Crusile
Kraken
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2021
- Posts
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prompt:
There was a discussion that striked my interest. The first post:
"Today, I went to my first ever aesthetician appointment to formulate a good routine for myself. My jaw dropped when she told me that I should take tret out of my routine. She said she can always tell when someone has been using it long term because they have cellophane-looking skin. Has anyone else been told this or had this happen?"
Someone responded with this
"The cellophane finish is likely caused by fibrosis-like changes in the skin. Since tret activates TGF-b (it's basically how it increases collagen), I'd say it's a pretty expected outcome. Kind of a "head of an old bald man" type of texture, shiny and reflective.It's not a side effect, it's how it works. Overly collagenated skin with epidermal hyperplasia kind of looks like that - like, I dunno, a knuckle or elbow. It will be shiny and somewhat dense (yet not voluminous) which some users will perceive as "youthful glow". It will also feel "polished" to the touch, like the skin on your knuckle when you make a fist. That's where the cling-wrap look comes from.I don't believe it looks unnatural to anyone outside of dermatology/cosmetic industry. Profibrotic skin phenotype like that occurs naturally in many aged people."
This resonated with me because I dislike the look tretinoin gives to people's skin. I think it looks very bad and I must know how to avoid it. I need you to research if the responder's claim is true, and if other retinoid alternatives avoid this effect.
Can you extensively research these topics:
There was a discussion that striked my interest. The first post:
"Today, I went to my first ever aesthetician appointment to formulate a good routine for myself. My jaw dropped when she told me that I should take tret out of my routine. She said she can always tell when someone has been using it long term because they have cellophane-looking skin. Has anyone else been told this or had this happen?"
Someone responded with this
"The cellophane finish is likely caused by fibrosis-like changes in the skin. Since tret activates TGF-b (it's basically how it increases collagen), I'd say it's a pretty expected outcome. Kind of a "head of an old bald man" type of texture, shiny and reflective.It's not a side effect, it's how it works. Overly collagenated skin with epidermal hyperplasia kind of looks like that - like, I dunno, a knuckle or elbow. It will be shiny and somewhat dense (yet not voluminous) which some users will perceive as "youthful glow". It will also feel "polished" to the touch, like the skin on your knuckle when you make a fist. That's where the cling-wrap look comes from.I don't believe it looks unnatural to anyone outside of dermatology/cosmetic industry. Profibrotic skin phenotype like that occurs naturally in many aged people."
This resonated with me because I dislike the look tretinoin gives to people's skin. I think it looks very bad and I must know how to avoid it. I need you to research if the responder's claim is true, and if other retinoid alternatives avoid this effect.
Can you extensively research these topics:
- How different retinoids (Tretinoin, Tazarotene, Retinal, Retinol) impact TGF-β activation and fibrosis risk.
- The best retinoid options for avoiding excessive collagen cross-linking and "cellophane" skin.
- Clinical studies comparing Tazarotene vs. Tretinoin vs. Retinal for collagen production.
- The role of RAR activation (RAR-α, β, γ) in fibroblast stimulation and skin remodeling.
- How to balance retinoid use to prevent excessive TGF-β activation while maintaining anti-aging benefits.
