Have you ever wondered why some seemingly innocuous beauty products are available by prescription only? No, it isn’t because the pharmaceutical companies want to make the profits because, technically, they would anyway! Since they are the ones that would hold the patent on the products, that’s where the profits would go. Actually, the reason is that sometimes there are side effects that need to be monitored. Sometimes these side effects are extremely rare and other times more common, but not harsh enough to take certain products off the market. If you are interested in any of the following three top prescription-only beauty products, here’s some of what you need to know.
1. Retin-A
Retin-A has become the most popular anti-aging beauty product on the market. It works by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin and has been proven to be remarkably effective. There is now a generic prescription called Tretinoin which is also available by prescription. Since we lose approximately 1% of our collagen stores per year from the age of 30, this is one amazing pharmaceutical. The reason you require a prescription for Retin-A is that doctors like to start you at low doses. This cream may cause redness, itching, burning, and/or peeling skin. It often goes away after a few treatments, but in the off chance it doesn’t, your doctor will want to monitor you. Retin-A is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.
2. Latisse
Next on the list of popular prescription-only beauty products is Latisse which is commonly prescribed by the doctors at Salas Plastic Surgery Miami. This particular product is formulated to promote the growth of eyelashes. There is a huge amount of clinical evidence to support the fact that this medication promotes longer, darker, and thicker lashes. Also, it is one of the safest beauty prescriptions on the market in that side effects are extremely rare. Of those, the only ones that have been evidenced are a reduction in the fat pads around the eyes and sometimes hyperpigmentation in the skin around the eyes. However, as mentioned, these side effects are extremely rare, which is why your doctor may want to see you once or twice a year to monitor your progress.
3. Hydroquinone
This particular medication is used to reduce the discoloration attributed to scarring, sunspots, and yes, aging. It works by inhibiting hyperpigmentation so that the spots will gradually lighten while new spots may not occur. While there are OTC products containing a 2% hydroquinone solution, you will need a prescription for the highly effective 4% solution. Side effects, if any, are typically mild and they include such things as redness, itching, and perhaps dry skin.
These are the three most commonly prescribed beauty products and each is said to have a few side effects. If you want the best results, it is advisable to follow your doctor’s directions exactly and report any suspected side effects immediately. As always, it is advisable only to use prescription medications prescribed to you by your own doctor. Do not use creams or prescription solutions prescribed to a friend because they need to be monitored by a licensed physician.