The Secret Science of Medical Grade Facials with Cosmedica

At Cosmedica, located in Victoria, British Columbia, we want your skin to shine and be healthy. You can achieve this with medical grade facials. 

But what are they, and what sets them apart from spa facials? 

In this article, we'll talk about frequently asked questions from inquiring patients: What are medical grade facials? How do they make your skin better? And is there proof they really do the job? 

Let’s dive in. 

What are Medical Grade Facials?

Medical grade facials, or medical-grade facials, are specialized facial treatments conducted under medical supervision by trained medical aestheticians. Medical grade facials differ from regular spa facials by the devices used. 

In addition, medical grade facials utilize pharmaceutical-grade skin products and advanced techniques, which allows them to target specific skin conditions.  

At Cosmedica, we use a personalized approach to skincare to assess and suit your pressing skin needs. 

What are the Active Ingredients in Medical Grade Facials?

(Active Ingredients in Medical-Grade Facials)

Medical grade facials can consist of the following: 

• Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA): AHAs are a group of water-soluble acids that loosen and remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. They are often derived from natural sources, such as glycolic acid (from sugar cane) or lactic acid (from milk). AHAs are known for their ability to improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and enhance skin radiance. They are generally suitable for most skin types, particularly dry and sun-damaged skin. 

• Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA): BHAs are a group of oil-soluble acids, on the other hand. A good example is Salicylic Acid, which helps clear blemishes and prevent future breakouts. This group is well known for managing acne. 

• Hyaluronic Acid (HA): Hyaluronic Acid is a natural sugar molecule that helps retain water in our skin. If you ever heard from social media that you should apply hyaluronic acid serum when the skin is damp, that's true. HA binds to water molecules and keeps your skin looking hydrated and plump. 

• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is integral to any skincare routine; everyone should have this! Vitamin C is highly researched, and countless in-vivo & clinical tests have shown its efficacy in preventing sun damage, which can lead to skin cancer. Vitamin C also brightens your skin and helps to improve your skin's environmental protection. 

Remember, these are purely for informational purposes. Always consult an expert before using any of these active ingredients. 

Not to worry. During your consultation, our clinicians will assess you and provide the best options suited for you. 

Medical Grade Facials Available at Cosmedica

At Cosmedica, the most common concerns that can be resolved with medical grade facials are textural problems caused by acne, acne scarring, and overactive sebaceous glands (common for those who are oily & blemish-prone). Clinical studies have shown that over 90% of the population worldwide is affected by blemishes at some point in their lives.

The most important determining factor for us is to consider the patient's concern.

At Cosmedica, our approach is to view medical grade facials as a treatment plan rather than a single treatment. This is because we take a 360-degree approach to your skincare as our utmost priority.

• Medical Grade Facial Combination

This combination facial treatment is a combination of microneedling and Bela MD, so you get the best of both worlds.

Microneedling helps with the skin's structural integrity by building collagen and elastin. This targets the skin’s texture and overall skin health. This can be done via DP4 microneedling or Morpheus8.

Bela MD is our hydrafacial option, which helps to relax and rehydrate the skin before or after a microneedling session. This helps clean off sebum and bacteria sitting on the skin before a microneedling treatment and lifts any dead skin cells post-microneedling. Its boosters are medical-grade, making this option more results-driven.

• Clinical Peel

Clinical peels, also known as chemical peels, involve the application of a chemical solution to the skin, which causes controlled exfoliation and encourages skin regeneration.

This process starts with manually cleansing your skin to remove dirt and impurities. Most clinical peels are mild and have no downtime with no significant peeling; at most, some mild flushing and dryness may occur for a few days following treatment.

This peel leaves your skin feeling radiant, even and more youthful.

• SkinVive

A recent addition, SkinVive, is an injectable that uses microdroplets of hyaluronic acid. Done by one of our skilled nurses, this treatment helps to rehydrate the skin and lessen wrinkles due to summer’s impact. It also volumizes the skin, making your skin feel smoother and more refreshed.

Step up your facials with these alternatives:

• Clear + Brilliant

Although not a textbook facial, this Clear + Brilliant laser system was developed to provide a gentle yet powerful and precise treatment for the first signs of aging. It helps with brown spots, pores, skin texture and tone, and sun damage. This treatment is also cost-effective.

• Laser Genesis

Laser Genesis combines laser technology to achieve similar effects. By stimulating the body to generate new collagen, Laser Genesis strengthens the skin and reduces unwanted redness and wrinkles without downtime or irritation for a vibrant, even complexion in just a few short treatments. It helps with facial vessels, pores, red spots, rosacea and scars.

Give Your Skin the Care it Deserves – Contact Us at Cosmedica Now

Whether you’re ready to get started with your medical grade facials or you have more questions, you can book a consultation with us today.

Our experts have an extra tip for you:

“The most important to note with these treatments is to avoid touching your face and using makeup brushes and sponges that are not clean to avoid unnecessary bacteria. Also, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!” 

Book your consultation with us to find out what works best for you.