By Jennifer Fick, RN, BSN
With the advent of "cosmeceuticals" hitting the public with claims of anti-ageing, firming, and reversing time, consumers are constantly being bombarded with advertisements that pitch "miracle in a jar" skin care products. But do they actually work?
As medical and skin care professionals, we too are continually pressed by sales reps to sell the "newest hot product" hitting the market. At the same time, we are confronted by information, both supportive and conflicting, about the benefits (a.k.a. miracles) of said new products. However, unlike over-the-counter products that are not required to have clinical studies, medical-grade products must go through an extensive testing and approval process.
So what do we do?
Unlike many organizations that sometimes conform to the pressures and blindly adopt new "wonder" items, we carefully research every potential product, thoroughly analyze credible clinical studies, confer with colleagues, and sample them ourselves to ensure that we are offering our patients only products that are efficacious, safe, and easy to apply. Because we are a medical office, we have access to a tremendous array of topical treatments and it is our responsibility to deliver only the best and proven products to our patients.
A variety of skin care products are used to enhance and maintain the benefits of our treatments. In the long term, this means a lesser cost to our patients. Because the products we use work as a catalyst to our treatments, this translates into potentially fewer or less frequent treatments, and significantly better aesthetic results.
Home skin care is largely the patients' part of their treatment plan. We provide appropriate, therapeutic, effective treatments collaboratively with our patients. But in turn, patients follow pre and post procedure care instructions and incorporate a skin care program that bests suits their skin and lifestyle. In conjunction with choosing the right product for the right patient and treatment, this team effort allows patients to achieve superior cosmetic outcomes.
So what program is right for me?
By utilizing exfoliating products such as Retin-A, Retinol, Salicylic and Glycolic Acids, we are able to rapidly remove dead skin cells and renew the skin, thus improving skin texture and the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and pore size. We often incorporate exfoliants into our Microdermabrasion, Dermaplaning and PhotoFacial (SM) procedures to prepare the skin and to accelerate and maintain the benefits of the treatment.
Hydroquinone works to lighten stubborn brown pigmentation, especially melasma, also known as "pregnancy mask." Hydroquinone works by temporarily slowing down pigment production in over-active melanocytes, thus evening out skin tone. By using it in small amounts for short periods, we can successfully treat all types of pigmentation. Hydroquinone is also used as a pretreatment program for darker skin types prior to laser treatment, allowing safe and effective laser treatments while minimizing the risk of side effects.
Additionally, all patients benefit from the use of antioxidants, human growth factors, and other "nutraceuticals" which act like nutrients for the skin, helping it repair and regenerate itself in a healthy manner. Prevage, TNS, and a variety of topical Vitamin C products, allow us to customize the right product for the right skin, depending on skin condition, skin type, sensitivity level, and lifestyle.
And least, but certainly most important, we encourage our patients to wear sunblock daily. Regardless of activity level, we encourage patients to get into the habit of applying it daily with their normal skin care routine. This ensures that when coverage is needed, it is there. Consider that outdoor luncheon, unexpected walk, not finding a shady spot at the game. Our hats may be at home occasionally, but our sunblock should follow us wherever we go!
At the end of the day, the next time you are trying to decide what product will benefit you the most, or if you're just plain confused by too many choices, please stop by our office. Our friendly staff is always available to help you make the right skin care decisions. |
