Retinol For Aging Skin

We all desire youthful looking skin. We're constantly bombarded with anti-aging skin promotions and claims of new products that will make our skin smoother and tighter with less wrinkles. It's difficult to sort through the advertising hype to determine what really does work to minimize and slow- down the effects of aging skin.

Check the label for "Retinol". It is an active ingredient that is beneficial to both slowing down and improving the aging process of skin. Retinol is a purified form of Vitamin A, which purportedly has a rejuvenating effect on tired, sun damaged skin. When applied to the skin, Retinol is thought to perform both by stimulating new collagen formation as well as preventing the breakdown of existing collagen. Retinol appears to have a stimulatory effect on the fibroblasts that produce collagen as well as an inhibitory effect on enzymes that break down the collagen support structure.

What distinguishes Retinol. What makes Retinol unique is that its molecular structure is small enough to allow it to penetrate the skin. If a substance can’t penetrate the epidermis (top skin layer) and gain access to the dermis layer, it’s not going to have any real effect on skin aging. Thus, one major benefit of Retinol that distinguishes it from other skin care ingredients is its ability to reach the areas of the skin where it can have an effect on collagen production and collagen structure breakdown.

Another benefit of Retinol is it has the ability to increase the thickness of the outer surface of the skin, the epidermis. The result is a smoother, finer texture to the skin as well as an improvement in the appearance of superficial creases and wrinkles. Retinol also appears to have the ability to counteract some of the solar damage inflicted by the sun. However, Retinol shouldn’t be used if you spend time in the sun since it can increase sun sensitivity.

A Retinol study. A study done on thirty-subjects where 0.4% retinol was applied to one arm and a placebo to the other arm showed improvement in fine wrinkling on the treated area of the arm as well as a reduction in skin roughness. Skin biopsies performed after using retinol showed an increase in the precursors of collagen synthesis. This would seem to support the benefit of Retinol for skin rejuvenation.

Skin care product availability. Retinol, and variations are contained in cleansers, repair cremes, lift cremes and other non-prescription skin anti- aging products with low levels of Retinol. Higher concentrations can be prescribed by dermatologists but may be too irritating for some skin types. Consider trying over-the-counter products to test the results. If they not provide meaningful results after a few months, visit a dermatologist for his or her recommendations of getting a prescription for products with a high concentration of Retinol.

Image Skincare Ageless Products. Image Skincare Products features a "cosmeceutical" line of anti-aging skin products called "Ageless" that is only available from from licensed physicians and estheticians that offer professional treatments. Those licensed professionals that carry the line of Ageless products offer consumer skincare products that can be used in at-home anti-aging skin regimens.

Visit its website for a review of the benefits of it "Ageless Products". Ask them for a supplier in your immediate area. In Phoenix, visit Tranquil Infusion Skin Care, a facial skin care salon.