Vitamin A is fat soluble which means it can be stored in the body for a longer period, compared to water-soluble vitamins like vitamin B because it is kept in the body’s fat and liver. Its antioxidant properties reduce inflammation, aids neurological functions and promote healthy skin. It is found in two forms; active vitamin A is known as retinol. Retinol is found in animal-derived foods. The other form is known as beta-carotene, obtained by fruits and vegetables and converted to retinol to be utilized by the body.

Retinol is favoured by us at Bodyvie, most all of us use it and we encourage our clients to reap the benefits too. Retinol is prescribed to fight acne, diminish wrinkles and improve some pigmentation. Topical retinoids work by promoting skin cell turnover to encourage new cell growth, to hinder the breakdown of collagen and thicken the internal layers of skin where wrinkles begin to form.

Long story short, abnormal cells of skin shed, and our friend vitamin A begins to promote elastin and collagen production from the deep layer of skin to smooth and even skin!

It takes about 2-3 weeks for skin cells to adapt to retinoic acid to build tolerance.

When you first begin using retinol products, you may experience a little peeling and redness, which often puts people off maintaining this routine. However, these symptoms are the process we are looking for, the shedding of the old skin cells to reveal the new skin, essentially.

We often start our clients on a lower dose of retinol to adapt gradually, starting with using the product 2-3 times a week, building up to every day. Results are gradual, By taking home some retinol products like Dr Weber’s ACE or ACE+, or using the Obagi program which can be prescribed to you by one of our doctors, you can improve your skin’s quality gradually at home and improve the signs of ageing.

By Emma Sargeant

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