Cosmetic skin care products are over-the-counter products you can easily buy in drugstores for skin care and treatment.
As we age, the skin's collagen production decreases, causing the skin to lose its elasticity. Coupled with other factors like hormones, pollution, sun exposure and poor diet, this can lead to the development of skin irregularities, dark spots, sun damage and wrinkles. Consistent skin care is necessary to treat these skin problems. However, there are cases when skin care products are not enough to treat the skin and help reverse the signs of aging. Consider seeking the advice of a skin care specialist if the symptoms do not go away after spending time and money on skin care products.
There are alternatives to over-the-counter medicines and topical agents to help bring back a youthful glow and erase skin problems caused by aging or other factors. Discussing your options can be helpful in treating your skin and saving money from unnecessary purchases of OTC products. There are numerous invasive and non-invasive dermatological procedures to choose from, depending on individual skin conditions and personal comfort level. Here are some of the most common treatments:
Botolinium Toxin
Botolinium Toxin, more commonly known as Botox treatment, is an alternative solution to topical agents and cosmetic products in reversing the signs of aging and treating similar skin problems. This is a popular non-surgical procedure to help erase facial dynamic lines and wrinkles. The procedure involves injection of Botox on the dermis, and works by paralyzing key muscles in the face. Once injected, Botox blocks the nerve impulses, preventing the muscles from forming frown lines or wrinkles. The results can be visible after a few days and can generally last up to four months. (Read more here.)
Dermal Fillers
Dermatological fillers are wrinkle-filling products designed to re-plump the skin back to its natural and younger looking condition. A nonsurgical procedure, dermal fillers are meant to replace lost collagen from the skin. There are many dermal filler products available, some made of porcine collagen or hyaluronic acid. Both are natural substances that when injected in the skin, hold collagen and elastin together. The most common dermatological filler products are Juvederm and Restylane. (Read more here.)
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel treatment utilizes different kinds of chemical solutions to treat and improve the texture and overall appearance of the facial skin. It works by peeling off the top layer of the skin which has been damaged by different factors like sun exposure or other problems like acne, skin discoloration and wrinkles. The chemical solution is usually acid based, which causes the dead skin cells to slough off, resulting in a softer and smoother regenerated skin. It is a nonsurgical and noninvasive dermatological procedure that can work with most skin conditions. (Read more here.)
Laser Treatments
Lasers have revolutionized skin treatment and rejuvenation in dermatology. They utilize light energy to help treat skin problems like acne and dark spots, and help reduce wrinkles and facial lines. Laser treatments have minimum to zero downtime. (Read more here.)
These are solutions that can be used as alternatives for cosmetic skin care products. However, like any dermatological procedure, these have different risks of side effects, so it's best to check with a specialist to see whether the benefits outweigh the risks.
