The GOLD melasma treatment normalizes skin maturation, pigment distribution, decreases melanin production by the skin, and increases collagen and elastin production by the skin. It may delay or prevent the development of skin cancer. In the gel form or as Retin A® micro™, it is a potent anti-acne medication. On adult skin, daily use will create and maintain younger looking skin. Retinoic acid should be applied to affected wrinkles and/or pigment spots sparingly after cleansing and drying skin each night. A pea sized amount is enough to cover the entire face. Use with daily sunscreen applied in the morning. Many precautions apply to use of the GOLD.

First, it is an adjunct to comprehensive skin care and sun avoidance (anti-aging). You may experience stinging, burning, itching, redness, and dryness of the skin. Flaking or light peeling may occur. These usually subside as your skin adjusts to the medication. Meanwhile, avoid unnecessary skin irritants, use moisturizer, and inform the doctor of these side effects.

A corticosteroid cream may be prescribed to help dermatitis resolve. If it doesn’t resolve, Dr. Laverson may prescribe a lower strength retinoic acid, like .02% or .025% cream (less concentrated).

Do not apply to eczematous or irritated skin. Pregnancy, eczema, sensitivity to sunlight, sunburn, and certain medications (fluoroquinolones, thiazides, tetracyclines, phenothiazines, sulfonamides) are relative contraindications to tretinoin / retinoic acid therapy.

Avoid using the GOLD for longer than four months consecutively. It’s best to take a one month vacation from tretinoin and hydroquinone after four months of consecutive treatment, then resume with daily sunscreen.

How Anti-aging Treatment Work

Anti-aging skin treatment includes protection from the sun and for many, regular use of tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic-acid), the best established of all prescriptions for maintaining youthful skin.  

Tretinoin penetrates into cellular machinery, inducing many favorable effects.  Tretinoin up-regulates collagen and elastin, thickens aging epidermis, normalizes pigment distribution, and diminishes fine wrinkling of the skin.  Although surface drying of the skin may result, Dr. Laverson controls this by suspending his tretinoin formulation (The GOLD) in powerful moisturizers and by adding low strength anti-inflammatory agents.  Apply tretinoin to aging and/or pigmented skin areas evenings after cleansing.  Exfoliation improves penetration and increases effectiveness.  Tretinoin is a prescription product, and MUST be accompanied by strong sun protection during the day because it sensitizes skin to solar exposure.

Restoration of Beautiful & Youthful Appearing Skin

No matter how damaged your skin may be, we can improve your situation, often dramatically.  The first step to skin recovery is examination and professional evaluation.  Your consultation includes complexion analysis, skin history including genetics and exposure, and careful inspection by Dr. Steve Laverson.  If your personal or family history includes skin cancer, or you notice a skin lesion that has been growing or changing, consultation and/or follow-up with your primary care physician or dermatologist may be urgent.

Depending on problem(s) you want to improve, we offer safe and effective treatments, and follow your progress for the best results.