Vitamin A (Retinoids)

 Vitamin A (Retinoid) in skin creams has the most clinically studied and effective anti-ageing effects of all the Vitamins.  In its strongest form it can be use to treat acne.

In the skin, Retinoids:

• Normalise abnormal skin cell growth which occurs with ageing or conditions such as acne and psoriasis.
  
  
• Normalise shedding of surface dead damaged skin cells and flushes out blackheads and whiteheads that cause acne.
  
  
• Reduce sebum production (oil)
  
  
• Increase the production of the cells that make Collagen which gives skin its strength.
  
  
• Down-regulate enzymes that breakdown collagen
  
  
• Increase production of the hydrating matrix within skin.
  

It comes in 3 forms.

1. Retinol - which is its weakest form as it needs to convert twice into the active form (Retinoic Acid). It is advised when the skin has:

• Sun damage
• Uneven skin tone
  
• Fine lines & wrinkles
  
• Laxity

and when your concerns are:

• Early signs of ageing

• Dull, rough skin

• Visible pores

• Uneven skin tone & texture

The Milecross Clinic supplies Retinol .5% within its Obagi360 kit and the Obagi Men's Leather Kit.

We Supply Retinol 1% separately, in Obagi Cracker 1 and within Obagi Men's Steel Kit.

2. Retinaldehyde - which is its intermediate strength form and only needs to be converted once into its active form (Retinoic acid). It is 20 times more potent than retinol but does not need to be prescribed.  It helps to:

• Improve the appearance of skin firmness and elasticity
• Reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and roughness
• Well tolerated by the skin and attractive over Retinoic Acid if you have sensitive skin
  

The Milecross Clinic supplies Retinaldehyde in Suzan Obagi Retivance Skin Rejuvenating Complex.

3. Retinoic Acid - which is its active form and the strongest version.

It is only available by prescription and therefore your Milecross Practitioner would need to be consulting and assessing you for use of this product (3 strengths of Tretinoin).

Epionce also has Vitamin A amongst other Vitamins its Intense Defence Serum.

Retinoids can taketime to be tolerated by the skin and The Milecross Clinic recommends using the Retinoid ladder system.

Start with the weakest most tolerable version of Retinoid (Retinol 0.5%) and work up to the Retinoid level most appropriate for your skin's needs.

Retinoids are only applied PM because the skin's cycle will utilise Retinoic Acid best overnight and also because sunlight can make skin more sensitive with a Retinoid applied to it.

It is essential that if you are using a Retinoid that you must always use a daily SPF.

Retinoids are always applied after other active products and before moisturiser.