Page 23 - Florida Sentinel 11-8-19

Health
•For Wrinkles: Retinol, Vitamin C
If you have fine lines, retinoids (which come from vitamin A) like retinol may make your skin smoother. They help your skin make more collagen. It’s easier on your skin than the pre-
scription-strength version, tretinoin (Retin-A), which may dry your skin. Products with vitamin C may also help take away fine lines. Vitamin C also helps lessen the damage the sun does to your skin. That may help keep wrinkles away.
• For Age Spots: Hydroquinone, Retinoids, Vitamin C, Kojic Acid
Dark spots may fade with hydro- quinone, an over- the-counter drug that can bleach your skin. Retinoids may make your skin tone more even. One
study says vitamin C may also help to fade age spots when you use it for 12 weeks. Kojic acid may do it, too.
When you use any of these products, wear sunscreen. Your dark spots may come back if your skin is exposed to sunlight.
•For Sagging Skin: Ceramides, Peptides
Treatments with topical growth factors or peptides may help firm sagging skin -- they could help your skin make more collagen. More re- search is needed.
Daily moisturizer with ce- ramides may work better, and it’s cheaper.
•For Uneven Skin Tone: AHAs, Retinoids
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) remove dead skin cells. This could help to reveal new skin with a more even tone. Retinoids may have the same effect. These products may also bring redness or dryness, so be careful if you have dry or sensitive skin.
•For Dull Skin: AHAs, Retinoids
If you smoke, you’re more likely to have dull skin. That’s one good reason to quit the habit. Dull skin may also be a sign of dryness. A moisturizer may make your skin look fuller and firmer. Retinoids (like retinol) and alpha hydroxy acids could brighten your skin when they remove dead skin cells.
There’s No Magic Wand, But ...
A number of ingredients in over-the-counter treat- ments may help your skin ap- pear more youthful, but it’ll take time.
You may see improve- ment within a few months, but don’t expect to look like you’ve stepped out of a time
machine.
“Any topical product that is anti-aging may help im-
prove fine lines ... but not deeper wrinkles,” says Adriana N. Schmidt, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.
Some ingredients work better for different things.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-B