Everything You Need to Know About Retinoids

If there really is a fountain of youth, this is it. Retinoid is an umbrella term for acidic vitamin A and its derivatives. Retinoids are one of the most studied and research-backed ingredients in skin care products and are considered the most effective topicals to improve skin concerns such as acne, wrinkles, uneven texture, and hyperpigmentation. Read on to learn more about retinoids and how to add them to your skin care regimen the right way. 

What Strength of Retinoid Should You Use?  

Retinoids come in many different forms and a range of strengths, from over-the-counter retinol, which is what you’ll find in beauty products, to dermatologist-grade retinoid, also known as Retin-A or tretinoin. If you’re new to retinoids, it’s best to start with a lower-strength product and go from there.   

The Benefits of Using Retinoids 

Retinoids increase collagen production and promote skin cell turnover, which in turn helps with the prevention and treatment of the following skin concerns: 

Wrinkles - As we age, our skin produces less collagen. Retinoids prevent and treat wrinkles by directly stimulating collagen formation and inhibiting its breakdown.  

Enlarged Pores - Enlarged pores caused by photodamage or skin cell buildup are reduced as retinoids heal sun damage and clear the cellular debris around the pores, making their appearance smaller. 

Uneven Tone & Texture - By promoting new skin cell growth, retinoids reveal a fresher, smoother, more even layer of skin. 

Acne - The increased skin cell turnover brought on by retinoid use prevents the buildup that leads to acne and inflammation. Over time, acne scarring will be reduced as well. 

How to Use Retinoids Properly 

If you’re excited about the benefits of retinoids, that’s great! However, keep in mind that this is a strong product and you should start out slow, even if you’re using an over-the-counter retinol. For prescription-strength tretinoin, a dermatologist will assess your skin and coach you on how best to use it. Beyond that, it’s easy to add it to your daily skin care routine: 

1. Start by applying a pea-sized amount after prepping your skin at night with a gentle cleanser.  Using more than a small amount increases your risk of dryness, irritation, and redness, and doesn’t increase the product’s effectiveness. Wait at least twenty minutes after cleansing so your skin is dry, then spread a thin layer over your whole face, or just in the areas you need it. 
2. If your skin is new to retinoids or you’re starting on a higher strength, start off by applying your retinoid every third night. Then gradually increase to nightly as your skin learns to tolerate it. Start slow—your skin will thank you. 
3. Use a moisturizer right after applying your retinoid to prevent dryness. If that doesn’t do the trick, try applying a moisturizer before your retinoid. 
4. Sun protection is a must! Because retinoids make your skin more sensitive to the sun, always make sure to apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day.
5. Until your skin adjusts to the retinoid, avoid using other actives, like acids or vitamin C. Over time, you can add these back slowly.  

Aesthetic Treatments to Enhance Your Results 

Fans of retinoids often boast of an effect called “tret glow”, which is the glowing complexion they get after using the product for a while. You can get that glow faster and treat underlying skin concerns with the following aesthetic treatments to enhance your retinoid results. 

Powered by advanced radio frequency technology, Venus Viva™ MD skin resurfacing treatments safely correct signs of skin damage, improving the appearance of scars, visible pores, deep wrinkles, stretch marks, and uneven skin texture. They effectively reduce signs of skin damage and improve the appearance of uneven skin texture, no matter how fair or dark your skin tone. With just a couple of quick sessions, you'll notice a naturally smoother, more radiant, and healthier-looking complexion that lasts  

If sun damage and photoaging are your main concerns, Venus Versa™ Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) photofacials are a simple, non-surgical way to effectively target pigment under the skin's surface to reduce the appearance of discoloration and premature aging caused by sun exposure. The treatments correct sun spots, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and sagging skin using Intense Pulsed Light technology to rejuvenate skin from beneath the surface. Kickstarting collagen and elastin production reduces sun damage and improves skin tone and texture for a smoother, younger, and healthier appearance.  

Retinoids fight aging and wrinkling, and so do skin tightening and wrinkle reduction treatments, which deliver targeted radio frequency (RF) energy deep below the skin’s surface to stimulate skin cell renewal and promote increased collagen and elastin production. Using gentle heat to boost your skin’s natural processes, wrinkle reduction and skin tightening treatments support skin health from the inside out, restoring firmer, more youthful-looking skin.  

Want a shortcut to “tret glow”? Venus Glow™ facial renewal treatments flush out pores and pull dirt, excess oil, and impurities from below the skin’s surface, resulting in a more radiant, refreshed complexion. The micro-massaging tip then stimulates nutrients to spread through the derma layer and restore nourishment to tired, stressed skin. It’s a fast, safe, and effective way to leave skin feeling noticeably healthier, cleaner, and more hydrated.  

Find these and other Venus Treatment aesthetic treatments at a clinic near you by using the search field below.