"Skin Cancer: 10 Tips to Best Avoid It" - October 1, 2012

The most indispensable component of a daily skin care regimen (aside from sunscreen) is a retinoid. Retinoids are Vitamin A derivatives that offer benefits that can’t be missed. When the dermatologists who invented retinoids at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1970s as acne medications studied their effects on adult women with acne they serendipitously discovered the cosmetic benefits. After six months of use the women evaluated had less brown spots, fine lines, and more brilliant skin. When they studied the skin under the microscope, they found that sun damage was actually reversed. Later investigations revealed that retinoids also stimulate new collagen formation.

For this reason I use a topical retinoid every other night (Renova, a branded tretinoin) on my face to help reverse the years of sun exposure from sports and outdoor activities growing up in Miami. If prescription strength tretinoin is too harsh for your skin, consider a gentler over-the-counter product with retinol. I love Dr. Brandt’s Glow Overnight Resurfacing Serum, and apply it on nights when I don’t use my Renova. Please visit the office for my specific instructions on how to apply topical retinoids to prevent irritation and optimize their effects.