Do Vitamin C and Retin A thicken skin "in vivo" and how long does it take?

Question

I was told by a skin care producer that my thinning skin needs Vitamin C and Retin A because they're the only products shown by research to actually thicken skin AND cure wrinkles on real, live humans. Is this true? Is there really a body of research on humans showing this? If so.....how LONG before I'll see results?

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

Prolonged use of Retin A and certain formulations of Vit. C which penetrate the dermis do result in thickening of the skin. The operative word is penetrate. Most cosmetic preparations do not penetrate the dermis and a mere topical application which does not get into the skin will not work. Using the right products the effect can become visible in as little as 6-8 weeks in some while in others it takes a little longer. By the way the science behind this concept is 20-30 years old. Peter Aldea MDMemphis, TN

Do Vitamin C and Retin A thicken skin "in vivo" and how long does it take?

Answers (1)