RETINOL 101
Retinoids are the most important friend of acne and aging skin. This miracle skin care ingredient is derived from Vitamin A, but not all retinol or retionid products are created equally.
The proper formulation and concentration of retinoids in topical skincare products can indeed reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. In fact, it’s the only topical product that has been repeatedly proven to do so. Retinoids can also also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, fade age spots and soften rough patches of skin.
However, retinoids require some care when using — they can cause dryness, irritation, and may take 6-12 months before results are visible. It’s also very important to wear SPF during the day, because retinoids increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.
While over the counter & cosmetic retinoids exist, the effectiveness of these is likely not going to compare to a prescription retinoid. And, when you are using a prescription retinoid prescribed by a licensed physician who is familiar with your skin type, you know you are getting the highest quality formula + customized aftercare to ensure best results.
Tretinoin (Retin-A) is probably the most prescribed retinol and most widely studied as well. It has conclusively shown to reduce the signs of aging and photodamge in both long term and short term clinical studies. Tretinoin is available in different strengths, which can be customized to a patient’s particular skin type, age, sensitivity, and other factors.
Welltopix Med Spa offers telemedicine and virtual visits to prescribe Tretinoin. During our virtual visits, physicians at Welltopix will help you develop a tailored skin care routine from the comfort of your own home. We also package our own Tretinoin sourced from our private pharmacy to help us quality control the product. This helps ensure you never receive an expired or questionable product. By using our pharmacy, we can also then ship the customized skin care products & Tretinoin to your home so that you can have your best skin every day, all without ever leaving your home.
If you would like an in-person or virtual skin consultation, please call us at (616) 516-6230 or email us at doctor@welltopixmedspa.com to set up an appointment.