RENOVA RETIN-A ANTIAGING/ ANTIACNE  CREAM

PRICING:

INTRODUCTION:

The fountain of youth is a myth, but so is the idea that you can do nothing about your aging skin. The majority of the skin changes we think of as aging are actually caused by sun exposure. As part of a comprehensive skincare and sun avoidance program, RENOVA 0.02% and 0.05% can reduce the signs of photodamage, helping to smooth out fine wrinkles. RENOVA 0.05% can also treat mottled hyperpigmentation and tactile roughness. What's keeping your skin from looking its best? Click on the statement above that best describes where you are in your search.

Sun protection
Protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. Learn the facts about sun damage.

Know the Facts About Sun Damage

Sun damage, also known as photodamage, refers to how the sun alters the look and feel of skin. Sun damage is a form of extrinsic aging, which is premature aging caused by the environment, including unprotected exposure to the sun. Extrinsic aging is cumulative, which means the effects worsen with repeated, unprotected exposure to the sun.

When you expose your skin to the sun, what you're really doing is exposing it to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, an invisible form of radiation. There are two types of UV rays-UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and are the main cause of premature aging and skin cancer. UVB rays mainly impact the surface of the skin and are the primary cause of sunburns. They also contribute to skin cancer.

Whether you are walking to your car, driving to work or simply sitting near a window, you are exposed to harmful UV rays. This type of daily exposure is known as incidental UV exposure.

Incidental exposure occurs where you least expect it-in the shade, on cloudy days, even while indoors. 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 nearly 20 hours. That's like spending the weekend at the beach without wearing sunscreen!

The signs of sun damage are not always obvious. However, sun damage is cumulative and can worsen over time. That means the signs of sun damage will likely appear as you grow older. These signs include fine wrinkling, roughness, mottled hyperpigmentation (light, patchy discoloration, including brown spots), coarse wrinkling, yellowing and laxity (loose, thin skin that can result in a sunken appearance).

In addition to premature aging of the skin, sun damage also increases your risk of skin cancer. The three common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous of all skin cancers; however, it is almost always treatable when detected early.

Everyone is susceptible to the damaging effects of the sun. However, some people may be more at risk than others based on the following factors: Where you live, how you live, your genetics and your medications.

If you live closer to the equator, the sun is directly overhead and UV rays are stronger. If you live in mountainous regions, look out! Research suggests that there is approximately an 8% to 10% increase in UV intensity for each 1,000 feet of elevation.

If you enjoy outdoor activities, you may be more at risk than if you are an indoor person. Sun damage accumulates over time-the more you are exposed, the more damaged your skin becomes. Apply sun protection every time you venture, or adventure, out.

If you are fair skinned with light hair and freckles, you are at the highest risk of developing sun damage and skin cancer. And if you have a family history of skin cancer, take extra precautions and use daily sun protection.

Certain medications, such as antibiotics, cause heightened sensitivity to the sun, resulting in sun rashes and sunburns. Ask your doctor if any of your medications can cause photosensitivity.

Cosmetic procedures may increase your sensitivity to the sun. If you have undergone, or are considering a treatment such as microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing or a chemical peel, talk with your dermatologist about how to protect your skin.

Protect yourself against daily sun damage by applying sun protection with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher every morning. To ensure a future of healthy, beautiful skin, schedule regular appointments with your dermatologist. Your doctor can provide you with education and information about skincare and explain the numerous sun damage prevention and treatment options available to you.

Source: "Preventing Sun Damage" from OrthoNeutrogena

Renova

I. Definition:

Renova is an antiaging cream that contains the active ingredient retinoic acid. Retinoic acid has been sold for years under the brand name Retin-A . Retin-A is a prescription drug used for the treatment of acne. The Food and Drug Administration has now approved the use of retinoic acid sold under the name Renova for the treatment of sun damaged skin.

II. Action:

• Causes lightening of brown sun spots and leads to the disappearance of fine wrinkles. Renova also will thicken sun damaged skin slightly.

III. Side Effects:

• Makes the skin more sensitive to sun light (easier to get a sun burn).
• Can cause dryness, redness, tenderness, and swelling of the skin.

IV. Safety:

• Renova is very safe when used as directed. Renova should not be used if you are pregnant.

V. How To Use:

• You should wash your face twice a day with a mild non-soap cleanser such as Cetaphil lotion available at your local pharmacy. Pat the skin dry with a towel. Let your face dry for 10-15 minutes before applying Renova. Apply Renova to the face each night before bed; do not get the medication into your eyes.
• Apply a moisturizer containing a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher to the skin each morning. This will help counteract the dryness and scaling. The sunscreen will help protect the skin from sunburn. Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun's rays are the strongest.
• If the skin becomes too red and dry, decrease the application of Renova to every other night or even every third night.
• If you plan to have hair removed by waxing, especially of the upper lip, stop the Renova 3-4 weeks prior to the treatment. Otherwise, you may be left with a sore area which could heal with a brown spot.

Retin-A and Avita should be applied once a day, in the evening, to the skin where acne appears, using enough to lightly cover the affected area. The liquid form may be applied using a fingertip, gauze pad, or cotton swab. If you use gauze or cotton, avoid oversaturation, which might cause the liquid to run into areas where treatment is not intended.

Renova is also applied once daily in the evening. Use only enough to lightly cover the affected area. Before you use Renova, wash your face with a mild soap, pat your skin dry, and wait 20 to 30 minutes. Then apply a dab of Renova cream the size of a pea and spread it lightly over your face, avoiding your eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, and open wounds.

You may use cosmetics while being treated with these products; however, you should thoroughly cleanse the areas to be treated before applying the medication.

If your skin becomes too dry, you may want to use petroleum jelly or another emollient during the day.

If there is no immediate improvement, or new blemishes appear, don't get discouraged; it takes weeks for the medicine to take effect. Continue applying the prescribed amount. (Do not increase the dosage; it may irritate your skin.)

Do not stop treatment when improvement finally occurs. You must continue therapy to maintain the beneficial effect.

--If you miss a dose...

Resume your regular schedule the next day.

--Storage instructions...

Store at ordinary room temperature. Do not freeze Renova.

VI. Most important fact about this drug

While using Retin-A, Avita, or Renova, keep exposure to sunlight, including sunlamps, to a minimum. If you have a sunburn, do not use the medication until you have fully recovered. Use of sunscreen products (at least SPF 15) and protective clothing over treated areas is recommended when exposure to the sun cannot be avoided. Weather extremes, such as wind and cold, may be irritating and should also be avoided while using these products.

VII. What side effects may occur?

If you have sensitive skin, the use of Avita or Retin-A may cause your skin to become excessively red, puffy, blistered, or crusted. If this happens, notify your doctor, who may recommend that you discontinue the medication until your skin returns to normal, or adjust the medication to a level that you can tolerate.

An unusual darkening of the skin or lack of color of the skin may occur temporarily with repeated application of Avita or Retin-A.

Side effects of these medications are generally not severe and may include burning, dry skin, itching, peeling, redness, and stinging.

VII. Why should this drug not be prescribed?

If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to either of these products, avoid using them.

The safety and effectiveness of long-term use of Retin-A in the treatment of disorders other than acne have not been established.

The safety and effectiveness of Renova 0.05 percent cream have not been established in children under age 18, adults over age 50, and people with heavily pigmented or sun-damaged skin, nor in periods of greater than 48 weeks of daily use.

The safety and effectiveness of Renova 0.02 percent cream have not been established in children under age 18, adults over age 71, and people with sun-damaged skin, nor in periods of greater than 52 weeks of daily use.

IX. Special warnings about this medication

Be sure to keep these products away from the eyes, mouth, angles of the nose, and mucous membranes.

The medication may cause a brief feeling of warmth or slight stinging when applied. If it causes an abnormal irritation, redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin, notify your doctor. He may suggest that you use the medication less frequently, discontinue use temporarily, or discontinue use altogether. If a severe sensitivity reaction or chemical irritation occurs, you will probably need to stop using the drug.

If you have eczema (skin inflammation consisting of itching and small blisters that ooze and crust over) or other chronic skin conditions, use these products with extreme caution, as they may cause severe irritation.

During the early weeks of acne therapy, a worsening of the condition may occur due to the action of Avita or Retin-A on deep, previously unseen areas of inflammation. This is not a reason to discontinue therapy, but do notify your doctor if it occurs.

Retin-A gel and Avita are flammable and should be kept away from heat and flame.

Renova will not eliminate wrinkles, repair damage done by the sun, or reverse the aging process. After you stop using Renova, it is best to continue using a sunscreen and avoiding the sun.

X. Possible food and drug interactions
when taking this medication

If these medications are used with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Avita or Retin-A with the following:

Preparations containing benzoyl peroxide, such as Benzac AC Wash 5, Benzshave, Desquam-E, PanOxyl
Preparations containing sulfur (ointments and other preparations used to treat skin disorders and infections)
Resorcinol (a drug, used in ointments to treat acne, that causes skin to peel)
Salicylic acid (a drug that kills bacteria and fungi and causes skin to peel)

"Resting" your skin is recommended between use of the above preparations and treatment with Avita or Retin-A.

Do not use Renova if you are taking other drugs that increase sensitivity to sunlight. These include:

Certain antibiotics, including Cipro, Noroxin, and tetracycline
Major tranquilizers such as Thorazine and Mellaril
Sulfa drugs such as Bactrim and Septra
Thiazide drugs (water pills) such as Diuril and HydroDIURIL

Caution should be exercised when using Avita, Retin-A, or Renova in combination with other topical medications, medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have a strong drying effect, products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, or lime (especially the peel), permanent wave solutions, electrolysis, hair depilatories or waxes, or other preparations that may dry or irritate the skin.

XI. Special information
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Retin-A during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

Do not use Renova or Avita during pregnancy or if there is a good chance that you will become pregnant.

It is not known whether the drug appears in breast milk. Use with caution when breastfeeding.

XII. Recommended dosage

RETIN-A /  RENOVA

Apply once a day in the evening.

You should begin to notice results after 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. More than 6 or 7 weeks of treatment are needed before consistent beneficial effects appear.

Once acne has responded satisfactorily, it may be possible to maintain the improvement with less frequent applications or other dosage forms. However, any change in formulation, drug concentration, or dose frequency should be closely monitored by your doctor to determine your tolerance and response.

Apply just enough to lightly cover the affected area once daily at bedtime. Do not apply more than the recommended amount; it will not improve results and may cause increased discomfort. You will see the most improvement during the first 24 weeks of therapy. After that, Renova will simply maintain the improvement. When therapy is stopped, the improvement will gradually diminish.

XII. Overdosage

Applying Avita, Retin-A, or Renova excessively will not produce faster or better results, and marked redness, peeling, or discomfort could occur.