Retinoic acid is a synthesized substance. It is made on the basis of vitamin A and other components. It is characterized by 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 to treat acne and psoriasis, peelings, 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 constituents, 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 proper treatment, even home procedures should be carried out after the appointment by a doctor.
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 cancer is often triggered by insufficient intake of vitamin A. Studies have shown that retinoic acid can inhibit the development of cancer cells.
Vitamin A in its natural form is found in foods such as:
- dark green, yellow and red vegetables;
- fish fat;
- fish;
- Cod liver.
The effect of the substance on the skin
Retinoic acid quite often is a component of many cosmetics for the face and body. It is proved that it is capable of exerting such actions as:
- elimination of age spots;
- softening scars;
- fight against acne;
- reduction of wrinkles and stretch marks.
However, in some cases, irritation may also be observed, therefore, before applying a face cream with such an ingredient or peeling procedure based on it, consult a specialist.
Precautionary measures
Retinoic acid can be quite effective for your skin if used correctly. So, for example, after you apply a product based on it to your face, you can not be exposed to sunlight, do not forget about sunscreen. One of the features of the acid is to make the skin susceptible to light.
You can not use it if:
- the skin is too sensitive;
- there is an allergy;
- there are skin diseases;
- there are 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 must not be too zealous. For example, peeling with retinoic acid or a mask based on it cannot be done more often than once a week, and preferably even less.
Effective method
Retinoic peeling is a great technique to make skin clean and smooth. It has a median effect. It is based on the use of acid, which allows you to save moisture and restore epidermal cells.
He has such actions:
- eliminates pollution;
- eliminates inflammation and bacteria;
- makes the skin more healthy externally, improves its structure;
- pulls her up;
- the skin is bleached;
- black spots, wrinkles and blackheads are removed;
- possible dermatological diseases are prevented.
Peeling is not harmful; living cells are not destroyed during the procedure. It slows down the aging of the skin and gives a noticeable anti-aging effect, which lasts on average about 4 months.
Instruction manual
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 succeed, retinoic acid must be applied correctly. The instruction for the use of funds based on it provides for the preliminary use of the composition with salicylic acid for preparation. Further, depending on the concentration of the active substance in the agent, 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. As auxiliary agents, ascorbic, phytic and
azelaic acids are used. The procedure is stopped when the face turns red, then a special facial care product is applied after peeling.
And in the second case, retinoic acid is applied to the face, including the eyelid region along the ciliary edge. The exception is funds with depigmenting components. In this case, do not touch the eyelashes and eyebrows.
When the mask hardens after 20 minutes, it turns into a film. After another 10 hours, it needs to be washed off or removed, we don’t touch the skin during the day.
As for the concentration of retinoic acid, it is prescribed by the doctor based on individual characteristics. The course of procedures includes from 3 to 5 sessions, which are held every 3-6 weeks.
The consequences of peeling
Most often, the skin may peel off after the procedure. But it is not necessary to accelerate, but you can apply a moisturizer. Sometimes, as a local inflammatory reaction to irritations, edema appears. 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, therefore it is impossible to expose it to strong thermal differences and effects, otherwise the complication may worsen and greatly drag on.
Sometimes after exfoliation, the areas darken, and in the presence of liver diseases, rashes may appear.
However, all these consequences do not appear with a correctly conducted procedure, and peeling has the desired effect.
Also, in order to prevent this, it is necessary to take into account the contraindications that are already listed above.
Face ointment
For home use for acne, a special form of retinoic acid is available in the form of a special ointment based on vitamin A. It also restores epithelial cells and can inhibit the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
The key active ingredient in the ointment is isotretinoin (retinic acid). It has the following effects on the skin:
- slows down the aging process by effectively getting rid of 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.
Such an ointment is not the only means to improve the skin. You can find another enriched cream with retinoic acid based on vitamin A. Such funds effectively fight wrinkles, acne, inflammation and other problems characteristic of facial skin.
How to use?
The instructions for the ointment provide for its application to the face twice a day: morning and evening. But for starters, it is better to start only with an evening meal shortly before bedtime. It is advisable to wash the skin in advance.
If it is sensitive, but the product should be applied only to the affected areas and with a thin layer. It is highly advisable to do an allergy and sensitivity test.
When treating acne with this tool, severe peeling may appear. Then put off the ointment for a couple of days and replace it with moisturizers.
What people say
Naturally, in each case, retinoic acid acts differently. Reviews about the funds based on it are also different.
If we talk about ointments, then they are quite contradictory. Some people write that she helped to cope with acne, while others - 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 drugs for a similar purpose. At the same time, there are practically no negative reviews, the remedy did not help someone to deal with acne, but it is also suitable as a moisturizer or preventative measures.
As for the peeling procedure based on retinoic acid, there are practically no complaints here either. Basically, everyone notes an excellent rejuvenation effect, which lasts for several months.
Side effects, such as sensitivity and the appearance of spots on the face, are practically not found, but peeling happens often, which causes considerable discomfort.
Patients often during the procedure and the first time after it experienced unpleasant pain, but they quickly passed. Sometimes there were cases of the appearance of spots, but this was manifested due to the presence of certain diseases or individual characteristics of a person.
And as the only significant drawback of this procedure, everyone considers its high cost.
It can be concluded that retinoic acid in cosmetology, in particular for face care, helps quite well in the fight against age-related manifestations and unwanted rashes in the form of acne or black spots.