The Role Of Vitamin A In Acne Treatments
Currently, there are plenty of vitamin A-based medications used in treating mild to severe kinds of acne. These vitamin A-based medications or retinoids can be divided into three generations:
But when did this nutrient’s reputation as a potent acne treatment began? According to experts, vitamin A was discovered between 1912 and 1914 by M. Davis and Elmer V. McCollum. Several decades later, experts were able to synthesize a version of vitamin A. However, this nutrient’s role in the advancement of acne medications gained popularity during the sixties, with its synthetic versions developed during the following decades. As of today, retinoids are still used by many dermatologists in treating breakouts.
This organic substance is good for your eyes, bones, skin, and immune system. As a treatment for zits, this potent nutrient can help regulate the shedding of your skin cells. One factor behind breakouts is the production of excess skin cells that can clog your pores and trap in excess oils, creating a breeding ground for the pimple-causing bacteria. These clogged pores can then turn into zits or pimples, signaling the presence of acne.
Aside from the skin cell-regulating ability of this natural substance, it can also help reduce swelling, making it a popular choice when dealing with inflammatory kinds of acne.
However, some kinds of retinoids are still a topic of debate among some experts since most of them are not meant to be used while the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding because of the serious health risks. An example is isotretinoin, commercially known as accutane. According to clinical studies, this drug might actually cause congenital defects. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient but if it is used in excess amounts or synthetic versions are used, it becomes toxic and harmful to a growing fetus.
Other drawbacks of vitamin A-based acne medicines include irritation, redness, flaking, a stinging or burning sensation, and psychological problems such as depression, although the last one is only linked to accutane. These are the reasons why some don’t bother to use retinoids when treating their breakouts.
The discovery of this nutrient’s role in the production of skin cells was an important event in the history of acne treatments. Until today, some severe kinds of acne that have not responded to other medications can only be treated through isotretinoin.