Does applying retinoid really make you age faster?

Don't you feel like your skin is getting better when you apply Stiva, Differin, and Acrif?

It seems like the troubles have decreased and the texture has become smoother haha

But we need to think about whether this is really good in the long run.

I brought it to see what other people thought.

As you all know, retinoids promote epidermal stem cell differentiation, accelerating skin turnover. This allows dead skin cells to be removed more quickly, giving your skin a renewed, rejuvenated appearance.

But stem cells aren't an infinite resource, right?

Every time a cell divides, a part called a telomere gets shorter, and when it wears out, it can no longer divide.

Telomeres are a crucial element in determining cell lifespan, so if they continue to be rapidly depleted, they inevitably reach their limit. Of course, stem cells contain an enzyme called telomerase, which can help repair them to some extent. However, this doesn't last indefinitely.

In fact, there are studies showing that retinoids inhibit telomerase in cancer cells and shorten telomere length.

Although it has not been fully proven in skin cells, even cancer cells that proliferate indefinitely have shortened telomeres, so can we be sure that skin stem cells are completely safe?

Logically, I think that if you use it at high concentrations for a long period of time and continue to accelerate cell turnover, it could possibly affect telomere length or the long-term lifespan of the cells.

And that's not all

Retinoids stimulate dermal fibroblasts to increase collagen production and promote blood vessel proliferation. So, in the short term, your skin will look plumper and more youthful.

However, if this type of inflammatory stimulation is repeated, I think it is theoretically possible that it could put a strain on the dermis.

What do you all think?!?

As an acrid user, I thought it was a point worth considering, so I'm posting it.