Retinoids? What are they and are they worth the hype?
There is a lot of misinformation about vitamin A aka retinoid, Retin-A, retinol, pro-retinol or retinoic acid, so lets clarify what retinoids are. Are they scary to use, if they are all the same, how best to use them and are they worth the hype?
What are retinoids?
Retinol, a member of the retinoid family, is derived from vitamin A and when applied to the skin, it gets absorbed and interacts with receptors called retinoid receptors. It goes through a process called oxidation to convert it to the active form, all trans retinoic acid, which then unlocks the retinoid receptor. Retinoids improve skin texture by increasing cell turnover and fibroblast function, leading to fewer fine lines and a more youthful appearance. They also help with uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.
It’s important to note that starting retinol can cause fear and anxiety, but with proper usage and consultation with a skincare professional, it can bring promising results.
What are retinoids?
Retinol, a member of the retinoid family, is derived from vitamin A and when applied to the skin, it gets absorbed and interacts with receptors called retinoid receptors. It goes through a process called oxidation to convert it to the active form, all trans retinoic acid, which then unlocks the retinoid receptor. Retinoids improve skin texture by increasing cell turnover and fibroblast function, leading to fewer fine lines and a more youthful appearance. They also help with uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.
It’s important to note that starting retinol can cause fear and anxiety, but with proper usage and consultation with a skincare professional, it can bring promising results.
“Retinol is the golden ingredient that delivers everything from solving acne to improving the appearance of aging skin,” says Debbie Thomas, Founder of the laser skin clinic D.Thomas in London.
Retinol, a member of the retinoid family, is derived from vitamin A and when applied to the skin, it gets absorbed and interacts with receptors called retinoid receptors. It goes through a process called oxidation to convert it to the active form, all trans retinoic acid, which then unlocks the retinoid receptor. Retinoids improve skin texture by increasing cell turnover and fibroblast function, leading to fewer fine lines and a more youthful appearance. They also help with uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.
It’s important to note that starting retinol can cause fear and anxiety, but with proper usage and consultation with a skincare professional, it can bring promising results.
Benefits of retinol
for your skin
It may take 8-12 weeks to start seeing the benefits of using retinoids, so don’t expect miraculous overnight results. You need to persevere, over time retinoids will give you clearer healthier skin and reduce the likelihood of scarring.
Increased cellular
turnover
Collagen
stimulation
Improve
skin tone
Prevent
breakaouts
How to use retoinods
As vitamin C plays a leading defensive role against the environment, I find that it fits best within a great daytime routine. Vitamin C is active on the skin for 24 hours so a once-daily application is sufficient. It is perfectly safe to use whilst trying to conceive, during pregnancy and throughout breastfeeding. For l-ascorbic acid to be efficacious in the skin it must be formulated at a pH of 3.5 which is quite acidic and could potentially be irritating. If you have very sensitive or reactive skin, make sure to patch test first to see how your skin gets on with it.
It’s wise to purchase a well-packaged and well-formulated product to ensure a good shelf-life for your product. Store in a cool and fairly dark place as sunlight can lead to oxidation, which you’ll notice if the colour changes to a dark orangey-brown. Air-tight pumps are the best packaging but if using a serum with a dropper, make sure the lid is tightly secured after each use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use of Pro-Retinols
How To Use Retinols
How To Use Retin-A
Skincare for Men
Acne is categorised as chronic inflammation of the sebaceous glands.
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Skin of Colour
Acne is categorised as chronic inflammation of the sebaceous glands.
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Combination Skin
Acne is categorised as chronic inflammation of the sebaceous glands.
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The iconic Jennifer Aniston recently shared a snap of how she keeps her lymphatic system in tip-top 💆♀️
Courtesy of the wellness-boosting pressotherapy boots—which are the equivalent of 20 hands massaging you at once! 👖
@britishvogue shares all you need to know on the groundbreaking lymphatic drainage massage.
You can try Jennifer Aniston’s lymphatic massage boots now with our Slimyonik treatment, which works to boost your lymphatic system, metabolism, circulation, detoxification and more! ⤵️
SLIMYONIK 🧬
• no downtime
• pain-free
• available standalone or as an add-on
• pregnancy safe
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Ready to detox your skin from the sun, fun and late summer nights?
Lymphatic Drainage: why it’s the real ‘detox’ to restore your inner glow.
Don’t fall for the marketing hype—you can’t just ‘do a detox’. Instead, you CAN support your body’s natural detox pathways with lymphatic drainage, nurturing your skin from within.
Why is detoxification important? 🧬
It stimulates a healthier environment for your skin by fostering collagen and elastin development, boosting cell metabolism, increasing cell turnover, and improving the skin barrier. As you gently stimulate your lymphatic system, you’re aiding your body in its innate detoxifying process.
Use lymphatic drainage to reconnect with your body’s natural rhythm, and let the science-backed benefits unfold.
D.Thomas Clinic treatments that boost your lymph system:
💆♀️ Our Slimyonik pressotherapy massage for your body, which can be done alongside your skin treatment or standalone
💆♀️ Also found in our Hydrafacial Skin Booster treatment
💆♀️ Available upon request in our DNA 1 & 2 treatments for your face
Lymphatic drainage is entirely pain-free with no downtime!
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How we treat pigmentation using our various technologies ⤵️
👉 Laser
Mostly found in our DNA 2 and standalone treatments, our laser technologies tackle pigmentation at all levels, such as our AdvaTx which works to destroy the melanin of existing pigmentation while stimulating the production of healthy, new skin cells in your deeper skin layers.
👉 IPL
Found in our DNA 2 or Skin Booster treatment, IPL delivers short pulses of light which are absorbed by melanin found in age spots, sun spots and pigmentation areas, destroying the melanin for the pigmentation to eventually flake or fade away
👉 Peels
Found in our bespoke signature treatments, our peels can be used in conjunction with laser technology for a layered, comprehensive approach to tackling pigmentation. From suppressing new pigment production to gently exfoliating dead, pigmented skin cells from the surface.
🧬 We may layer multiple technologies within your treatment to bring out the best results for your skin needs!
👀 Please note: the specific technology we call upon to treat your pigmentation will depend on your skin needs and goals. During your consultation, our team of experts will assess your skin to determine the best course of action for you.
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There isn’t much that can’t be treated with our DNA Laser Complete Grade 2 ⚡ using our infamous bespoke DNA method.
From persistent pigmentation to pesky acne, from subtle scarring to the signs of time – experience our most popular and versatile skin treatment that helps to transform skin to it’s healthiest state.
Involving a comprehensive blend of our cutting edge technology, techniques and products for a multi-layered approach tailored to your skin needs. Our approach remains gentle, never compromising your skin barrier, yet effective.
Extra information:
🤰 not pregnancy safe!
🧬 one of our bespoke signature treatments
⚡️ requires a patch test
💪 available for face and body
#laserfacials #skinclinic #laserfacial #lasertreatment #dthomasclinic #debbiethomas #AdvancedSkinCare
