It is important to understand your skin type and conditions in order to improve the overall quality of our skin. For patients looking for brighter, clearer, smoother skin, understanding your own skin and the issues you may have is the very first step.

Skin typing is an umbrella term that helps to generally categorize the skin’s function on a more global scale. There are four commonly known skin types: normal/element exposed skin, oily/acne-prone skin, sensitive/redness-prone skin, and dry/mature skin. These four categories help determine what products, treatments, and services are generally the better choice to help improve or maintain overall skin quality. Following skin typing stems skin conditions.

Skin conditions provide specific details regarding the skin’s state, reactivity, and the specific issues that contribute to the skin type. For example, a patient could be an oily/acne-prone skin type, however, their skin’s condition could be in a current state of inflammation, that is sensitive to cystic acne. This proves that skin conditions have a wide range and are not limited to one skin type.

Some skin conditions include but are not limited to blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, cysts, keratosis, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, telangiectasia, spider veins, hemangiomas, hyperpigmentation, freckles, age spots or sunspots, melasma, fine lines, and wrinkles, deep lines, acne scarring, hypertrophic scarring, keloid scarring, and the list can continue… These are the most common skin conditions that are experienced by more than 50% of the population and are usually not properly understood, treated, or eliminated.

The best way to determine your skin type and conditions are to see how your skin reacts to outdoor elements (i.e. the sun), how it reacts to touch, and how it reacts to products. For example, a sensitive skin type that has stage II rosacea will be extremely sensitive to the sun, will be typically red at a resting point or when touched, and will be reactive to active ingredients in skincare products. This type of patient will have to maintain a strict skincare routine that helps to nourish the skin gently without too many actives, provide enough moisture without creating too much oil production, and will require protection every day.

 

It is for this reason that choosing your own at-home skin care routine is so important. Choosing beneficial products for your skin type and conditions will allow your skin quality to improve and glow, even when you are unable to come in for your monthly or bi-monthly treatment. The quality of products will vary depending on the location in which you purchase these products. Purchasing skincare products from your local drug store or larger department stores must maintain an average and tolerable level of active ingredients in their products to avoid potential side effects that could legally compromise their product distribution rights.

On the other side, Medispas, Medical Clinics and Plastic Surgery Clinics all require a Medical Directive signature on all products being distributed and sold within their facility. Therefore, the active ingredients and strength of their products are much more potent due to the Physician’s supervision of these products. It is these products that are able to make a physical change and difference on the surface of the skin to help maintain skin quality between treatments or to help treat and control skin condition(s).

Here at Youth Medispa, we provide a variety of skin care products and utilize two highly qualified skin care lines that are designed to tackle and improve all skin types and conditions. When looking into purchasing medical-grade skin care products, a skin consultation is typically required to determine which products are best for your skin, the order in which is these products are used, as well as their frequency. It is almost like going to the doctor’s office for your prescription; once the prescription is done and your concern is treated, the next step is to reassess and maintain your improved skin or treat the next skin condition or concern! Take a look at the products on your shelf today and really assess whether these products are suitable for your skin. It may be time for you to do your homework on your skin and what it needs!