While a lot of people spend an incredible amount of money on treatments, there are inexpensive things you can do at home that work just as well if not better than in-clinic treatments.
If you are looking to do things from home, use this blog as your list and guide to the best, affordable treatments. As a medical esthetician, Cassandra feels it’s very important she shares this. There are some estheticians, med spas, or even professionals who try to get patients or clients to rebook them regularly, not because it’s the best thing for that person and their skin but because it’s profitable.
However, Cassandra wants to help others get to a point where they understand their skin. Every day, we hear about celebrities’ expensive treatments as if going in-clinic is necessary, but what is worth truly worth going into a clinic, and what we can do at home?
I’m not able to see a dermatologist for multiple visits. To get a refill on my prescription, I have to go back to the doctor's office, and I can’t. What are my options?
Before we get into it, you’ll need to get a diagnosis for best results. Something might appear to be acne, but it could really be papulopustular rosacea. You’ll need to see a dermatologist at least once to get a diagnosis so you can choose the best at-home treatments for your products that actually help and don’t harm you more.
Fortunately, even if you can’t go in and physically see a dermatologist or do telehealth multiple times, you can connect with a dermatologist through custom-skincare companies like Dermatica. With Dermatica, dermatologists can make suggestions, help you customize your skincare, and offer potent skincare like tretinoin. Before opting in for tretinoin though, you might want to see a derm at least once, just to be sure tretinoin isn’t too much for your skin. Perhaps you might need something gentler like adapalene.
Dermatica has adapalene too. Adapalene is a more gentle retinoid, and it’s not as irritating as tretinoin. Retinoids really help with acne, fine lines, wrinkles, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. The adapalene product Cassandra received from Dermatica includes niacinamide and clindamycin as well. So, the formula is antibacterial, and the niacinamide also brightens pigmentation. Everyone’s formula will be different, and that is why it’s so important to get a diagnosis. So, you can get a custom blend tailored to your skin concerns. Cassandra has been using Dermatica for 1.5 years, and it really works for her skin.
Dermatica is a subscription service. It’s $20 - $25 every month, and when you subscribe, they send you your blend every month.
For your first month free and 10% off your second month, USE CODE: Cassandra
If you’re looking for something as good as a prescription without going into the doctor’s office, Dermatica is a good option.
Why are LED facials so expensive? Is there something I can do at home?
SolaWave 4-in-1 Facial Wand - $147.95
LED lights are phenomenal for skin healing. The red light is anti-inflammatory, and it helps with wound healing and collagen stimulation. But, if you go into a med spa or an aesthetic clinic, they will be very expensive. You can put this on pimples because the red light has 650 to 700 nanometers. This light frequency will help promote wound healing meaning it actually has the potency needed to create real results, unlike many other LED products and masks.
So, if you’re looking for LED benefits, you don’t necessarily have to spend hundreds of dollars for multiple in-clinic treatments. If you were to spend $147 once on the Sola-wave wand, you could use the Solawave every day for a year, and then, maximize how far your dollar is going because you’re getting more treatments out of it.
How much do chemical peels cost, and how often should I get them?
The average chemical peel costs about $500, but they can be as low as $150. Some chemical peels can be done once a month, once every 1-4 months, or even once a year. It depends on the peel's strength as well as your skin type. You should never do a chemical peel at home. However, there things like a chemical peel that you can do at home. We’re going to list a few that are as close as you can get without getting a prescription.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution -$8
You can use this all over your body to help with body acne. AHAs and BHAs are the same acids used within in-clinic chemical peels. They’re just at a lower concentration for OTC. Cassandra loves this one, but it may not be the best for sensitive skin. When you do a chemical peel in-office, the skin actually peels off. While this product is not going to do that, you’ll still get the benefits of renewed skin and exfoliation. The Ordinary Peeling Solution helps with scarring, potentially lifting surface-level hyperpigmentation. AHAs also hold onto water and can help plump up the skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. Be careful though because this can burn the skin, and always patch test.
Bubble Skincare Deep Dive AHA + PHA Exfoliating Mask -$18
This one isn’t as intense. This is a hydrating pore mask that includes many of the same active ingredients as The Ordinary’s chemical peel. This mask is better for dry, sensitive skin whereas the one from The Ordinary is more for oily, acne-prone skin. Bubble’s exfoliating AHA masks pull water into the skin and help hold onto it. On the other hand, polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) have large sugar molecules that sit on top of the skin and slowly dissolve and hydrate the skin. The mask also has raspberry, turmeric, and pineapple which can have brightening benefits. They have vitamin C and antioxidant benefits. Cassandra has been enjoying this, but at the same time, Cassandra’s skin is very tolerant. You can use this one more often than The Ordinary. And overall, you should only be exfoliating 2-3 times a week.
Community Sixty-Six Hydrating Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer - $25
If you want something you can use every day to help your skin cells renew. The moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and lactic acid. So, the moisturizer includes hydrating and exfoliating acids. Hyaluronic acid sucks in moisture, holds onto moisture, and retains it in the skin.
These are all great products that can substitute for going in-clinic, but remember that prescriptions will get you the furthest. Also, note that you should not be mixing retinoids and exfoliants together, especially retinoids from Dermatica. The brand specifically says, “do not use with other acids.” Make sure you’re using acids and retinoids at separate times and routines during the day.
Additionally, always use sunscreen because this is the most important step of your skincare routine.
Coverphoto cred: videohive