There’s more to skincare than what’s on the label
In today’s world, you see skincare products sold almost everywhere from spas, Etsy, Amazon, the grocery store, farmer’s market, or even convenience stores. They all have a variety of claims about results, ingredients, and uses. It’s no wonder that someone would be confused about how and when to believe the labels promised by the vast array of skincare products out there. As a physician, even I can get confused about what a product actually is when browsing a store shelf.
Like everyone else, have you ever opened your own bathroom cabinet to see how much money you’ve spent on the newest and greatest, only to find another dust gathering letdown that has taken up precious storage space? Raises hand reluctantly… guilty. Most of us want flawless, glowing skin that is radiant and free of imperfections. But how can we determine which skincare products are worth investing in and is there actually a difference between the plethora of options available to us?
In reality, there’s a significant difference and variability in products available on the market, especially in the USA, but we’ll get to that more in a bit. This may not apply to you as much if you’re fortunate enough to have genetically beautiful, faultless skin. Those blessed individuals just need to keep their skin moisturized, clean, and protected. But for the vast majority of us that wish to improve and enhance the look of our skin, we have to make smarter choices about products (and bathroom counter space).
What is “medical grade” anyway?
The term “medical grade” in skin care is used too lightly by some brands and companies. However, it should really mean something specific. When staring at a new product, you may find yourself wondering, is this really going to make a difference? Or is this just another marketing lure? Here’s a secret, though: when you choose where to purchase it, you’ll be able to tell the difference. Drugstores and department stores have attractive merchandise. They feel good, smell good, and are generally reasonably priced. Over the counter products are offered by both.
Genuine skincare products of “medical grade” are distinct. Despite the fact that many drugstore products have marketing claims, medical grade products are distinguished by the fact that they are only prescribed by physicians and doctors. This indicates that these products are offered for sale in a clinical environment by medical specialists, such as a med spa where a medical director is in charge of the patient journey and product recommendations.
It is likely that you are concerned about your skin because you are reading this article. Your main objective ought to be to learn from a skincare expert. When you were sick, did you ever try to get Dr. Google to diagnose your symptoms? If so, how did that turn out? Speaking with an expert who has examined a wide range of skin types and conditions throughout their professional career and who has a track record of successful outcomes is essential. Along with discussing the specifics with authority, you also want to be sure that this person can explain what is happening inside your skin and why. This individual is typically a dermatologist, but they can also be a physician, medical aesthetician, cosmetic nurse, general practitioner, or plastic surgeon.
Now, if you think about these experts, you’ll also notice that most of them sell skincare products that are ONLY medical grade and don’t waste time with others. As far as effectively treating the skin is concerned, these healthy skin ambassadors typically embrace a wider range of techniques, including microneedling, lasers, and IPL. This is because these experts push the boundaries to improve your outcomes and assist you in maintaining them over the long run.
Now, to improve clinical outcomes, a skincare expert wants to make sure that their patients are using medical grade skincare products for at-home care because their patients are investing in procedures that improve skin health. You don’t want skin care products to be a reason results aren’t well maintained. After all, this is what is being put on the skin day in and day out. “Medical grade” refers to products that are offered by clinics and establishments that function under a physician’s license and medical direction. This is not the same as a company that makes the claim that it was founded by a doctor or that doctors have approved of it; these claims by themselves do not qualify a product as medical grade.
Pure ingredients at higher concentrations
The ingredients in a product are another critical factor that sets medical grade products apart from over-the-counter ones. Ingredients in a product need to formulated for purity, concentration, and interactions with other ingredients. When you shop for OTC products, even the most sensitive skin types are considered by the companies you find when you’re aimlessly browsing a department store or pharmacy. That is to say that they have the general public in mind. In order to avoid possibly irritating the skin, they have buffers and lower concentrations. Using concentrated ingredients in medical grade products may not be suitable for your skin type and may even cause irritation if not used correctly. This is because you are often on your own and self-diagnosing. Typically, ingredients of medical grade product pack a punch. With the highest concentrations of active ingredients, they are powerful, pure, and effective. And under strict professional supervision, this is done with a purpose: to treat very specific skin conditions or concerns that should be properly medically diagnosed.
These two product categories deserve a closer examination. With a medical grade serum from a dermatologist in one hand, and a serum from a drugstore or department store in the other, even if both contain the same active ingredient, you are holding two different products. The actives in the product from the dermatologist’s office can include, among others, peptides, enzymes, humectants, pure actives, and acids. Numerous active ingredients have structural advantages, meaning they only affect the skin or its interior. Their deep penetration allows for a multi-layer approach to treatment. They also contain cutting-edge technologies like encapsulation, which preserves the purity and integrity of active ingredients as they permeate the skin. Products of the medical grade varieties have the strength to treat issues that are buried deeper in the skin and can also aid in prevention.
Stronger, more potent ingredients are almost always found in medical grade products because they are carefully formulated for your skin type under the supervision of an expert who is most familiar with YOUR skin. Items made to medical standards prioritize prevention and correction. They are supported by science and prescribed by doctors. There are no buffers or inactive sprinklings for marketing purposes.
Look for real, third-party testing
Lastly, remember how I said there’s so much variety in quality and more unknowns about skincare in the United States? That’s because the United States does not restrict as many ingredients for consumer safety like other countries, such as Canada or European countries. Just because a product is medical grade does not mean it’s “clean”. There’s another term that’s open for interpretation, but to the brands we carry, clean skincare means being truthful and transparent about what is in the products. Every ingredient should be considered with safety in mind, including dosage and exposure.
Any products that are carried in our clinic are clinically tested and free from over 1,300 substances banned by the European Union (E.U), Health Canada as well as our Federal Drug Administration (FDA). These products we hand selected do not include additional, potentially harmful ingredients including phthalates, sulfates, parabens, dyes and artificial fragrance, like can be used in medical grade skin care. Our brands are equally committed to science – using clinically proven ingredients, medical-strength formulations and optimal dosages in products that produce results.
An experienced medical aesthetics provider can guide skin treatment options. Our licensed physician offers comprehensive aesthetics consultations and free discovery calls. Learn more about Natural Medical Aesthetics and the aesthetic services that we offer in Meridian / Boise!
