Why MEDICAL GRADE Skincare?

medical grade skincare,  cosmeceutical skincare

A solid skincare routine is a must in the quest for healthy, youthful skin. But when it comes to sifting through the myriad of different skincare products available today, there’s everything from your run-of-the-mill over-the-counter drugstore products to medical grade skincare, which stand in a league all of their own.

Medical grade skincare brands are growing year by year. As more attention is placed on this category of supercharged skincare replete with quality active ingredients, the conversation surrounding them widens. If you’re interested in dipping your toe into the medical grade skincare pool and what to know what makes them superior to other grades of skincare, consider this your ultimate guide to the best medical grade skincare options and everything you need to know.

Understanding Medical Grade Skincare

Medical grade skincare stands apart from other skincare products. Sometimes classified as cosmeceutical skincare, this more concentrated and scientifically backed skincare is designed to address a specific skincare need or issue, including pigmentation, wrinkles, acne, or laxity. Medical grade skincare contains far more advanced delivery systems and a much higher concentration of active ingredients, like peptides, antioxidants, and retinol, compared to over-the-counter skincare, making for more dramatic and visible effects and results in a faster period while improving both the aesthetic and medical benefits of the skin.

When selecting the best medical-grade skincare products for your skin, it’s important to pick dermatologist-approved and endorsed ones. Skincare products that boast a dermatologist’s seal of approval are of higher quality, have been put through a far more rigorous testing process, and often are accompanied by clinical data, too. Plus, medical grade skincare products that dermatologists recommend and sell meet their high expectations and criteria for what makes a skincare product excellent.

Although medical grade skincare may be superior to what’s available on drugstore shelves, their accessibility is far more limited. Most medical-grade skincare products are only available through a dermatologist, medi-spa, or licensed retail website, so always make sure you are buying your products through an authorized retailer.

Key Features of Medical-Grade Skincare

medical grade skincare, cosmeceutical skincare

Several features allow for medical grade skincare to stand on its own. For starters, medical grade skincare companies can source highly stabilized active ingredients that won’t break down or degrade as fast as other skincare ingredients. They are also formulated using advanced technologies to penetrate deeper and faster into the skin for better results without causing irritations or sensitivities.

Medical-grade skincare products may be more expensive than their less concentrated counterparts. However, that’s simply because the active ingredients, such as peptides, antioxidants, exfoliating acids, and retinol, are of a higher quality with clinical evidence. Most

dermatologists also find medical-grade skincare more effective than over-the-counter products. Some medical grade skincare products are even recommended to be used alongside in-office treatments and procedures to amplify and maintain the results.

Expert Tips for Optimal Results

Medical-grade skincare comes with more concentrated ingredients, so following your dermatologist’s instructions and never abusing these skincare products is essential. Since some of the best medical grade skincare products employ exfoliating acids, which help with skin texture, unwanted pigmentation, and even acne, it’s crucial to slowly introduce these products into your current skincare routine and use them every few days until you can work your way up to daily use to limit breakouts, skin purging, redness, dryness, and sensitivities.

Should any adverse skin effects occur, it’s best to reevaluate your skincare routine and see if any other products may be causing a negative interaction. If not, consult with your dermatologist and their team of professionals. 

While most skin types can benefit from medical grade skincare, some may find the more potent concentration of active ingredients too much for their skin, causing intolerance. To make sure a medical grade skincare product is a good fit for your skin, always consult your dermatologist or their aestheticians first.

It’s important always to follow the directions when using medical grade skincare brands and not overdo it. Consistency and patience with a medical-grade skincare routine are key to making the most of the products. But that also means not overdoing it or using more than the recommended dose.

New Year, New Skincare Resolutions!

skincare resolutions

2024 Skincare Resolutions

I personally don’t like to make New Years Resolutions, feels like too much pressure. But when it comes to healthy, beautiful skin sometimes we need some guidance. So we’ve compiled a VERY FEW things you can do this year to make life easier but get some results!

1: Simplify your skincare routine

I know skincare is a hot trend right now, and I love that. But a lot of people are using way too many products due to so many being the trendy thing to try. If you are applying 5/6/7 products at one time, ask yourself, how much are these actually absorbing? You are most likely wasting your time and your money. Use 1-3 products that you love and are medical grade and corrective. For example:

Morning Routine:

Cleanse: IF not extremely dry. If you are like a lot of our Colorado clients and extremely dry, it is best to skip cleanser in the morning or use a creamy cleanser. You do not need to spend a lot of $ on a cleanser, it is on the skin for about 15-30 seconds. Use something basic and affordable such as Cetaphil or Cerave. Save your $ for the corrective products.

Antioxidant: This is a product you want to spend your $ on. Topical antioxidants fight free radical damage such as UV radiation, pollution, etc. all of which breakdown your skins’ barrier function and collagen and also create sundamage in the form of reds and brown spots in the skin. A high quality antioxidant will most likely contain Vitamin C. Not all Vitamin C’s are created equal, you want to look for THD, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate. This is the most advanced form of Vitamin C.

Moisturizer: If your skin requires extra moisture after your antioxidant then apply. You don’t need to spend a lot on this product either as you have already put the correcting product on.

SPF: Apply your SPF last and use something you love. With all the choices out there these days, it’s very easy. Make sure to reapply mid day.

Nighttime Routine:

Cleanse: I always recommend a double cleanse especially when wearing sunscreen and makeup. This insures a clean, fresh slate for your very important correctives to absorb and work properly.

Retinol or Retinoid: These Vitamin A derivatives are the single most important part of anyone’s skincare routine aside from SPF! Retinoids are most likely prescribed from a doctor and tend to be more aggressive but definitly work. Retinols are mostly over the counter, but come in a variety of strengths and tend to be more time released so they are tolerated well by the skin and therefore can be used more consistently.

Moisturizer: A simple moisturizer will seal in water and prevent water loss. The corrective ingredient is on the skin so your moisturizer doesn’t need to be fancy.

2: Get consistent with professional treatments

Monthly treatments don’t have to break the bank. We offer several membership options to make it easy to be consistent. Treating your skin monthly with either a microdermabrasion, chemical peel, hydrafacial, dermaplane etc. allows us to stay on top of any skin concerns you have and improve them. Consistent exfoliation, extractions and collagen stimulation gets the skin in shape and keeps it there. Think of us as the gym for your skin!

3: Practice better sun prevention

Sunscreen can only protect your skin so much. Here in this Colorado elevation we absorb SO much more UV rays than those at sea level. In order to really prevent sundamage you need to apply spf every 2 hours when outdoors and wear a wide brimmed hat to keep the rays off your face as much as possible. A lightweight neck gator like the ones used for fishing are a great idea to prevent redness, brown spots and wrinkles on your neck and chest.

Simplify your skincare in 2024

Consider a simplified approach to skincare in 2024. Focus on quality rather than quantity, streamlining your routine to include essential steps like cleansing, a high-quality antioxidant with Vitamin C, moisturizer if needed, and reliable sunscreen. Consistency is key, both in your daily regimen and regular professional treatments. With a commitment to sun prevention, including frequent sunscreen application and protective accessories in sun-exposed areas like Colorado, you can look forward to healthier and more radiant skin without the burden of excessive skincare rituals.

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Best Sun Damaged Skin Treatments When You Live in Colorado

As we finally say goodbye to summer in Colorado (you can never know when), it’s the perfect time to address all of the glorious sunshine that has accumulated on our faces, necks, chest, hands and arms. These are some of our favorite sun damaged skin treatments to get your skin looking healthy, smooth, even and bright!

sun damaged skin treatment

Chemical Peels:

Peels are one of the easiest and most cost effective treatments you can do. Here at Accent Aesthetics, we offer many different types of peels from light to deep. We can custom blend them to treat all kinds of issues: acne, scarring, hyperpigmetation and sun damage and texture issues such as fine lines, crepiness and wrinkles.  Social downtime (redness, dryness, peeling and flaking) ranges depending on the peel we choose. But most often it is anywhere from 1-5 days. A small price to pay for skin that is more even toned and smooth and all around healthier.

IPL:

Intense Pulse Light. Such a great, tried and true technology. The light sees the melanin (pigment) in the brow spots and the hemoglobin in the red vasculature of the skin. Most sundamage is a mixture of these 2. Our IPL device is amazing at targeting and shutting down these issues.

Social downtime can range anywhere from 2-7 days and generally appears as redness and mild swelling then coffee ground scabbing which literally looks like tiny little coffee grounds where the browns are. These fall off within a few days to reveal noticably more even skin! The IPL does produce collagen and kill bacteria due to the thermal technology but we really use it as a color correcting treatment. But the reduction of acne and improvement in skintone is a nice side effect.

HydraFacial:

The clear choice if dryness is your main concern.  We’re convinced this was created for Colorado skin! This relaxing treatment uses varying degrees of physical and chemical exfoliation combined with hydrating peptides, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid. The exfoliation removes built up dead skin, allowing hydrating moisturizers and serums to absorb better. The alpha hydroxy acids brighten stubborn pigmentation and loosen clogged pores. There is no downtime with HydraFacials and they can be done right before an event for a beautiful glow!

AdvaTx:

AdvaTx combines 2 lasers in 1 treatment for full dermal health. The more superficial wavelength is similar to that of the IPL, focusing on breaking up the reds and browns in the skin, but delivered in a different way, allowing for less trauma to the skin. The second, longer wavelenth focuses on bulk heating deep in the dermis to stimulate collagen reducing unwanted textures such as fine lines and large pores. It also helps shrink oil glands that can cause acne and lesions such as sebacous hyperplasia. There is little to no downtime with AdvaTx, and you leave the office looking smooth and refreshed!

Call or go online to book a consultation!

accentaesthetics

 

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Colorado Fall Skincare Tips

It’s getting cooler, and DRYER!

If you’ve lived here forever or even for just a little while, you know the change of seasons here in Colorado can be extreme. It’s 96 degrees and sunny one day, 29 degrees and snowing the next. Welcome to Fall in Colorado! It comes in quick!

These changes often wreak havoc on your skin. But luckily there are a few fall skincare tips and simple changes you can make to your skincare routine that will ease your skin in without any issues!

Fall Skincare Tip #1: Switch up your cleanser

fall skincare

This is an easy and inexpensive way to help your skin adjust to the seasons. If your using a foaming cleanser with anti-acne properties such as Salicylic Acid or Benzoyle Peroxide, start using a more gentle, foaming, fruit enzyme cleanser such as Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser. This cleanser uses Papain, a fruit enzyme derived from papaya, to gently polish away dead surface cells and keep pores clear without stripping the skin’s natural moisture. It also delivers vitamins and minerals to the skin helping brighten it up after the harsh, sunny summer. (And it smells divine!)

Fall Skincare Tip #2: Swith up your nightly retinol

We LOVE our retinols, they do so many important things. Create new collagen, hold on to the collagen we have and increase cell turnover, all things that create and maintain healthy, youthful skin. But higher concentrations can be drying, especially this time of year. It’s ok to use something lighter if it means you can use it consistently through the season. Our fave is Revision Skincare’s  DEJ Night Face Cream. It’s a low strength retinol combined with their anti-aging/anti-redness moisturizer. You can use it every night without irritation or dryness. An Accent Aesthetics MUST HAVE!

fall skincare

Fall Skincare Tip #3: ADD THIS MASK TO YOUR NIGHTLY ROUTINE

fall skincare

We feel like this product was made just for us here in Colorado! It goes on after your nightly products such as retinol and sooths and hydrates all night long.You wake up soft and glowing! And it may be the best thing you’ll ever smell!

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Laser Hair Reduction: It’s Time….

The quest for smooth, hair-free skin has led to a variety of hair removal methods, each with its own pros and cons. laser hair reduction

There are many forms of hair removal. Shaving, waxing, sugaring, tweezing, depilatories and laser.

Most of us throughout our lives will try some or all of these methods.

If you are still struggling with unwanted hair, laser hair reduction is the clear choice!

How Laser Hair Reduction Works

The laser sees the pigment in the hair, for this reason hair must be dark in color for the treatments to be successful. Treating blond or white hairs will result in very little reduction if any. The laser sends its heat and energy into the hair shaft, destroying the bond it has with the follicle. As a result the hair detaches and falls out. Over time and a series of treatments, the follicle ceases to grow more hair.

Now because the laser sees color, it must be done in experienced hands. Many skin types have varying levels of color or pigment. If treated incorrectly or too aggressivly, the laser will disperse it’s heat into the skin instead of the hair follicle causing burning, blistering and possible scarring. It is VERY important that you get treated by someone with knowledge and experience with all skin types.

Preparing for Your Laser Treatment

The root of the hairs need to be in the follicle for treatment, therefore do not wax, tweeze or remove the hair root in anyway. The hair should not be above the skin line though, this will result in burning of the hair and possibly the skin. This will place heat in the hair above the skin and not to the root where it is needed for best results. We recommend shaving the day before or day of treatment.

After Laser Hair Reduction

To avoid possible side effects, all patients need to protect their skin from the sun. After laser hair removal, you should avoid direct sunlight from hitting your skin and avoid using tanning beds.

You may see some redness and swelling after treatment. This often looks like a mild sunburn. Applying a cool compress can help reduce your discomfort. We may recommend applying a topical hydrocortisone cream to help reduce any irritation. These side effects are normal and resolve quickly. Most clients are able to return to their daily activities with no downtime

The Results

You will likely see the results immediately after your laser hair reduction treatment. The results vary from patient to patient. The color and thickness of your hair, area treated, type of laser used, and color of your skin all affect the results. You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment.

To remove the hair, most patients need 4 to 8 laser treatments. All of our laser hair packages come in a series of 6.  After finishing the treatments, most patients do not see any hair on the treated skin for several months or even years. When the hair regrows, there tends to be less of it. The hairs also tend to be finer and lighter in color.

We recommend follow up treatments a few times a year, especially for more stubborn hair.

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laser hair reduction
laser hair reduction