Retinol: The number one product that conquers aging.

So what is RETINOL?

According to WebMd, Retinol, (pronounced ret'i-nol) is:

A half-carotene; an intermediate in the vision cycle, it also plays a role in growth and differentiation. Syn: vitamin A1 alcohol, vitamin A1.

Vitamin A is a vitamin required by the retina of the eye in the form of the light-absorbing molecule retinal. This molecule is crucial for both scotopic and color vision. However, Vitamin A(Retinol) also serves a completely different function as the oxidized form Retinoic Acid, an important hormone-like growth factor for epithelial (skin) and other cells.†

According to New Beauty Magazine, Retinol is the secret to perfect skin. Vitamin A helps skin produce collagen, a natural component of the skin that gives the dermis a youthful, full appearance. Retinol reduces the look wrinkles by renewing skin cells in the dermis and epidermis and increasing the skin's elasticity. Physicians and aestheticians agree that this miracle ingredient has to power to make skin look younger, smoother and simply better.

Retinol is also often used to fight acne and reduce the signs of sun damage by speeding up the turnover of skin cells. Don't confuse medical-grade retinol with the over-the-counter products found in drugstores. Retinols founds in a physician's office offer an excellent opportunity to improve your skin without the dryness and irritation that occurs with retin-A. Retinols are available in several formulations and also are often blended with other beneficial skincare ingredients to increase the results obtained from these products. Depending on the formulation of the products and the strength used, these products are safe and effective for most skin types including sensitive skin.

Our Dr. Tanne Skincare line offers several Retinol products to our patients.

Retinol Serum is available in 4 strengths which can treat sensitive, normal and tolerant skin. Ingredients include:
Retinol- which is pure and active vitamin A - it works to increase cell turnover and exfoliation by stimulating cell production underneath the skin. Skin appears softer and smoother, and will help even out skin tone.
Green tea- which have potent anti-oxidant properties as well as anti-inflammatory and calming effect on the skin, and helps prevent skin irritation.
Caffeine- which enhances the antioxidant properties of the skin and acts as a topical vasoconstrictor.
Hyaluronic Acid- which aids in skin hydration

Clear It Up Retinol Toner Pads- An excellent product for oilier and acne prone skin that is in need of smoothing, clearing, and renewing. Clear It Up is also available in four strengths allowing treatment to be formulated for each patients needs. The pads not only resurface the skin, but also fortify and protect it with antioxidants. This product contains the same retinol as in our serum along with green tea, and caffeine, but does not contain the hydrating hyaluronic acid. This product is used nightly or every other night on clean skin as directed by our skincare professionals.

RejuvaEye Retinol Eye Gel - This is the first product that Dr. Tanne has personally used in the eye area that has the excellent benefits of retinol without the dryness and irritation that this delicate skin is prone to with other products. This unique moisturizing retinol product in an emollient gel, which allows for a sustained release of retinol, thereby reducing skin irritation.

We recommend the use of retinol nightly or every other night, depending on your skin and the condition being treated. As always, we are happy to formulate a skincare regimen for you and your specific skincare needs.

For further inquiries, please contact Ginnie, our Skincare Specialist, at 973-716-9000 or visit Cosmetic Laser MD on the web to book a consultation.





†http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_A

Questions about how to properly care for your dark skin?

Problems with Acne? Dark spots? Acne scarring? Check out the five key factors that people with skin of color should know before they begin any type of acne treatment regime.

Photodynamic Therapy - PDT - for Acne and Sun Damage

What is Photodynamic Therapy?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using Levulan® is a very safe and effective treatment for moderate to severe acne, aging, and severe sun damage.
At Cosmetic Laser MD, Susan Stevens Tanne, M.D. offers Photodynamic therapy with Levulan® and the BLU–U® light or FotoFacial RF (IPL) from Syneron to help reverse sun damage and treat acne. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a special treatment that uses a photosensitizing agent that is applied to skin and then activated with a light source. The beauty of utilizing PDT is its ability to rejuvenate skin — in addition to successfully improving such skin conditions as acne and severe sun damage — all in one procedure.
How does Photodynamic Therapy Work?
The Levulan® is absorbed by actively proliferating cells such as bacteria, oil glands and sun damaged cells. The light source used may be a visible blue light, intense pulsed light or laser light. It activates the Levulan® in the targeted cells which are then destroyed. Bacteria are destroyed, oil glands shrink and sun damaged cells peel away. Skin texture is improved, pore size is reduced, and skin appears smoother, brighter, and healthier.
What happens during and after the treatment?
The patient experiences a mild tingling during the treatment. The next few days feel like a sunburn as the old cells are shed off.
It is very important that you avoid direct sunlight for 36 hours (including car windows) after having the treatment. Sunlight contains the spectrum of light that can unpredictably activate the chemical and result in a much deeper peel than was expected.
What conditions can be treated?
• Sun damage: face, neck, shoulders, back, chest, hands, arms and legs
• Acne, oily skin, and enlarged pores
• Rosacea
• Keratosis pilaris (tiny bumps on cheeks and the back of arms)
What happens during PDT Treatment?
Clean your skin of all makeup, sunscreen and moisturizers. If you have recurrent cold sores, we'll start an Antiviral prophylaxis. We will perform an acetone scrub or microdermabrasion. A clear painless solution is applied to your skin and left on for 30–60 minutes. It is then activated by a light source, usually BLU–U®, LightWave blue LED therapy or IPL, for a few minutes and then washed off. Most people require three to five treatments, two to four weeks apart.
The treatment will also target sebaceous hyperplasia (those small, benign bumps on your skin), and the papules of acne rosacea. Skin oiliness is decreased, and the appearance of pores is minimized. The entire skin texture improves following a Photodynamic Acne Treatment.
PDT Acne Therapy
There are several different presentations of acne ranging from comedonal (blackheads and whiteheads), papular, pustular, and cystic acne. In many cases, many of these presentations of acne can be present on an individual simultaneously.
Prior to photodynamic acne treatment, the best available treatment option for cystic acne was Accutane. However, with Accutane there are many systemic side effects including birth defects, liver abnormalities, mood depression, and virtually all patients get dryness. PDT Acne Treatment provides a viable alternative for all types of acne treatment. For many people this means being able to avoid oral antibiotics or Accutane.
FotoFacial RF and PDT
Photodynamic therapy can be combined with our regular skin rejuvenation treatments using FotoFacial RF, which targets redness and brown spots, as well as stimulates formation of more collagen in the skin. There is normally no downtime for FotoFacial RF treatments without Levulan. However, one can enhance and boost the FotoFacial RF skin rejuvenation results by adding Levulan to the treatment process. The down time is a little longer than for a typical FotoFacial RF treatment but the results are phenomenal! The pores become finer, spots flake off and the result is a subtle air brushed look that your friends and family will compliment you on.
Is there any downtime? What happens after treatment?
We'll apply sun block and make sure you wear your hat out of the office. Patients are more sensitive to the sun for 36 hours after treatment and must avoid direct light. If possible, patients should remain indoors for the first 24 hours after treatment. There may be mild swelling around the eyes for 1 day and redness and peeling for about seven to 10 days. You'll use mild cleansers and moisturizers until the peeling stops. Sunscreen is mandatory. Topical acne medications can be used in between the PDT treatments once the redness has settled down, usually over a period of a few days. Again, if you are prone to facial cold sores, Dr. Tanne will prescribe antiviral medication to prevent a recurrence.
The advantages of PDT are rapid treatment of acne lesions all over the face without scarring or surgical excision. The skin appears refreshed and younger following these treatments. There are no systemic side effects.
Who should avoid Photodynamic Therapy?
Pregnant women, those who have taken Accutane® in the past three months, and those with active cold sores. Dr. Tanne will discuss whether this treatment is appropriate for you during your free consultation.
When is the BLU–U® light or LightWave LED therapy used without Levulan®?
Since the BLU–U® light and LightWave LED destroys bacteria that aggravate acne, mild to moderate acne can be improved with just the light. Treatment involves sitting in front of the light for a few minutes twice a week for 5 weeks. It is safe and painless, and can be used together with prescribed acne medication, microdermabrasion, and light chemical peels.