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Bridging the Gap between Medical and Esthetics

Most of us want to stay looking healthy and youthful for as long as possible. Today there are hundreds of products and procedures that claim to keep us “looking young forever”.  The dilemma is choosing the appropriate products and services - and more importantly - from whom.  How should one go about deciding what esthetic treatments and medical procedures will best suit their needs?  Where does one decide where to get these done?

To make an educated decision on the approach that is best for you, you should consider the following:

  •  Seek advice from a licensed medical esthetician affiliated with a physician who has the appropriate credentials and experience in medical cosmetic procedures.   The benefit is that she has the knowledge and experience to advise you on both medical and esthetic procedures.  She will refer you to a qualified physician for services such as laser skin treatments, botox, cosmetic fillers etc.
  • If you are considering medical procedures such as botox, laser treatments or cosmetic fillers etc., consult with a physician who is qualified and experienced in these procedures.  Visit the facility and meet with the providers in advance.  Even though these procedures may seem commonplace, only a physician or qualified technicians under the direction of a physician should be performing these procedures.
  • Ask yourself how aggressive do you want to be, and what is reasonable for your lifestyle.  There is always more than one solution.  A consultation with a medical esthetician or physician can help you decide the best approach for you.

Let’s talk about products.  There are hundreds of products on the market from over the counter (OTC) to cosmeceuticals to prescription pharmaceuticals.  We are bombarded with advertising from the internet, television and magazines - all claiming to perform miracles on our skin.  Choosing the appropriate skin care product is important to enhance the effects of your treatment program.  So how do you choose the right one?

Let’s use an analogy comparing cosmetic treatments to chocolate. After all, what woman doesn’t like chocolate? Chocolate is made from the cocoa bean, but if you buy an inexpensive chocolate, it does not taste the same as high quality Swiss chocolate. This is because the purity of the cocoa bean and the formula are different.  The same is true with skin care products. Less expensive products use lower quality ingredients and the formulations may not be as effective in penetrating the skin.  The old adage holds “you get what you pay for” holds true.  That is not to say that you need to spend tons of money to get good results.  Consulting with an esthetician or physician can help you decide which products are best for you.

In summary, the first step to healthy effective skin care is to consult with a licensed esthetician and/or physician who specialize in skin.  Visit and speak with that facility.  Do your own research.  Don’t be fooled by advertising and colorful photos. And like many things in life, if it sounds too good to be true, chances are it is.

 

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