Skincare

Medical Grade Skincare: Cleansers, Exfoliators, Serums and More

Your skin is our priority. At Kitchener Waterloo Cosmetic Clinic we carry only the best in medical grade skincare products. We currently carry products from both SkinMedica and Vivier. Visit us and take a look at the products we carry or book a skincare analysis with our resident Skincare Specialist, Raeesa. We can give you an overview of our available treatments as well as our skincare lines, and tailor a custom regimen based on your goals, specific skin type, and concerns.

Medical Grade Products:

The cosmetics industry is massive, with various treatments, procedures, and products. But the foundation of anti-aging and skincare begins with the products you use on a daily basis. We recommend only superior products that will create healthier, more youthful skin.

Higher Quality Ingredients:

Medical grade products use highly stabilized ingredients that last longer and degrade slower. The active ingredients are more potent, and have enhanced delivery into deeper areas of the skin. Mainstream retail brands often use inferior active ingredients, with too many synthetic additives, or even just trace amounts of the key ingredient! There are also legal restrictions on retail products, as they are designed for mass retail use. Because medical grade products are more potent, and more effective they are typically only sold through medical offices, or authorized retailers. 

Highly Effective:

Many medical grade products have good clinical evidence for their effectiveness. Many cosmeceutical companies have invested significant resources in clinical research to ensure that products are safe, and effective. However this is obviously brand specific, and product specific, and you should always do your homework thoroughly! Ultimately we recommend you speak with either a physician, or skincare expert before adding any new product to your skincare regimen.

Medical grade products are also no more expensive than your typical skincare products at the drugstore or make up retailer. In fact, some of the products you can find at your local drugstore are even more expensive then some of the best Medical Grade skincare items. 

For the Skincare Results:

Your skin is important. And your journey to healthier more vibrant skin starts with high quality skincare products. Skincare products form the foundation of any regimen, and goes hand in hand with good nutrition, hydration, exercise and stress free living. Together with high quality medical treatments you can achieve the skin you have always wanted. Combine a Medical Grade Skincare Regimen with other medical treatments, like Botox, Fillers, Microneedling, and Medical Grade Facials and Peels. Skincare products are an essential pillar to proper skin maintenance, but you should not expect instant results. Most skincare products and serums need to be used for 6-12 months to see an appreciable effect, and ultimately need to be used for long term skin protection and conditioning. With SkinCare we are playing the long game, not the short!

Who should use these type of products?

Everyone can! If you want age-defying skin you need to be using the right products. Many patient’s come to us after using over the counter products, which unfortunately are overpriced and not strong enough to deliver the results they want.

Types of Skincare Products:

There are many types of skincare products. Cleansers, moisturizers, rejuvenators, brighteners, anti agers, and sun defenders. There is no single “best” product. And there are few “all in one” products. In fact we suggest you should always be skeptical of anyone advertising an “all in one” solution to skin care. Why? Active ingredients require different formulations, pH levels, oil/water bases, and packaging formats to maintain a high degree of stability and effectiveness. That is why you will often need to incorporate multiple different products to achieve the results you desire.

Cleansers: 

Cleansers form the backbone of any skincare regimen. You have to clean the dirt, oil, and debris from your face on a daily basis. There are multiple types of cleansers, some designed for oily skin, others for dry, and others for combination based skin. We recommend a gentle cleanser for the face used twice daily to ensure for maximum effectiveness. Dirty, unclean skin leads to acne, hyperpigmentation, loss of glow and radiance, and can contribute to general poor skin health.

Moisturizers:

Keeping your skin hydrated with medical grade moisturizers is key to preventing dehydrated skin, and preventing general skin dryness. Even if you don’t have dry skin you still need to moisturize. After cleansing and washing your skin the healthy oils will be washed away. This leaves your skin exposed to environmental stressors. Moisturizers help to replace special molecules like NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factor), ceramides, fatty acids, and other essential components to the skin barrier. Moisturize throughout the day as needed with high quality products. For the areas around your eyes we recommend a special dedicated eye cream as the skin is thinner, and more prone to environmental stressors. 

Exfoliators:

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead and dull skin cells. Your skin will naturally exfoliate itself, but this process is far too slow. Using an exfoliating cream, serum, or wash will help to speed up this process and remove the very top layers of dead skin. This exposes the fresh and healthy skin below, helping it breathe, and unclogging pores. Exfoliating can help reduce blackheads, treats fine lines and wrinkles, detoxifies the skin, reduces excess oil production, improves skin tone, and softens the skin texture. You may also find your skin will become brighter with more glow over time. We recommend you start with at home exfoliation 1-3 times per week.

Sunscreen:

Sunscreen is not only important to reduce the risk of skin cancer, but also to stop aging of the skin. Sun exposure leads to hyperpigmentation, dehydration, and loss of elasticity. Ultraviolet radiation breaks down and damages the skin barrier, inducing the aging process. Even in a cold climate like Canada it is essential to be using sunscreen to your face everyday, as the suns rays bounce off of bright white surface, pavement, and even pass through closed windows. Sunscreen usage can help prevent fine lines, hyper pigmented spots, and general loss of skin tone and texture. 

Retinol:

Retinol, which is topical Vitamin A, can help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, stimulate collagen production, and treat acne. You may find enhanced skin tone, texture, and resiliency with retinol usage. Retinol should not be used if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or planning to become pregnant! If you are using retinol you must use sunscreen as your skin will be more “sensitive” to the sun’s UV rays.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant for younger, brighter skin. There are many brands with Vitamin C based serums, and most do work similarly. Vitamin C can help stimulate collagen, repairs free radical damage, and can help protect against future skin damage. The results are brighter, firmer skin, with reduced fine lines and wrinkles, and a brighter more even tone. Vitamin C is great for everyone to include in their skin care regimen, and should be used daily. Topical Vitamin C is more potent for skin repair than oral Vitamin C, so only a few drops daily are needed!

Growth Factors:

Growth factors and peptides are highly effective at reducing skin aging, fighting fine lines and wrinkles, and boosting the skins tone and texture. Growth factors are messenger proteins that are inherent to the body and play a critical role in maintaining skin health. 

Hyaluronic Acid:

As we age our body loses hyaluronic acid, a powerful molecule that helps to retain moisture. By using topical hyaluronic acid we can restore the look and fell of the skin, diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, softening the skin, and maintaining a strong skin barrier. Hyaluronic acid products can help maintain hydration throughout the day. By retaining moisture the skin is more resilient to aging, and maintains a radiant, and rejuvenated tone and texture. Hyaluronic acid is an essential component to proper skincare. 

Brightening Serums: 

Brightening and pigment correcting serums are advanced formulations designed to treat stubborn skin discoloration. With several weeks to months of treat you may notice a reduction in stubborn discoloration, and more balanced skin tone. These products are best used in combination with medical grade treatments like peels, and facials for maximum results.

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