At this point in my life (yes, I’ll be 38 this year), I’m starting to really check out the wrinkles in the mirror. It doesn’t help having a 12 and 8-year-old who constantly monitor my aging process.
"So you'll be 44 when I graduate high school, wow!"
While I don’t harsh the people who opt for plastic surgery--it’s just not for me. I would like to think my semi-overly white complexion from slathering on SPF 40 for years (I’m legit scared of the sun) and lack of beach-time has served me well.
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But I do look to the drugstores for help--I’m human and vain, right?
Additionally, there seems to be so many products on the market that promise to “erase those lines and wrinkles without the pain of surgery.”
Retinol is the active ingredient in many of those over-the-counter products. I wonder since it’s been around since the 1970’s why it’s not more popular and why am I not fully on board?
Turns out the side effects have effectively scared away many for decades. But are we accurate in our assumption(s) that this product is riddled with adverse secondary effects?
Debra Jaliman, M.D., author of the book Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist, says it just might be the problem of the populous as to why Retinol has gotten such a bad rap.
“Many people use it incorrectly which can lead to redness, itching, and peeling. Skin sensitivity is the major reaction when used incorrectly.”
According to Jaliman, retinol is actually quite effective when used correctly and she recommends it to her patients who are looking for a non-invasive way to diminish lines and wrinkles.
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“It decreases the cohesiveness of the epidermal cell causing it to slough off, it gives the skin a glow, and stimulates collagen production.”
Turns out retinol is not just a remedy for cosmetic purposes but can be used effectively for patients who suffer from eczema or rosacea. This definitely makes it something worth looking into for many, under the guidance of a clinician.
Dr. Jaliman also acknowledges that there are other remedies out there for people who are looking to put the wrinkles and lines on the back-burner.
“Aside from retinol, people usually opt for copper peptides, pentapeptides, growth factors, and vitamin C.”
So before you set your mind against skin treatments containing retinol or other non-surgical remedies, check in with your doctor or your dermatologist for the right way to use these products--and consult those experts if you have questions.
Do you have any skin treatments you recommend to turn back the clock?
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Tara Weng is the national editor of parenting and health for GalTime. She is also a media consultant with a focus on medical and consumer topics. Her professional experience includes a stint as a medical/features producer at the NBC affiliate in Boston, MA and a media relations position at a top teaching hospital in Boston. Tara has also done public relations consulting work and has written for several online and print media outlets. She is a wife and a mother to two children (who are fantastic) and an enthusiastic New England sports fan.
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