Therapeutic cosmetics are separate from any other care products and have features that you should know before you start using it. In our material we put all the dots over i in this question.
Any cosmetics requires careful selection taking into account the characteristics and needs of the skin, and this is especially true of medical cosmetics. Together with Victoria Sagalevich, a cosmetologist, dermatologist, we will understand the features of medical cosmetics and who needs it and why.
Why do you need medical cosmetics?
Quite often dermatologists prescribe a course of medical cosmetics to the patient, offering several options for home care. Usually such drugs are prescribed for the following diseases: acne, seborrhea, rosacea (pink acne), increased sebaceous glands, hyperkeratosis, severe hyperpigmentation – in these cases, medical cosmetics come to the rescue.
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Most original medical cosmetics are sold in pharmacies. There are lines of European manufacturers (among which the best are French), domestic and Korean and Thai. Among the most famous: La Roche-Posay, Uriage, Bioderma, Home-peel, CeraVe, Vichy and others. These brands have specialized cosmetics not only for the face and body, but also for hair and scalp.
What nuances are important to consider?
Therapeutic cosmetics brands have a whole series that are suitable for certain skin types: normal, combination, with increased sebaceous glands, rosacea or seborrhea. Usually, patients are assigned a whole line. As a rule, the specialist paints, what means and for what is necessary.
An important point that should not be missed: you should never self-medicate and choose medical cosmetics based on reviews and recommendations. Such products should be selected by a specialist who is familiar with the characteristics of your skin and will be able to correctly diagnose and prescribe home care that will be most effective in your case.
It should be understood that medical cosmetics often solve dermatological and medical problems, rather than aesthetic ones. Of course, professional cosmetics aimed at anti-aging contain components such as peptides or retinol, which correct age-related changes; contain components that reduce wrinkles; increase turgor of skin tone and elasticity, help to level pigmentation; have a good sunscreen and non-comedogenic action. Therapeutic cosmetics are often not aimed at age-related problems such as wrinkles or decreased skin tone.
How to choose medical cosmetics for a particular skin problem?
Rosacea and rosacea
For cosmetics that treat rosacea and rosacea, it is important that it is hypoallergenic and that it does not contain fragrances and strong preservatives. The tool should strengthen the walls of blood vessels, relieve inflammation, smooth the epidermis, prevent hyperkeratosis, promote the natural production of emollients.
Most often, such cosmetics include the following components: lipid complex, azelaic acid, polyphenols, green tea, vitamin E – they all work to prevent rosacea. If the disease is joined by an infection, it is very important that the cosmetics contain an antibacterial component.
Emulsions, creams and serums that treat rosacea and rosacea are often niacinamide, which reduces the activity of blood vessels. Shea butter is also an important ingredient in softening and moisturizing the skin. The presence of ultraviolet filters, which protect from the sun, ceramides that increase the moisturizing properties of the skin, as well as tonic components (antioxidants, vitamins K and P) is desirable.
Lanolin and fatty acids, which moisturize the skin, improve its barrier layer, reduce sensitivity and reduce vascularity, have proven to be a good part of medical cosmetics. Thanks to the balanced composition and the right natural ingredients, the products do not oil the skin, soothe it and moisturize it.
Acne
With acne, it is very important that the cosmetics are non-comedogenic. This means that the product will not provoke the formation of new comedones (closed or open) or blackheads. It is usually very difficult to choose a remedy that has not caused additional diseases. Patients suffering from acne are constantly struggling with it and expect that medical cosmetics will give at least minimal remission.
It is important to understand that acne is an internal disease, and a comprehensive approach to it is important. In addition to external medical cosmetics, antibiotics with anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed, because it is necessary to solve not only the work of the sebaceous glands, but also multiple inflammations that appear on the face in the form of pustules or cysts.
It is equally important that the medical cosmetics that help with acne contain at least a minimal factor of sun protection. The skin of people with acne is prone to the formation of post-inflammatory pigmentation, so sunscreens are very important to them, as well as retinoids, which narrow pores.