renova_2nd17Other than eating healthy and getting proper amounts of exercise and rest, the next step is to use a good anti-wrinkle cream.   It seems many doctors believe the best way to see proven results is through either Retin-A or Renova.  Renova is prescribed in a 0.02% concentration and can reduce the signs of photodamage, helping to smooth out fine facial wrinkles. 

According to their website, which has a wealth of information, they are clinically proven to reduce wrinkles.  One of their pages includes the ABCs about aging:  https://www.aboutrenova.com/agingskin.asp

The ABCs of Aging Skin: A Glossary of Terms

Do you know what elastin is?  How about the difference between the dermis and the epidermis?  Skin has a vocabulary of its own. Knowing some of the terms can help you understand your aging skin.

Age spots: Brown spots found on the skin that are visible evidence of accumulated long-term sun damage, known to dermatologists as “lentigines.” Also called “liver spots”.

Collagen: A fibrous protein found in the connective tissue that causes skin to be plump.

Dermatologist: Physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes.

Dermis: The layer of the skin beneath the epidermis. The dermis is largely fibrous and contains collagen and elastin—the proteins responsible for the support and elasticity of the skin. The dermis also contains tiny sensory nerve endings and blood vessels.

Elastin: A protein similar to collagen that is the principal structural component of resilient fibers, which enable skin to snap back when stretched.

Epidermis: Uppermost layer of the skin. The epidermis is highly cellular and divided into layers: the basal (bottom) layer that produces new cells and contains melanocytes or pigment-producing cells; a thick prickle cell layer; the granular cell layer and the stratum corneum or top layer.

Esthetician: A qualified skin care specialist trained to administer beauty treatments for the skin.

Melanin: A brown pigment produced by pigment producing skin cells (melanocytes). Increased amount of melanin pigment results in a tanned hue following exposure to ultraviolet light.

Photodamage: Skin damage and deterioration—fine wrinkling, brown patches and roughness—caused by long-term effects of everyday exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

Pigment: The coloring matter found in the skin.

Retinoic Acid: Vitamin A acid typically used in products for the treatment of acne and certain signs of photodamage.

Stratum Corneum: Outermost layer of dead cells in the epidermis that protects living tissue from external stimuli and forms a barrier to keep moisture in.

Sun Damage: See photodamage.

Tretinoin: A synthetic form of vitamin A, like the one naturally occurring in your body; the active ingredient in RENOVA.

Ultraviolet A (UVA), Ultraviolet B (UVB): Two types of solar radiation within the ultraviolet range that reach the earth’s surface, resulting in photodamage, suntan, sunburn and, potentially, skin cancer.

Myths:

Myths

Myth #1: Aging causes wrinkles, they can’t be avoided
The facts: While aging does contribute to those crow’s feet and laugh lines, sun exposure is the No. 1 cause of wrinkles. As we age, the collagen and elastin in our skin start to break down, causing skin to lose its resilience and creating wrinkles. Wrinkling leads to skin being less smooth. These effects are exacerbated by accumulated sun damage from ultraviolet radiation. Wearing a sunscreen or moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher every day can help reduce sun damage and prevent future wrinkles.

Myth #2: Facial exercises will make wrinkles go away
The facts: There is no conclusive evidence to show that facial exercises help get rid of wrinkles. In fact, many dermatologists believe these exercises can aggravate wrinkles that are caused by facial expressions and gestures, like crow’s feet and frown lines.

Myth #3: Dry skin causes wrinkles
The facts: While dry skin can make your fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable, it does not cause them. Sun exposure and aging are the two main causes. That said, keeping your skin moisturized will help it look smoother and more supple. And using a sunscreen or moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher every day will help protect you from future sun damage.

Myth #4: If you don’t go outside, you don’t need to use sunscreen
The facts: Whether you are walking to your car, driving to work or simply sitting near a window, you are exposed to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Incidental exposure occurs when you least expect it, damaging your skin in ways that may not show up for years—when you suddenly wonder where those fine lines came from. It is estimated that the average person is exposed to more than 10 hours of indoor UV rays every week. Add that to more than seven hours of outdoor UV rays a week and without proper protection, your weekly UV-radiation exposure could total close to 20 hours. That’s like spending a weekend at the beach without wearing sunscreen!

Myth #5: If you can’t see sun damage, you don’t have it
The facts: The signs of sun damage are not always obvious. Sun damage or photodamage is cumulative and can worsen over time. Remember all that sunbathing you did without sunscreen as a child? That can come back to haunt you as an adult in the form of fine lines, skin roughness, yellowing, age spots and in the worse case, skin cancer. See your dermatologist. He or she can accurately rate your level of sun damage and recommend ways to prevent it from worsening.

Myth #6: Getting a tan is healthy
The facts: Tanning is evidence that UV rays have damaged some of your skin’s cells. When you tan outdoors in natural light or indoors under artificial UV light (sunlamps or sunbeds), UV rays penetrate the inner layers of your skin. In response, the body produces more melanin, making the skin visibly darker. Damage from UV rays is the main cause of premature aging and skin cancer.

Myth #7: Getting a base tan will protect you when you go sunbathing
The facts: While getting a base tan does offer a little protection from UV rays, it damages skin in the process. Tanning with natural light or artificial UV light will increase your risk of skin cancer. If you really want to tan, trying using a sunless tanner, but it will not act as a sunscreen.

Myth #8: RENOVA causes your skin to become thinner
The facts: Although at the beginning of treatment RENOVA may thin your skin, with continued use, skin returns to its normal state.

Myth #9: Makeup with SPF of 15 is all you need to protect your face from the sun
The facts: Studies have shown that wearing any type of foundation will offer more sun protection than wearing none at all. It is a good idea to wear makeup with an SPF of 15 or higher, but don’t rely on it alone to protect your skin. Use a sunscreen or moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher underneath it to get the most protection for your skin.

Myth #10: If you didn’t wear sunscreen as a child, it’s too late to do anything about it now.
The facts: It’s never too late to protect your skin from further sun damage. While an estimated 80% of sun damage happens before the age of 18*, that doesn’t mean you should compound it by not taking care of your skin now. Wear sunscreen or a moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher every day, all year round.

*American Academy of Dermatology “The Darker Side of Tanning”

Want to see the before and after shots of Renova:

https://www.aboutrenova.com/beforeandafter.asp