Medical-grade skincare is becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. As the largest organ in your body, your long-term skin health is important, and pharmaceutical skin care products could be the difference between good results and game-changing results.
From Obagi Medical to ZO Skin Health, we’re shining a light on the Dermatologist-made skincare that’s giving far better results than other products on the high street. We’ll cover what it is, why you need a consultation and prescription to get it, and why we believe it’s superior to other skincare products.
At Face Dr, we offer professional skincare advice online from our Skin Experts, so whatever questions you have about medical-grade skincare, we can help.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What is medical-grade skincare?
- What are the pros and cons of using medical-grade skincare?
- What is ZO Skin Health?
- What is Obagi Medical?
- Why do I need a prescription for some products and not others?
- Why do I need a consultation first, and what does this involve?
- Is medical-grade skincare really the best?
- Summary: Should I try medical-grade skincare?
What is medical-grade skincare?
Medical grade skincare is the name for a group of products that are formulated with clinically proven ingredients and developed under strict quality standards. Unlike over-the-counter products or products you can buy in high street stores, medical-grade skincare is recommended based on your individual needs and must be prescribed by a medical professional like a Dermatologist or Doctor. The claims, results and efficacy of Medical-grade products are backed up by scientific research.
The difference between them is simple: Medical grade products have formulations that contain higher concentrations of active ingredients in order to sufficiently address specific skin concerns, whereas non-medical skincare uses more standard ingredients that are widely available, and may not provide the same results. This is, at least in part, because anyone can buy a product off the shelf in the high street, there is no gatekeeper. Therefore it has to be suitable for a wider range of skin types; meaning less active ingredients and therefore less likely to cause anticipated reactions.
What are the pros and cons of using medical-grade skincare?
Different types of skincare suit different skin types and lifestyles, so you may be wondering if medical-grade skincare could provide what you are looking for. Here are a few of the pros and cons associated with medical-grade skincare.
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Pros |
Cons |
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It offers results-driven products addressing specific skin concerns (see the before and after images at the bottom) |
Sometimes the cost is higher than over-the-counter alternatives due to the ingredients being a higher quality. |
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It contains higher concentrations of active ingredients, which means it is usually more effective. |
Some people may experience expected reactions within the skin, which show the product is working but may require additional support and advice from a professional. |
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It’s backed by scientific research. |
Everyone requires a consultation with a professional and a prescription from them in order to access medical-grade skincare, which can make the process of obtaining products slightly longer. |
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It comes recommended by healthcare professionals due to its reliability |
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It can be really helpful for those with complex skin issues |
What is ZO Skin Health?
ZO Skin Health is a brand our Skin Experts regularly recommend to clients for its amazing results. Created by Dr Zein Obagi, this medical-grade brand has provided highly effective formulations for many years using some of the very best active ingredients available on the market. The result is skincare that can tackle even the toughest skin concerns, from hyperpigmentation to acne to sensitivity.
To learn more about their philosophy, you can read our article: What is ZO Skin Health's "Getting Skin Ready" or GSR?
ZO Skin Health is known as the top medical skincare brand in Europe, and at Face Dr, we are authorised UK stockists. They have a full range of products that can help with everything you need, such as: correcting sun damage, fading pigmentation, protecting against future environmental damage, addressing ageing skin, Acne Vulgaris, Rosacea and much more.
If you like the sound of ZO Skin Health, you can book a free video consultation with one of our Skin Experts.
What is Obagi Medical?
The Obagi range is another award-winning 35-year-old brand that we regularly recommend to our clients due to its incredible results. Our Skin Experts tend to offer clients products from the Obagi Medical range as it contains higher concentrations of active ingredients in science-backed formulations that can effectively treat many different skin issues.
“Just 3 weeks of using the Obagi system and already my skin tone has improved significantly.”
– Helen W, Face Dr Client
Obagi has products that can help with all major skin concerns, such as fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and dark spots, acne-prone skin, and more.
If Obagi Medical products sound like they’re for you, you can book a free video consultation with one of our Skin Experts. Or, if you want to learn more about ZO Skin Health and Obagi Medical, read our article: ZO Skin Health vs. Obagi; what's the difference?
Why do I need a prescription for some products and not others?
As mentioned, medical-grade skincare products are often made using much higher concentrations of active ingredients – excellent for producing great skin results, but this does mean they require a prescription. This is purely a safety precaution to avoid side effects like irritation and allergies, so you can be advised on exactly the right concentration of product for you and how to use it in order to achieve the results you want.
Whether or not a product needs a prescription depends on the strength of that product, and the potential side effects its ingredients can cause. Also, some people have skin conditions such as eczema or other medical issues and will require a medical professional to advise on what ingredients they should avoid.
Ingredients such as retinoids, hydroquinone, and tretinoin are extremely potent and can cause adverse reactions if not used as intended.
Remember, if you happen to find a medical-grade skincare product for sale online with no prescription needed, it is most likely a counterfeit or out-of-date product, and won’t get you the same results as the real thing.
Why do I need a consultation first, and what does this involve?
As above, before a prescription can be given you must first have a consultation to discuss your skin needs and goals. One study on the public's perception of skin health in Korea found that the largest percentage of participants (41.55%) believed the most reliable source of information on skincare product recommendations was a Dermatologist, which shows that most people trust the advice of a professional over anyone else.
We believe skincare should be tailored to the needs of the individual to ensure safety and results, so our Skin Experts will assess any skin conditions you have, talk about any medical history you think is relevant to your skin, and discuss lifestyle factors that might contribute to the issues you are experiencing.
A personalised approach like this can help to determine the best medical-grade skincare products for you so you get real results, as well as saving you money on buying lots of skincare products that aren’t right for you.
Is medical-grade skincare really the best?
Medical grade skincare is generally considered superior to regular skincare products found on the high street or online, and this is due to the higher concentrations of clinically proven active ingredients, as well as the consultation element that can ensure you are using your products in the best way for your skin.
This is not to say that regular skin care cannot be beneficial, as many people rely on this without issue every day. However, while regular skincare can offer general skin maintenance, medical-grade options tend to deliver more noticeable, immediate, and long-lasting results. In other words, they can address the underlying cause of your skin issues rather than providing a temporary fix.
Our Skin Experts regularly recommend medical-grade skincare to our clients, and as you can see, it offers fantastic results!
Summary: Should I try medical-grade skincare?
Deciding on the best skincare products to use can be a confusing process, but we can help make the choice simple. We would always recommend booking a free consultation with one of our Skin Experts so they can recommend a prescription product based on your specific skin needs.
During your consultation, we aim to give you all the information you need to see lasting results for your skin. If you are unsure about whether to try medical-grade skincare or not, this can be a great way to discuss the pros and cons and find the best combination of products to bring out your very best skin.
For those seeking advanced and effective skincare solutions to tackle some of the most stubborn skin concerns, medical-grade skincare can be a great choice.
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If you have any questions about using Face Dr as your at-home skin clinic, you can book a free video call with one of our Skin Experts to discuss your needs and get recommendations of the best products to help you achieve your skincare goals. Book a consultation with your Skin Expert here:
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