Renaissance Plastic Surgery

First of all, what is a retinoid or a retinol?  It's not a robot or a wallpaper remover, they are forms of Vitamin A that you apply to your skin.

Now why would you apply that to your skin - why will it help?  In this day and age of medical spas and treatments that are here today and gone tomorrow, we need something that is proven and that is in it for the long haul.  The Specialty Skin Care newsletter-Spring 2008, published by the Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists, states the main reasons for using these products are it will help with severe acne (in adults or teens), hyperpigmentation (or dark areas) and aging.

Tretinoin is the most common known retinoid.  This is a prescriptive product, so you must be under a physicians care when using this product.  Many times tretinoin will be combined in a at home skin care regimen.  This product will give you more results than a retinol because it is stronger and more aggressive.

There are many retinol products on the market that can be purchased from your local drug store.  These products can give you results, but may take longer than a retinoid product and they are best used for minor conditions of acne, hyperpigmentation or aging.

Both products will treat your skin, you have to decide how severe your skin condition is and the time frame you want to achieve results and you will find a great treatment in a retinoid or retinol.