Over the past 20 years, Medical Aesthetic services have grown in popularity to the point where it is now a regular occurrence to see procedures trending online, word of mouth, and in mainstream media.
Medical Aesthetics can be very confusing, however, to know exactly what types of treatments available and which ones are could be right for you. The decision to explore a medical aesthetic treatment can start with a few simple questions. For example: “I go for a facial every month…so why does my skin look so tired and dull?” or “I just spent $200 on the latest and greatest face cream at Sephora…so why do I still have wrinkles?” Or perhaps you have a persistent skin issue that keeps on getting worse no matter what you try. If you can relate to any of these situations and are committed to improving your skin, you may want to consider medical aesthetic services.
Medical Aesthetics services should always be under the supervision of a medical doctor. These advanced treatments can improve specific skin conditions or signs of aging, and often involve the use of injectables, lasers, or other energy-based devices. The results tend to be more dramatic and longer-lasting than those obtained by treatments that are more focused on relaxation or pampering.
Medical Aesthetic services can be found in doctors’ offices, medi spas, plastic surgery clinics, and dermatology practices. The treatments are performed by medical aestheticians, doctors, or nurses who have been specifically trained on various technologies.
There are many different types of medical aesthetic services available including:
Injectable Treatments
Botox® Cosmetic – used to soften wrinkles such as frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet.
Dermal Fillers – injectable gels that restore volume and enhance facial features such as cheeks and lips (i.e. Juvederm).
Platelet-Rich-Plasma (Autologous conditioned plasma) – derived from a patient’s blood sample and used to naturally increase collagen and refine skin texture, and used for hair restoration.
Laser and Light Treatments
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – helps reduce sun damage (brown spots) and skin redness/rosacea, and broken facial capillaries.
Skin Resurfacing – improves multiple skin concerns including pigmentation, uneven texture, and scarring.
Laser Hair Removal – permanently reduces unwanted hair on the face or body.
Non-Laser Skin Treatments
Microneedling – a safe and effective form of collagen induction therapy through the use of tiny sterile needles, and can be combined with Autologous conditioned plasma (“Vampire Facial”).
You can learn even more about the benefits of microneedling on our blog.
Hydrafacial® – an invigorating facial treatment that combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration for instant skin improvement. Great for all ages and skin types.
Chemical Peels – exfoliating treatments that reduce signs of aging and restore skin’s radiance.
Skin Tightening – uses radio-frequency energy to stimulate collagen and firm the skin on the face or body.
Body Contouring Treatments
EMSCULPT® – uses electromagnetic energy to stimulate intense muscle contraction. Builds muscle in the abdomen and buttocks in as few as four treatments.
Vanquish Me™ – uses radio-frequency technology to permanently reduce excess fat in the abdomen.
Exilis Ultra™ – uses radio-frequency technology to reduce stubborn areas of fat and tighten the skin.
Medical Grade Skincare
Utilizes prescription-strength ingredients to treat a variety of skin conditions, delivering noticeable results, and often used in conjunction with in-clinic treatments to maximize results. Typically, only available through a physician.
Medical Grade Skincare has little to no “downtime” associated with most medical aesthetic services, which makes them extremely appealing. Downtime is the period of recovery after a particular treatment where treated skin may be temporarily red, swollen, or bruised, which can impact social activities. As lives become busier and time more precious, it’s expected the industry will continue to evolve with the development of even more efficient and highly effective treatments.
Read More: The Importance of Medical Grade Skincare
Because there are so many treatments available, and everyone’s skin is unique, it can be extremely difficult to know what exactly your best options are. A great first step is to visit a reputable clinic for a consultation and skin analysis. This service is often complimentary and allows you to educate yourself and discuss your aesthetic goals with a skincare professional. You will also learn about any risks or downtime that may be associated with a particular treatment. After your consultation, your clinician will then develop a customized treatment plan for you that works with your lifestyle and will deliver the results you are looking for. This may include one of the treatments discussed above, or perhaps a combination of several treatments over time.
Whether you’re planning a life-changing surgical transformation, simple mole removal, or a quick aesthetic touch-up, GraceMed is pleased to offer multiple clinic locations to meet your needs in the GTA. GraceMed has medi spa services in Oakville, Burlington, and North York