Hi! Glad you’re here…
There are literally SO many topics and avenues that I want to dive into regarding ALL the THINGS Medical Aesthetics, but let’s start first with the basics, shall we?
Allow me to introduce myself…
My name is Jess and I am a Medical Aesthetician here at Refresh Medical Spa. I have over 11 years of experience in the Aesthetic Industry, with a primary focus in corrective and preventative treatments and medical grade skincare. I’m a major fitness and health junky and I’m pretty much obsessed with all things skin and beauty related. oh, and wine…all the wine. (Aren’t we all?!) So pour yourself a glass, cuddle up with your coziest blanket, and tune in monthly to our Refresh Blog and get the insider scoop on treatments, products, skincare tips, and other beauty industry buzz.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD SKINCARE REGIMEN AND WHAT IT CAN DO FOR YOU!
The number one question that I get asked : “What do you use on your skin?”
I think it’s only fitting for ‘Skincare’ to be the topic to introduce our Refresh Blog, since quality skincare is at the forefront of everything we do! It is the most basic, foundational step in obtaining a youthful, radiant, and healthy complexion. In many cases, simply using quality products in a routine that is personalized for you, can provide what your skin needs to address the concerns you may have, such as pigmentation, acne, melasma, fine lines and texture, and general signs of aging or imbalances.
We often recommend other services in the office to be done in conjunction with skincare, to achieve results. Many of the services that we do in office, require your skin to be prepped and primed for the treatment to help attain the best results possible. A good skincare regimen can even help boost the outcome of your neurotoxins, fillers, and laser treatments. I like to think of it as protecting your investment, by improving your skin’s performance ability and aiding in your recovery! Simply put, using good, quality pharmaceutical grade skincare helps your skin to function properly, age gracefully, and take years off of you by reducing damage that’s been done in your past.
(Umm, yes, please!)
Now that I’ve ranted and raved about the benefits of what a good regimen can do,
I want to highlight two key words here:
Pharmaceutical Grade.
Many of you may have never heard this term before, so let’s break it down…
Pharmaceutical grade, or medical grade products, can only be sold where a physician or licensed professional is present. These products are regulated as drugs, due to the quality of their ingredient profile. The ingredients in these products are more pure and undiluted, lack impurities and unnecessary additives, have a higher percentage of actives, and go through the rigorous process of FDA approval for safety, quality, and efficacy. These products are backed by science with double-blind and controlled trials to prove their consistency in the results that are claimed.
IN A NUTSHELL:
Pharmaceutical grade products utilize high quality, concentrated ingredients that are proven to penetrate deep into the skin, working at a cellular level to change how your skin functions, producing the outward appearance that you desire.
In contrast, over -the- counter products are products sold at your local drug store, mall, or possibly neighbor down the street. These products are regulated by the cosmetics industry and have no standard in place for their production, therefore, their efficacy and ingredients cannot be guaranteed. Oftentimes, these products contain comedogenic filler ingredients or preservatives, causing inflammation and clogged pores. According to the FDA website:
“Cosmetics are intended to beautify, promote attractiveness, alter appearance or cleanse; they are not approved by FDA for sale nor are they intended to effect structure or function of the body”
IN A NUTSHELL:
Over-the-counter products are not tested by FDA standards and lack the pure, concentrated levels of ingredients to penetrate deep enough into the skin to promote actual change. These products may only be affecting the outermost, dead layer of skin.
During consultations,
a common complaint from new inquiring clients is that they have tried everything for their skin, and there’s just nothing that works for them. When investigating further, I inevitably discover that their drawer is full of failed over-the-counter products. I FEEL their frustration, because that is a lot of time, effort, and money spent on something that was never designed or guaranteed to change anything! These products aren’t cheap and in the long run, that trial and error game really adds up, which is very discouraging. If you’ve been there, I know it is difficult to want to invest in more products, because you’ve been burned! So hear me out…
As an Aesthetician, I have done many medical aesthetic services on my own skin throughout the past decade….lasers, chemical peels, skin tightening, botox/fillers….the list goes on…
BUT, I WILL TELL YOU A LITTLE SECRET (AND IT’S THE HARD TRUTH):
My results would not be as great as they were, had I not had a good skincare game going at home. My skin looks younger and more radiant now than it did when I was in COLLEGE. No joke. I was seeing wrinkles, pigmentation and other signs of aging in my late teens and early twenties. (Side note: did I mention I worked at a tanning salon in high school? Ugh! another post, another time! )
It is the combination of in-office treatments and the consistent use of medical grade skin care at home, that has turned back the hands of time in my own skin. The pair work synergistically to provide incredible outcomes and lasting results. I like to relate it to fitness and nutrition as an example: You can work as hard as your little tush can take in the gym, but if your nutrition isn’t on point, your performance won’t be stellar and although you may still see some results… they won’t be optimal.
To answer the original question at the beginning of the entry, here is a little video showing what I use daily and how I apply it for maximum effectiveness. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all routine. This is where your licensed skin care professional comes into play. We take the guesswork out of it! We are trained, experienced, and have a wealth of product knowledge that allows us to tailor a specific skin care regimen just for you. We can examine your skin through consultations to recommend the products that will benefit you most. And I promise, through a little time and consistency, we will get you the beautiful, youthful skin you desire, for years to come!
