Topical Treatments for Wrinkles

There are several options for topical treatments to improve your skin's health and appearance. This section discusses the treatments available to you that will remove your face's old skin, replace it with new skin, and reduce the fine lines you don't want.


Topical Retinoids Reduce Wrinkles

Tretinoin

Tretinoin (Avita, Renova, Retin-A, etc) is the acid form of vitamin A, and is available by prescription only. It has the longest track record of success in treating aging skin and fine lines.


All retinoids, including tretinoin, increase cell turnover and exfoliation by stimulating cell production underneath the skin. This process slows down with age, allowing layers of dead, thick, sun damaged skin cells to remain on the surface. As a result, skin looks dull and thick, pores look large, and sun-related damage such as age spots and blotchiness appear.


The acceleration of cell turnover caused by tretinoin encourages the exfoliation of these dead skin cells and allows healthier cells to appear. Skin will appear smoother and softer; pores will appear smaller and less noticeable; and signs of aging will start to diminish.


Studies show this cell rejuvenation produces healthier, plumper skin cells. As we age, skin cells start to become slightly misshapen and altered in appearance. The new skin cells stimulated by tretinoin start to more closely resemble the younger, healthier skin cells of our youth. Tretinoin has also been shown to stimulate new collagen production.


Creams containing tretinoin must be used on an ongoing basis for continued benefit. They usually produce redness, irritation, and heavy peeling at first, but discomfort can usually be minimized by lowering the cream's concentration (from experience, start with 0.025% concentration), or apply it less often until your skin gets used to it. In addition, tretinoin tends to increase skin sensitivity to ultraviolet rays (stay out of the sun and do not get into a tanning bed while using this medication).


Adapalene Reduces Wrinkles

Adapalene is a newer topical retinoid (Differin), and causes less skin irritation than tretinoin. It is more expensive than tretinoin (Renova), but its effectiveness at removing wrinkles is no better than tretinoin.


Tazarotene Reduces Wrinkles

Tazarotene is the newest topical retinoid on the market (Tazorac), and is the most irritating of the retinoid family. It is also the most expensive of the retinoids available.


Acid Peels Reduce Skin Wrinkles

An acid peel is a technique used to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin. The acid solution causes the dead skin to slough and eventually peel off. The regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.

There are three basic types of acid peels: 1) weak; 2) intermediate; and 3) strong. Be sure you know the differences with attendant advantages / disadvantages of each before you proceed. Before you decide which treatment is best for you, be sure to have two or three consultations with your medical care provider (and second opinions) to discuss your selection.

The weak acid peels can be purchased and administered without a medical license. However, to purchase and administer the intermediate and strong acid peels, you must seek professional medical help. Used incorrectly, you could be looking at permanent facial scarring.

ALWAYS REMEBER THIS: the stronger the acid peel, the higher the reward, and the higher the risk of permanent deformation and facial scarring for life!!


1) Weak Acid Peels

These acid peels are quite safe and cause no more than mild and temporary irritation. However, they produce only subtle and temporary improvement.
Alpha Hydroxyl Acid (AHA) is naturally occurring organic natural constituent of sugar cane juice, and lactic acid, which is found in sour milk and tomato juice. Diluted properly, it is the one of the mildest of the peel formulas, and produces light peels for treatment of fine wrinkles, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation, and acne. AHA can also be mixed with a facial wash or cream in lesser concentrations as part of a daily skin care regimen to improve the skin's texture.

AHA peels are used to reduce fine wrinkling, treat areas of dryness, reduce uneven pigmentation, aid in the control of acne, smooth rough dry skin, and improve the texture of sun–damaged skin.

AHA peels may cause stinging, cause skin redness, cause mild skin irritation, cause dryness, and take multiple treatments for desired results.

Beta Hydroxyl Acid (BHA) peels refers specifically to salicylic acid, which is used in some "anti–aging" creams and acne treatments. It is becoming common for BHA peels to be used instead of concentrated AHA peels due to BHA's ability to get deeper into the pores than AHA. Studies show that BHA peels control oil and acne, as well as remove dead skin cells better than AHA's.

Citric Acid is usually derived from lemons, oranges, limes and pineapples. These peels are simple and effective, although not incredibly invasive or capable of significant improvement with one treatment.

Glycolic Acid is formulated from sugar cane, and creates a mild exfoliating action. Glycolic acid peels work by loosening up your skin's horny layer and exfoliating your skin's superficial top layer. This peel also stimulates collagen growth. There are newer glycolic peels which are most potent and still do not irritate (Refinity and Cosmederm).

Lactic Acid is derived from either sour milk or bilberries. This peel will remove dead skin cells, and promote healthier, softer, and more radiant skin.

Malic Acid is the same type of mildly invasive peel derived from the extracts of apples. It can open up the pores, allow the pores to expel their sebum, and reduce acne.

Tartaric Acid is derived from grape extract and is capable of delivering the same benefits as the acid peels above.


2) Intermediate Acid Peels

Salicylic acid and trichloroacetic acid penetrate deeper into the skin than the weak acid peels. Deeper peels do a better job of smoothing fine lines. The deeper the peel, however, the greater the risk of side effects, such as long–lasting pigment changes (changes in the color of the skin), and scarring. Such peels must be performed by medical professionals. Although they do not require anesthesia, a mild sedative helps ease short–term, but fairly intense discomfort.

Retinoic acid peel is derived from retinoids, which is denatured Vitamin A. It is chemically similar to retinoids (Retin–A, Renova). This type of facial peel is also performed in the office of a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. This is a deeper peel than the BHA–peel, and is used to remove scars as well as wrinkles and pigmentation problems. It is usually performed in conjunction with a weak acid peel; which is performed right before, in order to open up the skin, so the retinoic can penetrate on a deeper level. You must leave the chemical peel solution on your face overnight. The peeling process takes place on the third day. More dramatic changes to the skin require multiple peels over time.

Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) peels are used in concentrations ranging from 20–50% for an intermediate–to–deep peel. Depth of penetration is increased as concentration increases, with 50% TCA penetrating into the reticular dermis. Concentrations higher than 35% are not recommended because of the high risk of scarring.

Trichloroacetic acid peels are preferred for darker–skinned patients over phenol. They smooth out fine surface wrinkles, remove superficial blemishes, and correct skin pigment problems.

Trichloroacetic acid peels may require pre–treatment with retinoids (Retin–A, Renova, etc) or AHA creams. They also require repeat treatment to maintain results, require the use of sunblock for several months (this is a must), and take several days to heal depending on the peel depth.


3) Strong Acid Peels

Phenol Acid peels is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces a deep skin peel. Recent studies suggest that phenol is most likely only the carrier for another active component in the solution, namely croton oil. In fact, phenol alone produces only a light peel which is ineffective for restructuring the deeper dermal structures (such as wrinkles). The term Phenol / Croton oil peel has been proposed as a more accurate descriptor, but the established terminology phenol peel continues to be of dominant usage, as the role of croton oil in the mix is not as widely understood.

Effects of a phenol chemical peel are long lasting, and in some cases are still readily apparent up to 20 years following the procedure. Improvements in the patient's skin can be quite dramatic. A single treatment usually achieves the desired result.

Phenol peels are used to correct blotches caused by sun exposure or aging, smooth out coarse deep wrinkles, and remove precancerous growths.

Phenol peels may pose a risk for patients with heart problems, permanently remove facial freckles, cause permanent skin lightening by reducing the ability to produce pigment, take several months to heal, and require increased protection from the sun for life.



Antioxidants Reduce Wrinkles

These include preparations that contain the vitamins A, C, D, and E. Such creams may provide a certain amount of sun protection as well as mild improvement of fine wrinkles. The antioxidants prevent further damage, and may allow existing cell damage to repair itself. Note that TanSome Premium Sunless Tanning Lotion contains antioxidants in the forms of Vitamins A, C, D, and E (Tansome Ingredients).



Vitamins & Supplements Reduce Wrinkles

Medical doctors still have not awakened to the simple fact that vitamins and supplements improve health (it took medical doctors decades to realize a simple multi–vitamin improves your health). Research for yourself the best vitamins and supplements for your body and skin.

The most popular skin vitamins and supplements are Vitamin D3, Vitamins B–1 through B–12, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Gamma, not Alpha), and CoQ–10 (Ubiquinol, not Ubiquinone). There are many other vitamins and supplements on the market, and each has a specific purpose. Do your own research and do not rely on medical doctors for accurate advice on this subject. Although you should see your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement; just remember, if you read 30 minutes about the risks/rewards of ANY vitamin or supplement, you will be more knowledgeable than your doctor!

Dr. Linus Pauling (winner of two Nobel prizes) took 10,000 mg Vitamin C daily, and increased his dosage to 40,000 mg daily at the onset of a cold. Medical researchers are now beginning to agree with his recommendation. All vitamins and supplements have a role in slowing down all aspects of aging, including skin aging.

Tropical Solutions, Inc. supports Life Extension Organization, a professional organization dedicated to the dissemination of the latest medical research, which medical doctors themselves never read!



Idebenone Reduces Wrinkles

This chemical cousin to the nutrient Coenzyme–Q10 (CoQ10) is a super–powerful antioxidant. In one study published recently in the Journal of Dermatology, doctors found that with just six weeks of topical use, there was a 26% reduction in skin roughness and dryness, a 37% increase in hydration, a 29% decrease in lines and wrinkles, and a 33% overall improvement in sun–damaged skin. This is a very, very expensive topical cosmetic.



Pentapeptides Reduce Wrinkles

The results of a study supported by the National Institutes of Health suggest pentapeptides (a group of five amino acids) can increase collagen production in sun–damaged skin. Several subsequent studies showed that when topically applied on a regular basis, pentapeptides stimulated collagen production and slightly diminished lines and wrinkles. This product can be purchased commercially, and is expensive, but affordable if it works for you (does not work for everyone).



Growth Factors Reduce Wrinkles

Part of the body's natural wound–healing response, these compounds, when applied topically on a regular basis, may reduce sun damage and slightly decrease lines and wrinkles, while rejuvenating collagen production. These compounds are by prescription only, and are very expensive.



Premium Moisturizers Reduce Wrinkles

One of the most overlooked solutions to anti–aging is the simple premium moisturizer. Premium moisturizers can temporarily make wrinkles look less prominent (reduce the appearance of fine lines). They must be used every day, with proper Preparation of Skin and Application of Lotion. Ensure your moisturizer is premium and contains all–natural antioxidants, tropical oils and butters, and vitamins to provide the maximum amount of moisturizing and healing possible (Tansome Ingredients).



Topical Treatments won't Work?

If the above treatments will not remove your wrinkles, then visit Cosmetic Procedures for a comprehensive listing of surgical procedures available to you.


Read the options carefully, and discuss them at length with at least two dermatologists to form a well-developed plan.