the tissues in excessive doses, one should not be too zealous. For example, peeling with retinoic acid or masks based on it should not be done more than once a week, and preferably even less often.
Effective method
Retinoic peeling is a great technique to make the skin clear and smooth. It has a median effect. It is based on the use of acid, which allows you to retain moisture and restore epidermal cells.
It has the following effects:
- eliminates pollution;
- relieves inflammation and bacteria;
- makes the skin he althier in appearance, improves its structure;
- pulls her up;
- skin whitens;
- blackheads, wrinkles and blackheads are removed;
- prevent possible dermatological diseases.
Peeling is not harmful, living cells are not destroyed during the procedure. It slows down the aging of the skin and gives a noticeable rejuvenating effect, which lasts an average of about 4 months.
Instructions
Retinoic peeling is performed both by a specialist and at home after consultation with him. One session lasts about three hours. For the procedure to be successful, retinoic acid must be applied correctly. Instructions for using products based on it provide for the preliminary use of the composition with salicylic acid for preparation. Further, depending on the concentration of the active substance in the product, it differs.
In the first case, the composition must be applied up to 3 times inclusive. It all depends on the condition of the skin and its type. AsAuxiliary agents are used ascorbic, phytic and azelaic acids. The procedure is stopped when the face turns red, then a special facial care after peeling is applied.
And in the second case, retinoic acid is applied to the face, including the eyelid area along the ciliary edge. The exception is products with depigmenting components. Eyelashes and eyebrows are not touched.
When the mask hardens after 20 minutes, it turns into a film. After another 10 hours, it must be washed off or removed, the skin is not touched during the day.
As for the concentration of retinoic acid, the doctor prescribes it based on individual characteristics. The course of procedures includes from 3 to 5 sessions, which are carried out every 3-6 weeks.
Effects of peeling
Most often, after the procedure, the skin may peel off. But you don’t need to speed it up, but you can apply a moisturizer. Sometimes edema appears as a local inflammatory reaction to irritation. They occur after capillary permeability increases when exposed to retinoids. Most often they form on the neck, around the eyes and in other areas, especially those with thin skin.
Often it becomes more sensitive, so you can not expose it to strong thermal shocks and influences, otherwise the complication may worsen and drag on.
Sometimes after exfoliation, the areas darken, and rashes may appear in the presence of liver diseases.
However, all thesethe consequences of a well-performed procedure do not appear, and the peeling has the desired effect.
Also, in order to prevent this, you need to take into account the contraindications that are already listed above.
Face ointment
For home use for acne, retinoic acid is available in a special form - a drug in the form of a special ointment based on vitamin A. It also restores epithelial cells and can inhibit the sebaceous glands.
The key active ingredient of the ointment is isotretinoin (retinoic acid). It has the following effects on the skin:
- slows down the aging process by effectively reducing wrinkles;
- does not allow cell division in follicles, which subsequently prevents the formation of comedones;
- reduces the pace of the sebaceous glands, which prevents the formation of new inflammatory foci on the face.
This ointment is not the only way to improve the skin. Other retinoic acid enriched creams based on vitamin A can also be found. Such products effectively fight wrinkles, acne, inflammation and other problems specific to the skin of the face.
How to use?
Instructions for the ointment provide for its application to the face twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. But for starters, it is better to start only with an evening intake shortly before bedtime. It is advisable to wash the skin in advance.
If it has sensitivity, but the product should be applied only to the affected areas and in a thin layer. Extremelyit is advisable to do an allergy and sensitivity test.
When treating acne with this remedy, severe peeling may occur. Then we set aside the ointment for a couple of days and replace it with moisturizers.
What people say
Of course, retinoic acid acts differently in each case. Reviews of funds based on it are also different.
If we talk about ointments, they are quite controversial. Some people write that it helped to cope with acne, while others say that the skin became better, but they did not disappear. Still others believe that retinoic acid in the composition of the ointment helps, but not as much as other means of a similar purpose. At the same time, there are practically no negative reviews, the remedy did not help someone cope with acne, but it is well suited as a moisturizer or preventive measures.
As for the peeling procedure based on retinoic acid, there are practically no complaints here either. Basically, everyone notes an excellent rejuvenation effect that lasts for several months.
Some side effects such as sensitivity and blemishes on the face are almost non-existent, but flaking is common, which causes considerable discomfort.
Patients often experienced unpleasant pain during the procedure and for the first time after it, but they quickly passed. Sometimes there were cases of the appearance of spots, but this manifested itself due to the presence of certain diseases or individual characteristics of a person.
And so the only significant drawback of this procedure, everyone considers its high cost.
It can be concluded that retinoic acid in cosmetology, in particular in facial care, helps quite well in the fight against age-related manifestations and unwanted rashes in the form of acne or blackheads.
