Best Friend Handbook: Medical Grade Skincare, Better?

08 Feb Best Friend Handbook: Medical Grade Skincare, Better?

My friend Katherine Stuart writes a wonderful blog,”Best Friend Handbook,” everything from fashion and beauty tips to nutrition and recipes – including recipes for success in life – which she feels are ramped up by practicing gratitude every single day.

This week, Katherine talks about medical grade skin care. When and what it is worth the hit on your piggybank; what and when not.

I have been a lotions and potions junkie since I was in grade school. Of course, back then, what I put on my skin didn’t matter because I was 12 with invisible pores, no acne and not a wrinkle in sight. At 56, the landscape has changed considerably. Today, what I put on my skin matters. The right products literally change how my skin looks, and this, in turn, can make me feel better. The problem, of course, is that there are so many options out there. How do I know which ones are right for me? Then, there’s the question of whether I buy my potions at the drugstore or should I use the more expensive medical grade skincare? Well, here are a few of my thoughts on the subject (I also consulted some of my plastic surgeon and cosmetic dermatologist clients for their take)…..

See a Dermatologist

The first order of business is figuring out what your skin needs so see a professional. If you don’t already have a dermatologist, find one. At the very least, you should have a skin cancer check annually. It can save your life. But a dermatologist can also help you figure out the best products for your individual needs. For example, I didn’t get cystic acne until I turned 35. Treating it with over-the-counter zit creams didn’t work out so well as these products are geared towards teenagers, and my skin was older and dryer. My dermatologist recommended a regime that helped kill the bacteria without turning my face into the Sahara.

A dermatologist is a skin, nails and hair expert. Since your skin is the body’s largest organ, having it checked out annually by a professional is also a good way to stay on top of any potential health issues. My dermatologist was actually the one who discovered my breast cancer. A professional is also a great resource for the latest in medical grade skincare.

What is Medical Grade Skincare?

Medical grade skincare is a bit of a misnomer as you don’t always need a prescription to buy them. However, you often do have to get them through a medical professional such as a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or facialist. What distinguishes medical grade skincare is that the products have a higher concentration of active ingredients. This is also what makes them more expensive. Budget wise, I am not in a place where I can purchase only medical grade skincare. And frankly, I don’t think it’s necessary. Instead, I have pinpointed the things that bother me the most about my skin, and chosen the best products to address my issues.

Facial Aging is Personal

The thing about facial aging is that it’s multi-factorial. Depending on your genetics and lifestyle choices, your birthdays may show up on your face as:

Fine lines & wrinkles
Sun spots
Hyperpigmentation
Melasma
Rosacea
Broken blood vessels
Sagging skin
Uneven, “crepey” skin texture
It’s up to you to decide what bugs you, if anything, and what doesn’t…

Continue reading here.