At R&R Aesthetics we are huge advocates of using a daily retinol!
Did you know that retinoids are one of the most researched skincare ingredients and have multiple clinical papers proving how well they work to improve skin texture, fine lines, wrinkles and acne? Retinoids and retinol are both derivatives of Vitamin A but have slightly different compounds, A retinoid is a prescription only product, A retinol is what you’ll commonly find in skincare products.
Topical retinoid was first introduced in the 1970s as ‘Retin-A’ to treat acne, it was soon discovered by researchers that it had the ability to fade actinic keratosis (sun spots), even out pigmentation and increase cell turnover, leading to a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.
A topical retinoid has to be prescribed and is only suitable for specific skin conditions. At R&R we are able to assess your skin condition and prescribe if necessary. For most people however a topical retinol will be enough to improve skin condition, without the need for a prescription.
Unfortunately retinol often has a bad reputation due to the irritation it can cause in some people. The good news is that this doesn’t have to be the case and irritation is often caused by not using retinol correctly. At R&R Aesthetics we can teach you the correct way to use retinol and how to incorporate it into a skincare routine to minimise irritation and to maximise your results.
What does retinol do to the skin?
Retinol stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen fibres, improves skin elasticity and promotes angiogenesis which means more blood vessels and oxygen and nutrients to the skin. Retinol also blocks the transport of melanin to the epidermis meaning a reduction in pigmentation. Retinol can help with the texture of the skin and appearance of pores. Because of its ability to remove dead skin and oil from pores its a great addition to skincare routines for those with acne. Retinol also has the ability to reduce inflammation in the skin, leading to less redness and breakouts.
Who is retinol for?
Everybody! At R&R we believe that everybody can benefit from retinol, even those with sensitive skin. We are proud to stock three different brands of retinol. AlumierMD, Skinbetter science and All Skin Med. By stocking these different ranges we can be sure to provide you with the correct product for your skin type.
Our favourite Retinols
Skin Better science Alpharet overnight cream
AlumierMD 0.25% 0.5% 1%
All skin med Essential, Ultra and Advanced Retinol programmes.
When using retinol it essential to protect your skin with a daily SPF. Our favourites are AlumierMD Sheer Hydration and Heliocare.
Before you decide on a retinol, have a skin consultation with us so we can determine which product will suit your skin type in order to maximise your results.
Did you know that we have a Visia Skin scanner in clinic so we can determine your skin type and create a personalised plan?
Please get in touch and book a skin health consultation today here
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