In a skincare market saturated with products that claim to eliminate wrinkles, plump skin, erase sun damage and so much more, it can be hard to separate scientifically based claims from marketing shams.

​But if there’s one thing that medical professionals seem to agree on, it’s that retinol is effective in reducing the signs of aging.

A brief history of retinol
In the late 1960s, American dermatologist Dr. Albert Klingman discovered that tretinoin – which is part of a class of vitamin A derivatives known as retinoids – was a highly effective treatment for acne. It was marketed as Retin-A and it’s still available to treat problem skin today.
But when some of Dr. Klingman’s patients started to notice that their skin was becoming smoother, less wrinkled and less blotchy, he realized that retinoids were also potent anti-aging compounds. This landmark finding led him to develop another tretinoin cream called Renova to fight what he called “photoaging” due to sun exposure.
Today, tretinoin (also known as retinoic acid) is available in prescription strength from a dermatologist or in its much gentler form, retinol, in over-the-counter products. Retinol converts into retinoic acid once it’s applied to the skin, and while it’s not as potent as its prescription cousin, there’s plenty of scientific evidence to prove that it works.
One major review published in the journal Dermato-Endocrinology in 2012 concluded that retinol has positive effects not only on extrinsic aging (photoaging), but also on intrinsic skin aging (chronological aging), and it has a strong positive effect on collagen metabolism.

What are the different forms of vitamin A?
Confused about the difference between retinoids, retinol, retinoic acid and tretinoin? Here’s a quick guide to the various forms of vitamin A.

Retinoids: Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A. They include retinoic acid (also called tretinoin) and retinol.

Retinoic acid (tretinoin): This is a potent retinoid found in prescription creams. While it’s very effective, it can cause redness and irritation during the first couple of weeks of use until the skin adapts to it.

Retinol: Chemically an alcohol, retinol is a gentler version of retinoic acid found in over-the-counter products. It may still cause some skin irritation.

​Retinyl palmitate: A combination of the ester of retinol and palmitic acid (a saturated fatty acid), retinyl palmitate converts to retinol and then to retinoic acid once it’s applied to the skin. Because it’s even gentler than retinol, it can be used by people with sensitive skin.

Retinyl acetate: This is another ester of retinol which is also less irritating than retinol and retinoic acid.

How does retinol work?
Retinoids – including retinol – speed up the turnover of skin cells, eliminating sun spots and improving the texture of the skin. They also reduce the breakdown of collagen, which helps the skin maintain its firmness and elasticity, and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Because of the important body of scientific evidence to support the efficacy of retinoids, they’re highly recommended by dermatologists to fight the signs of aging.

How should retinol be used?
Start by applying a pea-sized amount of an over-the-counter retinol product to your face every second night. It’s best to start slowly because retinol can cause irritation for the first two weeks until your skin gets used to it. You can use moisturizer to combat dryness during this initial period.
Apply retinol at night because sunlight can reduce its effectiveness, and always use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher while using retinoids because they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

What should I look for on the label and when can I expect results?
Over-the-counter products generally don’t state how much retinol they contain, but they range between 0.5 per cent and 1 per cent retinol. You should start to see noticeable results within three to six months of daily use. Prescription retinoids can start to work in six to eight weeks.




​

Environ’s Complete Anti-Pollution Spritz
​
This spritz assists in effectively calming, rebalancing and strengthening the effects of the skin’s resistance against the harmful effects of pollution.

​This lightweight, fragrance-free spritz creates a powerful daily protective shield, assisting in protecting against the visible signs of pollution damaged skin, i.e. reducing the effects of oxidative stress and the effects of rebalancing the microbiome, leaving the skin looking less inflamed and healthy.

Environ’s Purifying Anti-Pollution Masque
​
This masque assists in absorbing skin impurities, while soothing, moisturizing and protecting the appearance of a compromised barrier function.

​This multifunctional masque, scientifically formulated with charcoal and special botanicals, assists in purifying pores by absorbing pollutant impurities, while soothing, moisturizing and protecting the look of a compromised barrier function as a result of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS).

We use a variety of technologies in each of our customized treatments depending on a client’s skin condition on the day that we see them. High frequency is used in our facials to treat acne, stimulate collagen production, and increase blood flow, resulting in a clearer, brighter complexion.
Frequency describes the number of electric waves that pass a fixed place in a given amount of time. Waves with the shortest wavelengths have the highest frequencies which are between 3 to 30 megahertz (MHz).
High frequency safely stimulates the skin using thermal energy which triggers blood flow and the production of collagen and elastin. The current generates a rush of blood to the treatment site, which causes the blood vessels right beneath the surface of the skin to dilate. This dilation pushes away toxins in the bloodstream and pollutants buried within the skin.
Ozone, an activated form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms and provides a more abundant supply to cells is formed by the argon gas in the electrode and the electrical current. This increases cellular turnover, kills harmful bacteria and diminishes inflammation, which reduces and treats acne.
We harness the electrical current through a wand device with a glass electrode to safely transfer it directly into your skin. In our treatments, we typically perform high frequency after extractions as it ensures a quicker healing process.
While high frequency is safe and effective for many people, there are exceptions.

• Do not use AHA or Glycolic Acid products with high frequency.
• Avoid contact with broken capillaries, spider veins and areas of rosacea
• Do not use high frequency during the first trimester of pregnancy.

And as with any treatment option, you should seek the advice of your esthetician or dermatologist to make sure it is appropriate for your skin’s condition.

Our skin is naturally acidic, typically with a pH balance of between 5 - 6 (on a scale from 0 - 14). Pollutants, detergents, soaps, cleansers, and even water (among many other things) can disrupt those levels.

When we cleanse, our pH balance can get thrown off. Yes, our skin might be clean, but it is not at its ideal levels. When skin is not at its proper pH level, it can become oily or tight, which why toning is crucial. Toning after cleansing restores skin to a state where moisturizers and serums can be absorbed efficiently and effectively. They can be repairing, hydrating, balancing and smoothing on the skin’s surface, and can be used for every skin condition.​
Often times we forget that skin is the largest organ in the body. Just like our stomachs or livers after a long night out, it’s important to regenerate and restore the organ to its proper levels.

So, what exactly is toner?

When your skin produces excess oil, it becomes acidic. So, a lot of facial cleansers have a “basic” pH level to combat this acidic, oily skin. These can make the skin a bit dry and if moisturizer is skipped, skin will become dehydrated. This is why toner is so crucial. Most toners will have the optimal level to balance out the dryer, more alkaline skin after washing.

When it comes to picking the toner that is right for your skin, avoid alcohol based products as they can be very drying. ​

Pro tip: When applying, don’t rub the skin. Saturate a cotton round with the product, or use your hands—press and release the toner on to your face, neck, and don’t forget about the décolletage.