Have you ever been perplexed when it comes to choosing a skincare product? What about online Purchasing over-the-counter products may seem to be a cost-effective option. But can drugstore products help you get the results you want? Which of these truly work?
One of the most commonly asked questions at Southlake Plastic Surgery & Med Spa. For years, we've helped customers create a healthy skincare regimen at home to maximize the benefits of their surgical and non-surgical procedures.
While following a skincare regimen at home is an act of self-care, the items you use within that practice are as important, if not more so.
What Is Out There
There is a wide variety of skincare products accessible today, ranging from drugstore brands to high-end goods offered in department and retail stores. Then you have the things offered at doctors' offices! These may be as familiar as Oil of Olay, which contains hyaluronic acid and claims benefits in 30 days.
SkinCeuticals, SkinMedica, Elta MD, and other medical office brands guarantee greater outcomes with more active ingredients than store-brand treatments.
Continue reading to discover more about the differences between medical-grade skincare products and those available over the counter. Then, we'll discuss our picks for the top skincare products of 2024!
What Does 'Medical-Grade' Mean When It Comes To Skincare Products
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Dermatologists and top skincare professionals collaborate to create medical-grade products. These skincare products are only available via medical spas or doctor's offices, since they are created in pharmacies. Southlake has a limited number of these offices. But this does not mean you should go without!
Investing in medical-grade skincare products ensures that you obtain the finest components in concentrations that will truly improve the health of your skin over time. However, before you can buy these items, you must first have a consultation to discover what is ideal for your skin type and condition.
Even with what our skincare professionals would call a "limited selection" of medical-grade skincare products in the Southlake region, there are still enough to pick from! Finding what works best for you might be frustrating or confusing if you are not guided properly.
The staff at Southlake Plastic Surgery makes it our duty to remain up to date on the newest and best skincare products, procedures, and methods. We wish to share this expertise with our community.
Why Is Skin Care Important, Anyway
Yes, we get this question. And it is valid! While we are skincare specialists, we recognize that the majority of people have much more pressing concerns. Getting the kids to school, crushing it at work, and finding time for self-care may be quite difficult.
But your skin is vital. It is your body's biggest organ and the first line of defense against infections, germs, debris, sickness, and other harmful substances. This also implies that focusing on this crucial activity 24 hours a day, seven days a week might wear our skin out!
Our extensive expertise in skincare has taught us that taking care of your skin benefits both you and it.
Let's get a short overview of the skin.
To better understand how medical-grade skincare products operate, you need be acquainted with the three primary layers of the skin.
- The hypodermis is the deepest subcutaneous layer loaded with fat cells to insulate the body.
- Dermis: intermediate layer containing collagen and elastin fibers.
- The epidermis is the outer layer of skin that protects the body from environmental factors.
These functions keep us appearing fresh and youthful. However, with time, those layers become less effective in performing their functions. Several things occur as we age:
- Skin cells in the epidermis becoming thinner.
- Collagen and elastin synthesis slows.
- Fat cells in the hypodermis shrink.
This will result in wrinkles and/or fine lines, as well as a loss of face volume. Then, in addition to the natural aging process, we must consider environmental elements such as sunlight. While a nice tan might make for the finest #summerselfies, it also has the potential to accelerate the aging process. Don't be scared to join the #staypale club and apply SPF!
The greatest medical-grade skin care will help you slow down the passage of time and minimize (or even eradicate) issues including wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and more!
To get optimal results for both aesthetics and skin health, it's recommended to use medical-grade skincare products instead of over-the-counter options.
Comparison of Medical-Grade vs. OTC Skincare Products
Whether it's a moisturizing lotion, retinoid cream, or sunscreen, here are some important elements to consider when comparing medical-grade skincare products to over-the-counter alternatives.
Quality of Active Ingredients:
Because of the substances used, the finest skincare products are deemed "medical grade". These substances have undergone extensive research and development, resulting in novel compositions. Only scientific academics and worldwide skin specialists embark on this costly and time-consuming process. And as providers, we rely on their knowledge, experience, and research!
On the other side, OTC product manufacturers do not often devote as much time and effort to their recipes, preferring to use more traditional and/or safer substances. Because they are marketed and sold to a larger audience (these goods do not need a prescription), they must naturally include these components.
Sometimes, these firms may "borrow" research and formulae from medical-grade skincare product manufacturers. These solutions rely heavily on groundbreaking research conducted by medical-grade firms to comprehend the most recent advances in skincare. The formulations are then applied to mass-produced items.
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Concentration of Active Ingredient
Because the Southlake team has significant skincare expertise and understanding, we understand that peptides, antioxidants, retinoid, and alpha-hydroxy acids are just a few of the fantastic ingredients that our skin need. But how much of each should you put to your regular skincare routine?
Medical-grade goods may include greater quantities (% of active compounds vs non-active substances) of certain essential nutrients. This is because these items have restrictions on where they may be marketed. Unlike OTC goods, which can be obtained at almost any drugstore or general shop, medical-grade skincare products must be acquired from an approved practitioner, who will offer you with the professional medical advice and assistance you need to understand how to use these products effectively.
In 2024, for example, hydroquinone will be an important element in several potent medical-grade medications. Skincare products with a greater dose of this hydroquinone may be much more helpful in treating hyperpigmentation. However, whereas OTC goods are only authorized to include up to 2% hydroquinone in their formulae, medical-grade treatments may contain up to 5%. This 50% increase in hydroquinone not only results in a more inexpensive product, but also in quicker and more effective outcomes. In addition, you should exercise caution while utilizing products containing hydroquinone or its derivatives.
Clinical Testing
Did you know that OTC products do not undergo the same amount of testing as medical-grade goods? This is simply because they do not contain large levels of active substances. However, some OTC skincare product manufacturers make claims that have not been professionally validated.
Medical-grade goods undergo years of rigorous testing to PROVE scientifically that they can generate the desired and stated effects. Do you feel super informed yet? Great! Let us review.
The Key Components Of medical-Grade Skincare Products Are:
Ingredients used in published, peer-reviewed dermatological research to enhance skin health and appearance.
Bioavailable forms of those components (compared to distant relatives)
The concentration of actives is strong enough to make an impact (many products include little levels merely for inclusion on the ingredient list.
In a medical context, medical-grade products may be used with non-invasive treatments like chemical peels, lasers, and photofacial therapy to achieve optimal skin health under the supervision of a physician or their authorized providers.
What Is Not In Actual Medical-Grade Products?
What is NOT in medical-grade goods is as vital as what is. This is important to understand since many individuals are sensitive or allergic to many of the components included in non-medical grade goods.
If you want to take your skin care seriously in 2024, you should avoid products that include:
- Fragrances and perfumes.
- Other "natural" compounds that have been linked to contact or allergic dermatitis include botanicals.
- Harsh chemicals and detergents remove the skin's protection. (We save these materials for our chemical peels!) It is worth noting that several over-the-counter "moisturizers" include them, creating a continual need to buy more and more product!
- Parabens and other harsh preservatives (which are often the source of skin problems in sensitive persons). These are often present in many OTC sunscreens!
Our Top Picks: Best Medical-Grade Skincare for 2024
Southlake Plastic Surgery has conducted a thorough research process to discover the finest medical-grade skincare products to offer our patients in 2024. We provide safe medical-grade goods as well as other well-researched over-the-counter skincare items to help patients achieve optimum skin health.
SkinMedica is the most popular line.
You've heard of Botox, Juvederm, and other well-known anti-aging products. Did you realize that several of these goods are owned by the same company? Allergan is fondly recognized in the aesthetics world as God's gift to skincare.
Allergan's expertise is seen in their SkinMedica product range. This medical-grade product collection has a wide range of serums, cleansers, and other items that plump, moisturize, and soothe the skin in remarkable ways. (Plus, you can get SkinMedica straight from our online store!)
Our favorite aspect of SkinMedica is their whole kit/systems, which enable you to buy a bundle of products that will all compliment one another and help you accomplish your skincare objectives in 2024.
Staff Pick: The Southlake Plastic Surgery Line.
Okay, we may be little prejudiced. But you would be, too, if you spent years working with high-quality skincare specialists to create your own line of products that you believed would be ideal for your clients!
Our private label items are medical quality, well tested, and, most importantly, loved by our customers. They include:
- A nightly skin brightening lotion may enhance skin tone and health, especially during the summer when lasers and photofacial treatments may not be as effective owing to sun exposure.
- A serum to boost your everyday moisturizer or use alone for oily skin.
- This acne treatment cleanser removes germs, reduces redness, and prevents pimples.
- Gentle, calming cleansers for sensitive skin.
- An antioxidant and BHA serum to enhance skin's look.
- Retinol (Vitamin A) helps improve fine lines and wrinkles.
We're also delighted to offer BAK probiotic skincare items in our shop. Probiotics are a recent breakthrough in the beauty and cosmetics sectors. In recent years, we've seen how probiotics may be an effective weapon against damaged skin. Probiotics may help the skin fight off common disorders like acne and psoriasis.