Treating Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Nonprescription and Prescription Topicals

Treating fine lines and wrinkles with prescription and non-prescription creams can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, crow's feet, dark spots on the skin, as well as improve the overall beauty and health of the skin. While prescription topical creams that reduce fine lines and wrinkles may be more expensive and have more side effects than non-prescription topical wrinkle creams, they are more effective.

Using Prescription Topical Cream for Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Several prescriptions are available to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Renova, for example, was approved by the FDA in 2000 for the treatment of fine lines, wrinkles and crow's feet. Renova is one of the more popular brand names, but other names include Altinac, Actralin, Tretin-X, Retin A Micro Gel and Retin-A. The generic name for this formulation of Tretinoin Cream and derivatives of Vitamin A is called Tretinoin Topical.ᅠ

The makers of prescription fine line and wrinkle reducing cream suggest that nightly application of the prescribed strength will begin to show results within 6 to 8 weeks, and visible results within 6 months of using the topical cream.

How Prescription Cream for Fine Lines and Wrinkles Works

The prescription creams for fine lines and wrinkles work because they are able to penetrate deep into the skin at a cellular level; the prescription wrinkle creams increase the level of pro-collage I. Beauty is pain and the common side effects are redness, itching and drying or flaking of the skin before seeing the visible improvements of the skin. It is stated that these symptoms begin to fade once you have been on the topical prescription for fine lines and wrinkles for awhile.

Contraindications for Prescription Cream

Not everyone can use Renova or other creams that reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Pregnant women especially are denied the prescription as are those who are breast feeding. Those who take diuretics, certain antibiotics, Thorazine, Compazine and Phenergan must stop taking the prescription cream. This is not an all-inclusive list; consult your doctor, dermatologist, or pharmacist before beginning any new medication.

Using Non-Prescription Topical Cream to Reduce Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Although non-prescription topical cream to reduce fine lines and wrinkles is not as effective as the prescription types, it is safer and much cheaper. You have a wide variety of non-prescription creams that will, over time, reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles on your face.

These over-the-counter creams to reduce fine lines and wrinkles also have far fewer side effects than prescription types of creams. You do not have to go to the doctor or dermatologist to use them, and only a select few non-prescription creams will suggest you stop using the cream when taking other medications.