SKIN CARE – What really works and why buy skin care from a Doctor's Office

There is a lot of confusion about skin care products.  There are thousands of products on the market with claims of dramatic success with their use.  What really works and why?  Is there a difference in what you can buy over the counter and what you buy at a physician’s office? 

Based on reviewing the plastic surgery literature, several products on the market can be identified that will help your skin biologically.  Some of these are prescription strength and some can be purchased over the counter.  A good skin care program includes a skin evaluation and products tailored to your specific needs.  You should plan to be on a program for the rest of your life since the aging process continues although the type of product needed may change over time.  The basis for a good skin care program includes four products – an exfoliant, a bleaching cream, an antioxidant, and a retinoid. 

The exfoliant may be alpha-hydroxy acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid.  This class of product helps remove the dead skin cells on the top of the skin.  This leads to smoother skin and more even makeup application.  This is used in the morning and is non-prescription. 

The bleaching cream is prescription strength hydroquinone.  This is used twice a day to fade pigmented areas of the skin due to sun damage or pregnancy.  It evens out the skin tone to provide a clearer complexion. 

An antioxidant like topical Vitamin C is non-prescription.  It repairs damage from the environment, is a skin brightener, and is an exfoliant, and helps build up collagen in the skin.  This is used once a day in the morning.  Vitamin C also calms the irritation some people experience when starting Retin-A. 

Retinols like Retin-A and Renova are prescription products used at bedtime.  They act three ways.  As our skin ages it gets thinner.  Retinols thicken the collagen in the dermal layer which decreases fine wrinkles.  As we age our skin becomes sallow.  These products give a pinker complexion which is more youthful.  Finally, it acts as an exfoliant helping the skin become smoother. 

Once you start on skin care you should see changes in the skin after 6 to 12 weeks.  At first your skin may feel dry or sensitive, but with the supervision of your aesthetician, this will pass and you should be seeing some nice changes in the skin. 

There are other products such as cleansers, toners, eye creams, and sunscreens that you add but these four classes of products are the core of a good skin care program.  We look forward to helping you with your skin care needs.