So, you’ve begun your journey on the road to younger, brighter looking skin. You’ve come into our office and consulted about various options to begin your at-home treatment plan. You’ve done your research and a swarm of medical and aesthetic terms swims around your head. Then, your aesthetic provider says it is wise to begin using a cream with hyaluronic acid in it. He/she also mentions that a prescription of tretinoin can help with cell turnover. Oh, and also, vitamin C is a great brightening agent that should also be used, but at a different time of day so as not to have any contraindications with the tretinoin.
This all sounds like a lot! Why are we using acid on our face? Isn’t that in the fillers that you use? And what about this tretinoin stuff? It sounds intense. Vitamin C goes on our faces now?
Skincare can be quite a minefield to get through. With so many options out there, here’s an easy breakdown of these three terms and why we suggest their use in skincare.
Hyaluronic Acid
Yes, this is an acid, but not in the traditional sense of the term. It’s composed of polysaccharide molecules that are responsible for creating connective tissue in the body. When used in skincare, hyaluronic acid can have a hydrating, healing, or smoothing effect. It’s great for helping skin to naturally fill wrinkles. It is also a part of the reason why HA acid fillers are so effective. They are bio-compatible with the matrix of the skin cells and as such work with our body, not against it.
Tretinoin
You may have heard of this as Retin-A or retinol. In over-the-counter medication, it is a highly exfoliating form of Vitamin A that aids in cell turnover. This means that skin can renew itself at a faster rate than it would otherwise, which leads to more youthful skin. It is known in prescription form as tretinoin. When used appropriately it can prevent wrinkle formation and help resurface your skin. It may not be suitable for sensitive skin but many formulations contain gentler ratios of this ingredient for ease in use.
Read more about tretinoin.
Vitamin C
This potent free-radical fighter has internal and external benefits. When applied topically, it protects your skin from damaging pollutants and can soften the appearance of dark spots or hyperpigmentation on the skin. It’s known to add radiance to the skin by brightening it up and helping the cells repair themselves.
Sunscreen
It should also be noted that a sun block is a superstar treatment to use for sun damage prevention! There are many forms of sun block out there but we recommend: (all natural, mineral based, organic, zinc)
Read more about choosing a sunscreen.
Our skincare knowledge grows with time. These ingredients all come in a variety of topical applications such as serums, sprays, lotions, creams, etc. Now is the time to find which works for you to boost your skin’s radiance for healthy skin!
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