Retinoids local, systemic, topical, external for the face for acne, wrinkles, acne, psoriasis. Tablets, creams, ointments, lotions

Retinoids are chemical compounds of natural or artificial origin in their properties (action) similar to vitamin A.

What are retinoids?

Retinoids can be classified as a subtype of vitamin A. These are substances of natural or synthetic origin that have antioxidant and natural vitamin properties.

Scientists started talking about the beneficial properties of retinoids in the 60s of the last century. In the course of the study, it was proved that one of the factors in the appearance of acne, acne, and early skin aging on the face is a lack of vitamin A and its derivatives. Since that time, in cosmetology, preparations and skin products with retinoids have been developed.

The importance of vitamin A for the body

Vitamin A is one of the essential substances for the healthy functioning of the body. Its deficiency leads to serious pathologies and the risk of death.

The effect of vitamin A on individual body systems:

1. Leather. The substance protects, rejuvenates and stimulates the cells of the epidermis.
2. Immunity. Retinol is a powerful antioxidant. It quickly binds free radicals and protects the body. Vitamin A stimulates leukocytes to absorb and destroy microbes and dead cells. The substance is involved in the organization of the protective function of the mucous membranes.
3. Vision. Vitamin A is used to treat night blindness. This is what the people call the lack of the ability to see objects in poor lighting. With a lack of retinol in the eyeballs, the synthesis of a photosensitive substance stops. In old age, the vitamin prevents blindness and cataracts.

The action of retinol on the skin

Retinol differs from natural vitamin A in its structure, but their effects on the skin are similar:

1. Slowing down the proliferation of epithelial cells in the sebaceous glands. Stimulation of normal secretion outflow.
2. Prevention of photoaging.

   

3. Strengthening the matrix of cells. This can be achieved by stimulating new collagen compounds and inhibiting the destruction of old ones.
4. Peeling effect. Retinoids stimulate the renewal of the cellular composition of the skin. Cells grow and develop faster and age and break down more slowly. Vitamin analogs penetrate the cell and participate in the biological synthesis of DNA and RNA.
5. Antioxidant effect. This effect is achieved by strengthening the cell walls.

Types of retinoids

There are several types of vitamin A analogs:

1. First generation. Substances are used in medicines and cosmetics. The line is represented by various retinol esters (tretinoin, alitretinoin). Used to treat acne and to combat the signs of skin aging.
2. Second generation. These include etretinate and acitretin. The compounds are used as active substances in drugs for the treatment of psoriasis, atopic and contact dermatitis.
3. Third generation. Substances are classified as arotenoids. They do not have a similar origin and structure to a natural vitamin. They are obtained from naphthoic or other types of acids. They have the properties of natural retinoids. They are used in medicines for treating benign tumors and cancer.
4. Fourth generation. The youngest substances. Are of artificial origin.

Indications for use

Vitamin A and its analogs retinoids are used to treat and improve skin condition in the following cases:

• any type of acne;
• fistulas of the fat ducts of the sebaceous glands;
• age-related skin changes;
• vulgar acne;
• pink acne;
• burns and pigmentation caused by excessive exposure to the sun;
• violation of keratisation;
• psoriasis;
• the appearance of various warts, etc.

Retinoids act on the skin in the same way as hormonal agents. But, unlike the latter, they do not cause addiction and dangerous side effects.

Contraindications

There are strict contraindications to the use of retinoids in the form of vitamins or superficially:

1. Pregnancy. Retinoids should be discontinued a month before the planned conception.
2. Allergy to vitamin A, red vegetables and fruits.
3. Breastfeeding (natural and synthesized analogs of vitamin A enter the baby's body through milk and can cause hypervitaminosis).
4. Hypervitaminosis.
5. Age under 12.

You can use retinoids only after consulting a doctor:

• with high triglyceride levels;
• with chronic alcoholism;
• with chronic diseases of the kidneys and liver;
• with high blood sugar;
• with pancreatitis.

How to use retinoid acne medications?

Acne retinoids can be used as a primary or complementary treatment. They are used externally and for internal therapy.

The effects that can be achieved when using retinoids for acne:

• healing of tissues at the cellular level is stimulated, at the site of acne, even large ones, no scars and keratinized tissues appear;
• wounds and foci of inflammation heal much faster, this allows the rash to spread to healthy areas;
• the amount of sebum and sebum is reduced;
• the ducts of the sebaceous glands expand, the viscosity of the secretion decreases;
• the stratum corneum peels off.

For mild to moderate acne, it is sufficient to use retinoids externally, in the form of lotions, ointments, gels or vitamin creams. For severe skin lesions, the appearance of deep acne, fistula, acne vulgaris, it is necessary to use dosage forms of retinoids - tablets and capsules.

Retinoids for wrinkles

Anti-wrinkle retinoids are only used topically. The supplement can be a natural form of retinol in the vitamin complex.

Cosmetologists recommend using creams and masks with retinoids even before the appearance of large age wrinkles.

Regular intake of the substance into the epidermis contributes to the appearance of healthier, larger cells that are less prone to destruction. Antioxidant properties protect aging skin, which is more susceptible to negative environmental influences, especially in urban air conditions.

Anti-wrinkle retinoids act on the skin as follows:

• stimulate the division of stronger cells;
• improve their "communication" among themselves;
• the level of the stratum corneum decreases;
• the structure of the deep layers of the skin is strengthened (this avoids deep wrinkles and changes in the shape of the face);
• the cellular composition of the skin is renewed more often.

After the therapy, the skin looks healthier, firmer and smoother. Any damage, including sunburn, heals faster, without scars and pigmentation.

Retinoids for psoriasis

In psoriasis, the normal cell renewal of the epidermis is disrupted. A large number of "extra" cells form scaly areas with redness and itching. It is completely impossible to cure psoriasis, but modern treatments can achieve long-term remissions.

Creams based on retinol analogs help to cope not with itching and redness (as hormonal gels and ointments do), but stop the very cause - excessive cell growth. Retinoids slow down their division, cleanse the skin of scales. Patients who have chosen this method of treatment need to be careful.

The application of a large amount of gel (cream) or its prolonged use leads to dryness, it can provoke itching and new inflammation.

Immediately after the disappearance of the plaque, treatment is suspended until exacerbation.

Retinoids for warts

Vitamin A analog tablets and creams are used in the treatment of various types of warts in cases. When surgical removal is contraindicated and other treatments fail. Synthetic retinoids have an effect that stops the overgrowth of epithelial cells and tissues.

Some time after starting to use the drug, the wart stops growing, and then decreases. Creams with retinoids are especially useful in the fight against benign tumors on the face and legs - flat wart. Many cosmetologists and dermatologists use products to combat papillomas.

The best remedy for combating warts is Tazorak cream. It is applied to dry, well-hydrated skin. After 15 minutes, the remains of the gel must be washed off or wiped off with lotion.

However, the use of other drugs is not recommended. Especially based on alcohol or organic acids.

Retinoids against aging

Using retinoids to combat aging is a great solution for aging skin. Cosmetologists recommend using creams and other care cosmetics with a small amount of these substances. It is best that it be natural vitamin A or a chemical compound that is as close as possible in composition and action to it.

To combat age-related skin changes, it is necessary to choose cosmetics marked “for sensitive skin”.

By increasing keratotisation, they strengthen the tissue framework, the face and neck look smooth, toned and fresh. At the same time, do not overdo it and use products with high levels of synthetic retinoids. They inhibit the growth of skin epithelial cells.

Tablet preparations: names, descriptions and prices

Lotions for moisturizing the skin problem with vitamin A: names, characteristics, prices

The most popular retinoid creams and ointments

On the basis of retinoids, many local preparations are made, which are used in the treatment of children and adults.

Retasol

The basis of the drug is isotretinoin, one of the active substances of vitamin A. It is synthesized by the body independently, but the lack of a substance leads to skin diseases.

The drug is recommended for the treatment of acne, seborrhea, acne vulgaris, which are not amenable to other methods of therapy. A distinctive feature of the drug is that it can be used even with very oily skin.

Cannot be used by pregnant and lactating women.

Differin

A drug to eliminate acne, which is produced by a French company in 2 forms: gel and cream. The active substance is adapalene. It is a synthetic analogue of retinoic acid.

The action of the drug is aimed at preventing acne, dryness and flaking, stopping the processes of keratinization of skin cells. Differin directly affects the epithelium of the hair follicles of the face.

You can use the cream and gel from the age of 12. The drug will help to cope with the problem of acne on the face during adolescence, it also goes well with other cosmetics.

Cannot be used for allergic and atopic dermatitis, eczema.

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Tazarotene

The drug, produced in the form of a gel and cream, has an active substance of the same name - tazarotene, a synthetic analogue of vitamin A. It is most often used in chronic inflammatory skin diseases with frequent remissions. Less commonly - to eliminate acne and signs of aging.

The effectiveness of Tazarotene has been compared to hormonal drugs for the skin, but, unlike them, it is safer and not addictive.

While acting on acne, Tazaroten soothes the skin, stimulates the basic functions of cells. The ointment quickly stops inflammation: relieves redness and swelling. With prolonged use, the substance restores the normal functioning of the glands for the production of fat.

The product can only be used in combination with moisturizers or gels. Treatment should be started with daily application (2-3 weeks). Allowed from 12 years old.

Cannot be used by pregnant women and people with high sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.

Retin-A

Effective imported drug. The active substance is tretinoin. one of the forms of vitamin A that exists as a carboxylic acid. Retin-A's main task is to accelerate cell renewal. It is used not only to fight acne, but also to improve skin smoothness and reduce wrinkles.

The product can only be applied to dry skin. It should be free of cracks, cuts and irritation. There is a negative effect of Retin-A on dry and scaly areas of the face.

The skin care product increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. During acne treatment, it is necessary to use sunscreen, wear glasses with UV protection and refuse natural tanning and tanning.

Tazoraс

Tazoraс gel contains an active ingredient - tazarotene. It is a member of the acetylene class of retinoids. It is indicated for the treatment of moderate to mild acne vulgaris.

Unlike other drugs with retinoids, it does not cause hypersensitivity to the sun's rays, it can be used in the summer without restriction of being outdoors.

Retinoic ointment

The basis of the remedy is isotretinoin, a natural analogue of vitamin A, which is synthesized by the human body. In most cases, the body does not have enough of its "reserve" and it is necessary to resort to pharmacy substitutes.

Also includes:

• dibunol - a powerful antioxidant used for severe skin damage;
• butyloxyanisole - a drug to slow down oxidative reactions in the dermis;
• petroleum jelly - an agent for additional moisturizing, softening and protecting the skin.

The action that retinoic ointment has:

1. Cleans the skin of dead tissue and cells. The dead material does not clog sebaceous ducts and pores, which prevents new acne from forming.
2. Slows down the secretion of the sebaceous glands.
3. Removes inflammation and tissue swelling in the area of ​​rashes.
4. It has a regenerating effect. Helps tissues to fully recover without scarring and scarring.

Before applying, the skin must be cleaned, but without the use of peeling or scrub. The effect of the ointment on damaged skin leads to irritation and allergic rash. When treating acne, it is recommended to apply the product exclusively to problem areas. The remains of the product are washed off after half an hour. Do not sunbathe during treatment with retinoic ointment.

The ointment can not be combined with some antibiotics, used for infectious and allergic skin diseases.

Side effects of systemic retinoid acne treatment

The most severe side effects are observed during pregnancy. The embryo develops serious malformations incompatible with life, external deformities and dysfunction of internal organs. Therefore, the use of substances in any form for pregnant women and those planning to conceive is strictly prohibited.

Side effects that occur during treatment with retinoids at any dosage and method of use:

• a decrease in the number of leukocytes;
• the risk of developing cholesterol plaques;
• decrease in the level of erythrocytes, impaired absorption of iron;
• hanging the level of liver enzymes;
• the appearance of headaches, pain in muscles, joints, during physical exertion;
• high sensitivity to the rays of the sun.

Retinoids in overdose cause:

• thinning and dry skin;
• inflammation of the lips and mucous membranes;
• scaly areas on the palms and feet;
• skin pigmentation;
• pain in the eyes with contact lenses;
• bleeding on the mucous membranes;
• deterioration of hair condition.

During treatment with retinoids, special care is required for the skin. Decorative cosmetics should be limited, and care cosmetics should be used only with the mark “for sensitive skin”. Soaps, gels and alcohol products should be excluded. Sunscreens must be used in any weather, wearing glasses with maximum UV protection.

When used correctly, retinoids can help treat even severe acne and other skin conditions.

Article design: Oksana Grivina

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