Toxic metals at dangerous levels found in lipstick and lip gloss---study

Image Source: greenlivingonline.com

“I entered the cosmetics industry because I wanted more women to use cosmetics made with safe, healthful ingredients.”—Gloria Swanson, actress, clothes designer, and founder of Essence of Nature Cosmetics.

If Gloria Swanson were alive today, she would have been one of the active advocates of a healthy lifestyle, especially when it comes to cosmetics use.

Image Source: nytimes.com

Makeup is a crucial touch in projecting an attractive persona, but only when it doesn’t damage the skin or the body. Unfortunately, some researchers at the University of California conducted an analysis of the contents of lipstick and lip gloss. They detected toxic metals like lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum, and five others at levels that could be significantly harmful to users.

The study’s lead author, S. Katharine Hammond, professor of environmental health sciences, says: "Just finding these metals isn't the issue; it's the levels that matter."

"Some of the toxic metals are occurring at levels that could possibly have an effect in the long term," Hammond adds.

Image Source: ktbs.com

The researchers emphasize that although other cosmetic products may also contain metals at dangerous levels, lipsticks and glosses raise the alarm because they are often absorbed into the skin and swallowed. On this note, the study proponents classify those who repeatedly apply lip color and gloss within the day as excessive users who risk an 87-milligram ingestion of these metals daily.

Pausing and thinking before puckering up for rouge or taking care to choose reputable and reliable brands are sensible moves to avoid long-term effects not just on the skin, but more so on the body’s overall condition.

Be wary of what you put on your skin. Read more related stories by following this Lift and Glow Pro Twitter account.

REPOST: How to Perform a Self-Exam For Skin Cancer

Did you know that it takes just five (5) minutes to do a self-check for skin cancer? Read how from this ABC News article:

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Got 5 minutes? That's all it takes to check yourself for skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States.

Though melanoma (the deadliest form of this disease) has been increasing by six percent annually, only 18 percent of women have ever had an annual skin check from a doctor, according to CDC data. Another survey from L'Oréal Paris found that 88 percent of women have never discussed melanoma with their docs and a slim 30 percent do a monthly skin self-exam, as recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

If you're guilty of skimping on monthly self-exams, no worries—they're easy! Here's the best way to do an expert-approved check.

Find a Bright Room

The best place to do your monthly check is in a bright room.

"My favorite location is a store dressing room because the lighting is strong and you can use the three-way mirror to see your back and behind," says Franks. But it's perfectly fine if you want to stick to a full-length mirror at home.

Remember 'ABCDE'

Once you've scoped out a spot, start by carefully examining your body front and back in the mirror, then check each side with your arms raised above you. Use the acronym ABCDE to help you pick out suspicious moles, says Franks.

Look for:

Asymmetry -- mole's halves don't match

Borders are uneven

Color isn't uniform

Diameter is larger than size of a pencil eraser (4 millimeters)

Evolution of the mole-growth, inflammation, itching

Check Unlikely Places

Bend elbows and carefully look at forearms, underarms, and palms. Your palms as well as bottoms of feet and nail beds are the places where you're more likely to get acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) —a type of melanoma that hits women of color more than any other group.

Fingers and Toes

Check the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and the soles of your feet. "Don't forget to examine your fingernails and toenails too," Franks stresses. "New and unusual pigmented bands on the nails could be a sign of cancer."

If you spot a vertical line in any shade of brown extending from cuticle to the tip of your fingernail, make sure to check in with your dermatologist.

Above the Shoulders

Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. "It's ideal if you can get a friend or partner to help you and using a blow dryer will give you a closer look," says Franks. Although less than six percent of melanomas pop up on the scalp, they can be deadlier because they're often found at later stages.

Use a Hand Mirror

Instead of standing in front of a wall mirror, use a hand mirror to take a closer look at your back and butt, says Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist in New York City and author of Skin Rules. See anything funky?

"Don't wait to get a mole checked because you never know what it could be," says Jaliman. "I delayed my appointment for four months and it turned out to be melanoma, scary but curable."

Most derms will be able to get you in ASAP if you spot a suspicious mole or lesion.

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Get to know more about your skin and what you can do to fully protect it from this Lift and Glow Pro blog site.

REPOST: Unhealthy lifestyles 'age a woman's skin by 10 years'

An international study says that having an unhealthy lifestyle can age a woman's skin by more than 10 years.  Read this article from The Telegraph for details:

 

The true damage caused by sun beds, smoking and a lack of fruit and moisturisation in accelerating the ageing process emerged following research by a team of top skincare experts.

The study, which involved 585 women in the UK, China and Spain, showed the factors influencing their skin were the same even taking into account the backgrounds and skin type of the women involved.

It also emerged 'lifestyle choices' often account for as much as 33 per cent of how old a woman looks.

Dr Andrew Mayes, a scientist for Simple skincare which pioneered the research, said: "We already knew genetics accounted for about 50 per cent of how old people look, but we didn't know how much would be accounted for by their lifestyles.

 

Image Source: Telegraph.co.uk

"Even we were surprised by just how much it was; both in terms of the number of years and the percentage."

The study which was carried out over the last eight years involved women aged 45 to 75 in the UK, 30 to 70 in Spain and 25 to 70 in China.

Study sites with controlled laboratory conditions were established in Bedford in the UK, Madrid in Spain and Shanghai in China.

Those who took part were asked a string of questions about their lifestyles including whether or not they like to sun tan and if they were smokers or non-smokers.

Other questions included how often they moisturise, whether they eat fruit and veg, whether they brush their teeth, and have all their own teeth.

The research team also took digital images of the women which were then assessed for how old they looked to identify their perceived age and whether they looked younger or older than their actual age.

The research team, led by Dr Mayes, then compared the perceived ages of those with good versus bad lifestyles.

They concluded the difference was 10.4 years.

Dr Mayes added: "The number of years difference was most staggering – we had just seen some data out of a group of plastic surgeons in the US and Canada suggesting that a face and neck lift (together with eyelid and forehead modifications) could take an average of about 8.5 years off your facial age.

"Then we got our data through demonstrating a saving of over 10 years. It's fair to say at first we couldn't quite believe it.

"But the evidence was there in front of us – women with a healthy lifestyle looked much younger than those with an unhealthy lifestyle.

"Simply put; good skin health is about more than fancy creams and lotions – it's about how we live our lives and how we treat our bodies and the steps we need to take do not need to be extreme.

"They can be small and steady and the effects will be seen over time without the need for plastic surgery."

In direct response, Dr Mayes has helped create Simple Sense, a skincare tool which takes lifestyle as well as skincare products into consideration to provide personalised tips to help women so they don't feel the need to turn to plastic surgery.

A spokeswoman for Simple skincare said: "We've taken this valuable insight and combined it with over 50 years experience caring for sensitive skin to develop this unique online tool called Simple Sense."

The team behind Lift and Glow Pro emphasizes that living a healthy lifestyle contributes to a youthful and healthy glow.  Access this Facebook page for more materials about skin care.

 

REPOST: Saving Face: Six Fashion Week Models Share Their Skin-Care Survival Secrets

This Vogue.com article reveals some of the skin care secrets from six of your favorite super models.

Image Source: vogue.com

They may spend their days playing dress up in the industry’s most beautiful clothes, but models endure wear and tear on their skin during Fashion Week that is anything but glamorous. In the makeup chair, they’re dabbed, dipped, and smeared with product, only to be stripped clean and done all over again at the next show. “You might have makeup put on and taken off seven times a day,” says Karlie Kloss, perched backstage at Carolina Herrera. Like many of her peers, she has developed a survival strategy that revolves largely around cleansing, calming, and hydrating her sensitive skin. Here, six of our favorite backstage faces share their guide to complexion perfection—along with a few of the all-around beauty products they won’t leave home without.

CARA DELEVINGNE:

What’s your skin-care survival strategy?

“I’ve been using a lot of natural products. There’s a really amazing shop called Live Live & Organic on East Tenth Street that sells all-natural products. They have this stuff called Bee Yummy Skin Food cream, which just has honey, bee pollen, water, and St. John’s Wort oil. It’s very natural, which is what I need for my skin.”

What’s in your bag?

Anastasia eyebrow gel and a Tangle Teezer hairbrush

JOURDAN DUNN:

What’s your skin-care survival strategy?

“I like to use Sisley’s Radiant Glow Express Mask. I also like to use their radiance serum, which you can put on top of your makeup or under your makeup and it just instantly gives you a glow.”

What’s in your bag?

Hair brush, Johnson’s facial wipes, and Vaseline to use as lip balm

KARLIE KLOSS:

What’s your skin-care survival strategy?

“I have a Clarisonic brush that I use every night to clear out my pores. And I always have dry skin, so moisturizer is really important. I use a drop of Caudalie oil and mix it with my face cream.”

What’s in your bag?

Smith’s Rosebud salve and a packet of hot chocolate

LIU WEN:

What’s your skin-care survival strategy?

“During Fashion Week, you’re using a lot of makeup and it makes your skin really dry. Normally I do a face mask once a week, but during Fashion Week, if I have time, I do one every day. I have some Korean face masks, and sometimes I make them myself, using egg whites and water.”

What’s in your bag?

Estée Lauder lip balm and hand cream

COCO ROCHA:

What’s your skin-care survival strategy?

“The best thing is just to make sure to take off all that makeup at night, and cleanse, and in the morning do the exact same thing. I always try to let my face breathe as much as I can. If I’m hanging out at home, then there’s no need to put on makeup just for the sake of it.”

What’s in your bag?

Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser Concealer

LINDSEY WIXSON:

What’s your skin-care survival strategy?

“I drink lots of water and use Himalayan bath salts to relax.”

What’s in your bag?

Tropical Traditions coconut oil and Weleda Skin Food moisturizer.

Lift and Glow Pro products help protect the skin from aging. Visit this Facebook page for more information on how to take good care of the skin.

Skin care: Ten commandments to live by

The summer weather can entice anyone to go out of their house and enjoy the outdoors. But with this come the harsh effects of sun exposure. From dry skin to skin discoloration and sunburn, the effects of the sun on the skin can range from mild to alarming conditions --- therefore, extra care should be given to the skin when a person spends time under the sun.

Image Source: edensoapandcandle.wordpress.com

NBC News shares the ten commandments for keeping the skin healthy and looking great this summer:

1. Using skin protection. Basking in the summer sun without sunscreen or protective clothing is like going out in a battlefield without arms.

2. Honoring the changes of the seasons. Knowing what products to apply on the skin in certain seasons is crucial in achieving maximum protection.

Image Source: blog.mariobadescu.com

3. Buffing the skin. Buffing and exfoliating the skin remove dead skin cells and speed skin regeneration.

4. Engaging in morning and evening anti-aging rituals. Regular skin care routine—one in the morning and another one at night—enhances the skin’s natural beauty.

5. Moisturizing. Moisturizing and hydrating the skin are a must, no matter what time of year it is.

 

Image Source: newbeauty.com

6. Getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation has some ill effects on the skin. It releases the stress hormone called cortisol and leaves the skin dry and acne-prone.

7. Not pricking or popping pimples and zits. Popping zits will only spread the bacteria to other areas of the skin, and the skin can develop skin trauma.

8. Loving the whole body. Skin in other parts of the body should also be taken care of. A person should focus not only on the skin on the face, but also on the skin in the lower areas of the body.

Image Source: besskincare.com

9. Exercising. Getting pumped up increases blood circulation and regulates stress hormones, giving the person a beautiful glow.

10. Eating fish, fruits, and vegetables. Eating food rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants keeps the skin smooth and looking young.

Image Source: webmd.boots.com

The summer months require added skin protection. Taking good care of the skin can offer a lifetime of health benefits.

This Lift and Glow Pro Facebook page provides more information on how to protect your skin from harsh elements.

Using the sun to benefit your skin and emotional well-being

Image Source: foxnews.com

Health experts agree that sunshine helps the body produce vitamin D, and plays a role in preventing osteoporosis, depression, and certain cancers. A study even states that regular exposure to sunlight can make the skin develop self-protective mechanisms against the sun’s harmful effects. However, too much sun exposure can be extremely harmful not just physically, but also emotionally. Multiple studies have already showed that sunlight exposure can affect a person’s emotional well-being by either uplifting the person’s mood or causing him to be depressed.

Fortunately, this doesn't mean that people have to totally give up outdoor fun altogether. Protection from harmful rays is the key to a healthy skin and good mood. Below are some tips on how to use the sun’s rays to benefit the skin and uplift the mood:

• Being outside, but not directly under the sun, for 30 minutes will benefit the mood

• Protecting the skin using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher

• Wearing a hat or protective clothing while outdoors

Image Source: telegraph.co.uk

• Seeing the dermatologist annually

• Moisturizing before, during, and after sun exposure

• Eating fresh fruits

• Drinking water and juices

There is nothing more uplifting than feeling the warmth of the sunshine every now and then. But too much exposure to the sun can be harmful to the skin and to one’s emotional health. Like other great things in life, basking under the sun should be taken in moderation.

Image Source: flickr.com/caitlynrp

Lift Serum Pro protects the skin from aging. Visit this Facebook page for more information on how to take good care of the skin.

REPOST: Eva Longoria: “Your Skin Needs Protecting”

What are the risks of unprotected sun exposure? Eva Longoria shares in this Women's Health article the importance of protecting the skin from the sun's harmful rays.

Image Source: blog.womenshealthmag.com

Growing up in Texas, actress Eva Longoria didn’t give sun safety much thought. “Being Latina, you think, ‘Oh, I have dark skin so I won’t get sunburned,’” she says. But now, the star and L’Oreal ambassador wants to make sure everyone is giving enough thought to how their lifestyle choices may put them at risk.

“Melanoma is deadly,” she says. “It doesn’t really discriminate against skin color. You can really get sun damage whether or not you have dark skin or light skin.”

To protect her skin, Longoria wears sunblock and tinted moisturizer daily. If she’s out in the sun, she always wears a hat. “The sun never touches my face,” she says.

Longoria, a L’Oreal ambassador, is promoting melanoma awareness in conjunction with a new L’Oreal campaign that donates $1 to the Melanoma Research Alliance for every bottle of its Sublime Sun products sold this year. The company is also donating $1 to the MRA for every Tweet that includes the hashtag #SublimeSun.

“By being involved in this, I hope people will take away a new awareness of the gravity and the risk involved in being in the sun and then also look at a product and say, ‘I need one with skin protection,’” she says. “That’s what the Sublime line is—it’s all the products you would already use, but it has sun protection.”

Lift and Glow Pro is a fast-acting skin rejuvenation serum that can help bring back people’s suppressed radiance. Visit this Facebook page to learn more about the product. 

REPOST: 5 Skin Care Tips For Post 50 Women

This Hufftington Post article shares Dara Kennedy's skin care tips for women beyond 50 years old.

Dara Kennedy, the founder of Ayla, has 5 skin care tips for post 50 women:

1) Many personal care products contain fragrance, sulfates, propylene glycol and triclosan. While the safety of these ingredients has been called into question, they also happen to frequently irritate dry, sensitive skin. Menopausal and pre-menopausal women typically find their skin is much more reactive than it used to be, so avoiding these types of ingredients can help significantly.

2) Ingredients like parabens and phthalates are endocrine disruptors, which this age group probably wants to avoid given the hormonal upheaval they're already experiencing. It's particularly important where body moisturizers are concerned. Here are two simple products -- good for post 50 women -- that can be found pretty easily at health food stores, some drugstores and online shops: Alba Botanica and Barlean's Coconut Oil.

3) Because their cycles are less regular and reliable, pre-menopausal and menopausal women can find that acne (caused by irregularity of their hormone levels) appears seemingly out of nowhere. Many products on the market are designed for younger skin, and the formulas can be very harsh and drying. It's important to find an effective but non-drying, non-irritating acne treatment to avoid causing further dryness and sensitivity.

4) Women often experience flushing during menopause, which can lead to redness and broken capillaries. It can be difficult to find products that address these issues while at the same time taking care of aging skin. Women facing these issues should choose their treatments carefully so they're not layering too many products on their face at once (which, ultimately, could cause more irritation). Since we get a lot of customers who struggle with this, we've found two products that work particularly well: Red Alert Anti-Redness Serum and 37 Extreme Actives.

5) Wrinkles and a loss of firmness are also often experienced by menopausal and pre-menopausal women; these tend to be the result of their shifting levels of estrogen and progesterone. Retinol is often used to address these two skin concerns, but if skin is sensitive and dry, that may not be the best solution. A good alternative would be an oil-based serum that's naturally rich in vitamin A (look for rose hip oil on the ingredient list) and/or a gentle anti-aging serum that features botanical peptides.

Get your weekly dose of beauty and skin care tips from this Lift and Glow Pro Facebook page.

A social experiment points out how women see themselves

“Many women see their bodies as a compilation of unacceptable features – thighs that are too big, arms that jiggle, cheekbones that aren’t high enough, lips that are too thin,” says Renee Engeln, a senior psychology lecturer and founder of the Body and Media lab at Northwestern University.

To help address this concern and with the hope of encouraging women to develop a positive self-esteem, Dove conducted a social experiment that proves one essential point: “You are more beautiful than you think.”
 



Video Source: youtube.com

Involved in the experiment were seven women, some strangers, and Gil Zamora, an FBI-trained forensic artist. With a curtain separating Zamora and the women, the latter described their facial pictures and the former would then sketch the face of the women based on their descriptions. Meanwhile, stranger-participants were tasked to spend time with the same women and study their facial features. Later on, the stranger would describe the woman they met, and Zamora would do another sketch.

Image Source: news2.onlinenigeria.com

It was evident that while the drawings based on the women’s self-image showed distorted representations of themselves, the sketches based on the strangers’ descriptions demonstrated more matter-of-fact and flattering details.

Image Source: news2.onlinenigeria.com

The women who participated in the experiment were overwhelmed with the differences in their own descriptions of themselves and the descriptions by others. After seeing the sketches, Kela, 40, said with teary eyes, “I need to work on feeling better about myself so that people will treat me in a way that I deserve to be treated.”

Image Source: dove.ca

Having a healthy self-image is not something that’s beyond reach. Women should develop a positive mental outlook and realize that indeed, they are more beautiful than they think.

For more articles and links on how to enhance self-image, visit this Lift and Glow Pro Facebook page.

Skin care: Professional vs. DIY treatments

Image Source: blisstree.com

Natural skin care products have made a huge impact on the skin care industry as more and more consumers believe that Mother Nature holds the secrets to younger looking skin. Because of this, many cosmetics companies base their products on the finest ingredients that nature can offer. Vancouver, Canada-based skin care specialist Dr. Shehla Ebrahim notes that there’s a surge in home-based devices and do-it-yourself (DIY) skin care products use. The question is: Are DIY products as safe and effective as professional skin care products?

Dr. Ebrahim explains: "While some DIY devices are safe for home use, they are not as efficient or effective. DIY devices operate on limited energy output and have a restricted depth of penetration due to FDA and Canadian health requirements. In addition to being expensive and requiring multiple treatments, these devices can also cause serious damage in the hands of inexperienced users."

Image Source: styleblazer.com

Additionally, the skin care specialist notes that over-the-counter DIY facial products may be packaged to look good and smell good, but they don’t work as effectively as those provided by qualified practitioners. The reason being is that these professional treatment products have active ingredients that act at a cellular level, making a more pronounced effect on the skin, as compared to over-the-counter products which usually contain weaker versions of the ingredients found in professional treatment products.

While natural and DIY anti-aging skin care treatments are accessible, easy to use, and best of all, inexpensive, there’s nothing more important than consulting a professional skin care expert before doing any treatment of any form.

Image Source: straussmarketing-pr.com

Lift and Glow Pro is an anti-aging serum that reduces facial wrinkles. This Facebook page provides more information on the product, as well as tips on skin care. 

Exercising: A way to healthy skin

Health and fitness buffs have the edge of possessing not only a sculptured bod but also glowing skin. It does not entirely matter what exercise they’re into. Whether it’s yoga, jogging, or adventure races, exercise does not necessarily mean driving oneself to exhaustion, bulking up muscles, or losing weight altogether. It only means keeping fit and letting the skin reap the benefits.

Image Source: she.sulekha.com

There are many more benefits to exercise than just sweating away clogged pores and reducing oily skin. Some of them are as follows:

• Collagen production. Collagen, which is associated with delaying skin aging, supports the fibers in the skin, making it firm. With regular exercise, collagen production increases. Even manufacturers of beauty products, like Lift and Glow Pro, Ambi Skincare, and Neutrogena would agree that investing large amounts of money in anti-aging products only produces nominal results if not accompanied by regular exercise.

Image Source: seabuckthorninsider.com

• Reduction of sebum. Exercise allows the skin to remove not only excess oil but also the reason behind that excessive oil production—stress.

• Fighting acne and other skin impurities. A good sweat pushes out all those clogging elements and prevents looming acne breakouts.

• Improvement of skin tone. Rosy cheeks and healthy glowing skin result from all the sweating, increased blood circulation, and cleansing that exercise provides.

Image Source: runsongreen.com

Making exercise a habit may be the final trick to helping control oily skin, uneven skin tone, and breakouts, independent of feeling better, having more energy, and looking great overall.

Keep yourself looking great by following some skin care tips from this Twitter page.

REPOST: What your face reveals about your health

Does your face reveal your true age, or do you actually look older than you really are? This FoxNews.com article shares some insights about how your face and skin can reveal so much about you.

Image Source: BeautyStat.com

There’s more to the old adage about the truth being written all over your face than you may think. Not only do we get nonverbal signals about someone’s true well-being from unconscious facial expressions, but the state of your skin reveals a great deal about what’s going on inside, both physically and emotionally.

In fact, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have used facial analysis as a diagnostic tool for centuries, marrying specific facial areas and features with organs and emotional states. So when you get a recurring zit on the same part of your chin or have a perpetually congested or flaky forehead, your skin could be trying to tell you that there’s a deeper health concern in need of attention.

Facial diagnosis is not an absolute science, but it could certainly point you in the direction of a healthier lifestyle. Here's what to look out for: 

Image Source: HealthMeUp.com

Mid-Cheeks


Your cheeks are linked to your respiratory system, so a slight rash could be an indication that your body is starved of oxygen and you need to work on deepening your breath. 

Hannah Yang, resident naturopath at the unique ESPA Life (ESPALifeAtCorinthia.com) spa in London said, “Anything that allows you to open and utilise the lungs would be helpful. Try breathwork, mediation or increase your exercise.” Smokers, therefore, will inevitably have/get broken capillaries, discoloration, fine lines or congestion in this area, as will those who suffer from colds, asthma or the flu.

The area is also a stomping ground for rosacea, so be sure to seek topical treatment if you have persistent redness that flares up easily. It’s quite possible that too many stimulants like coffee and alcohol could be causing all that flushing.

Image Source: RealBeauty.com

Mouth

The mouth, rather fittingly, correlates to the stomach. Where the actual lips relate to the stomach and intestine, the surrounding area at the sides that run down toward the jowls are linked to the colon. Any spots or discoloration dotted around your lips could, therefore, be a sign of poor bowel movements, bloating or a poor appetite. Find a local nutritionist and explore any food intolerances or allergies that may have gone unchecked over the years.

Bloody gums indicate an acidic stomach, while dry and flaky lips are a fairly obvious sign of dehydration. Cracks or sores, alternatively, suggest a spleen in need of care. Stock up on vitamin B and iron if that’s the case.

This Lift and Glow Pro Facebook page offers tips on how to look and feel younger.

Retinoids: From Acne to Wrinkle Treatment

Discover how retinoids treat not only acne but also wrinklesfrom this EverydayHealth.com article written by Diana Rodriguez.

The body needs vitamin A to develop strong teeth and tissues, healthy vision, and healthy skin. Retinol is a type of vitamin A that can be found in food sources like whole-milk dairy products, liver, meats, and eggs.

Vitamin A is also available in topical forms, known as a retinoids, that are used as medications to treat skin conditions. Retinoids were initially marketed and approved to combat very severe acne. But researchers soon discovered another valuable property of retinoids: They could reduce the signs of photoaging (aging of the skin from sun exposure) and were soon used as a wrinkle treatment.

Retinoids for Skin Solutions

There are two major types of natural retinoids used medically.

Isotretinoin (formerly marketed under the brand name Accutane) is an oral medication that may be prescribed for people who cannot control severe acne through topical treatments or with antibiotic medications. Though it's been found to be extremely effective in managing acne, it has serious side effects, including birth defects if taken by pregnant women. Generic isotretinoin may cause depression and, rarely, thoughts of suicide. And while new information is emerging that it could contribute to or worsen irritable bowel disease, a study found that isotretinoin use did not affect the incidence of IBD.

Tretinoin (Retin-A, Avita, Renova) is a topical vitamin A prescription acne treatment. It's also used to help reverse damage to the skin from sun exposure. Tretinoin works as an irritant, which results in more rapid turnover of skin cells, causing old cells to die more quickly. Tretinoin helps acne disappear as it sheds old skin cells. While it also minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots on the skin, exactly how it works against wrinkles and sun damage isn't completely understood. There are also synthetic forms of topical retinoids available by prescription for acne treatment: adapalene (Differin) and tazorotene (Tazorac).

Prescription Versus Over-the-Counter Retinoids

Studies have examined the effectiveness of various types of prescription retinoids on both acne and as a wrinkle treatment. Researchers have concluded that topical retinoids are an effective acne treatment and are also effective in preventing acne breakouts. Research has also found impressive results when it comes to reducing — and in some cases reversing — sun damage.

Cosmeceuticals (cosmetics that also claim to treat a skin condition, such as wrinkle creams) that contain weaker forms of retinoids are widely available, but relatively little research has been done to determine their effectiveness. Of the studies that have been conducted, cosmeceticals with the form of vitamin A called retinaldehyde are the most successful in reducing the signs of aging.

The Cost of Care

Isotretinoin and tretinoin are only available through a prescription and should be used under a doctor's supervision. Costs vary according to your pharmacy and health insurance. In some cases, the medication may be covered partially or fully by your health insurance plan, particularly if the treatment is for acne. The use of a retinoid topical cream for cosmetic reasons is less likely to be covered by insurance. A year's supply of treatment with Retin-A can cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $200.

The less potent, non-prescription retinoids, such as retinol and retinaldehyde, can be purchased over-the-counter as ingredients in skin care products marketed to erase wrinkles, sun damage, and other signs of aging. There are many brands available, including RoC and Olay, among others. Retinol- and retinaldehyde-based products are available at drugstores and beauty counters. Products range in price from about $10 to $20 or more.

The uses of vitamin A have evolved over the years, from the body's natural needs to man-made treatments that get rid of pimples and minimize wrinkles and dark spots on the skin. Whether you seek acne or wrinkle treatment, buy it over-the-counter or with a doctor's prescription, be aware of possible side effects, and make sure to follow all instructions carefully.

Source:http://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty/skin-care-101/retinoids.aspx