Sunday, October 26, 2008

Using Products With Retinol A- Are They Anti Wrinkle Wonder Creams

By Julie Samtsonn

There is a multitude of wrinkle creams on the market today. All of them claiming similar, wonderful results fast. Prices vary widely and some are over-the-counter or other prescription medicine. It's easy to believe claims by products that contain Retinol (a type of A Vitamin) but to understand how it works, you need to start with the forms of Retinoic acid or Tretinion. There are prescription forms of this as well as milder forms sold over-the-counter.

Basically, wrinkle formation occurs as you age, from various factors, heredity, excess sun exposure, or smoking, and natural aging-which causes the outer layer of the skin to become dry and the previously plump skin cells, become shriveled forming the wrinkle appearance, much like an orange shriveling that was left in the refrigerator too long. Underlying the surface, the skin cells begin to lose their elastin and collagen, which as the basic facial muscle structure cells. Anti-wrinkle creams actually work on the premise of superficially removing the dry, dead outer layer of skin, (anything containing acid in it's name) and by making the underlying skin plumper, increasing elastin and collagen and increasing anti-oxidants.

Retinoic Acid and Tretinoin, are the FDA proven prescription creams that reduce wrinkles. There are many over-the-counter creams sold in stores and the internet, and while these can claim to contain Retinol A, it is important to note that the FDA allows them to be sold without prescription, because they do not contain enough Retinol A to be considered worthy of monitoring. In other words, they are a milder form of the prescription treatments available. That is not to say, they do not have some effectiveness, but it is important to understand that these are milder forms, and the effects are temporary, whether prescription or over-the-counter, once the treatment is stopped.

The strength levels of Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin from weakest form to strongest are Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A), Retinol A, Retinaldehyde, and Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin, (under the prescription name, also known as Retin A or Renova).

When you are looking at the active ingredient list on anti wrinkle creams, it is important to compare the level, as it would take longer and more frequent applications of Retinyl palmitate to equal the Retinol A, longer and more frequent applications of Retinol A to equal Retinaldehyde applications. So when comparing pricing, it is important to consider that you may need more anti wrinkle cream, (because of more applications), of a weaker concentration to get the effects of the next step up and so on.

With Retinoic acid, the over-the-counter, slower process may actually be a better solution for many people. The prescription levels can cause excessive redness and skin irritations, and if chronic, the use must be discontinued. In the weaker forms, a person may experience these symptoms on a lesser scale, but they allow the skin a gradual adaptation to the retinoids, from the Retinoic acid. In some cases, the prescription is stopped and they go to the over-the-counter remedies and in reverse, if you do not see the results you want, and do not experience side effects from the over-the-counter, you may decide to see a dermatologist and get the prescription strength. Either way, it is agreed, it is a proven anti wrinkle cream ingredient.

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