You know the importance of ensuring that your skin is always well cared for. That’s why many people like you visit professionals like Magdalena Med Spa in Lake Forest.
The skin plays a huge role in the impressions people leave on those they interact with. Therefore, it’s critical to ensure that breakouts and other skin issues are treated properly and completely. Healthy skin will help give you that youthful appearance that makes you look young and happy.
However, when buying skin products, you need to ask yourself which are better- medical skin care lines or over-the-counter medication? Here are some things to consider when making that decision.
Skin Care Effectiveness
One thing you will realize soon enough is that over-the-counter treatments may not be as good as advertised. The truth is that they do a poor job of treating specific conditions.
When you try an over-the-counter product, you may notice some effect on the skin. However, if your condition is serious, it may not be treated. These products do not have sufficient amounts of active ingredients to get into the skin and make changes at the deeper layers.
One of the reasons why over-the-counter treatments do not work is that they are meant for the general population. For example, if the product is meant to treat dry skin, it is made strong enough to bring temporary relief, but it is not strong enough to completely treat the skin, especially in the case of extremely dry skin.
Over-the-counter treatments tend to only treat the upper layer of the skin. This is the part that you can see when you look in the mirror. Working only on this section makes it difficult to completely heal the condition. Sure, you will get some relief; however, it will not be long-term. Once you finish using the product, the condition may return. It may actually end up being much worse, making it necessary to consult an expert.
Self Diagnosis
Most over-the-counter medicines allow customers to self-diagnose and self-medicate. This means that when a patient walks in and requests skin care products for dry skin, this is what will be offered. The products need to be mild because the person’s diagnosis may be wrong.
Also, they will hurt their skin if they use strong products for the wrong reasons. However, medical skin care lines are accurate since doctors have tested the patient and identified the problem-causing issue. The drugs used in these instances are strong enough to possibly provide permanent relief.
FDA Approved Skin Care
The FDA closely monitors the ingredients and concentrations used on medical grade skin products. It tries to ensure that the ingredients are safe for use. These products are meant to treat skin conditions that are somewhat chronic and cannot be treated with over-the-counter medication. Because they are meant to get under the skin, it is necessary to ensure that the ingredients used and their concentrations are safe.
Unlike over-the-counter products, these get much more scrutiny to ensure the safety of their users. They are also tested by researchers to find out if the manufacturer’s claims hold up. As a patient you are likely to find out a lot of information on the medication and how it may affect the skin with prolonged use. This information also helps your doctor prescribe the best possible dosage.
Costs
One of the main reasons why people do not buy medical skin care products is the incorrect assumption that they are expensive. This may be true when you consider the initial cost of treatment, but the long-term expenditure on over-the-counter medicines can add up significantly. At times, these products cost the same as medical grade alternatives or are much more expensive.
Independent cosmetic or department stores may sell the OTCs at a much higher price than what you thought. This is because companies do not dictate retail prices. Since the ingredients are not as concentrated, you end up using much more products than you would if you opt for over-the-counter drugs. You spend all that money for products that give you the impression of working to give you healthy skin when they are actually not effective at all.
Medical grade products from specialists like Magdalena Med Spa, on the other hand, work effectively. If the initial cost is a bit higher than that of over-the-counter alternatives, you will use fewer products. The products will also work faster and much better. You, therefore, get drugs that are effective for much less. The assumption that many people have on the price is, as a result, wrong. Medical grade drugs are more affordable because they have a higher concentration of ingredients that work on all layers of the skin. You also do not pay for their costly marketing on TV infomercials. Their prices do not also hike based on the area that the department or drug stores are located. The prices remain constant for a long time. You also get to have the drugs prescribed by a doctor, which will give you peace of mind that the product will work without harming your skin further. Doctors know the ingredient concentrations and will prescribe to you the right dosage. You are also certain that your skin condition will be treated from its root. So, you will not suffer from the condition again since the likelihood of its occurrence is minimal.