Key Takeaways:
- A medical-grade skincare consultation starts with a clinical assessment of your skin, not a menu of products to choose from.
- Highland Park Aesthetics carries multiple medical-grade brands, including SkinBetter Science, Epicutis, Alastin, SkinMedica, and others, and selects products based on your specific skin concerns.
- A good routine typically addresses cleansing, active treatment (such as a retinoid or exfoliant), hydration, and sun protection, layered based on your skin's tolerance.
- Skincare plans are often paired with in-office treatments, such as microneedling or chemical peels, for a more complete approach.
- Building a routine that "actually works" usually means starting simpler and adjusting over time, not starting with every product at once.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results vary, and any skincare or treatment recommendation should be made by a licensed provider following an individual assessment.
Plano patients often arrive at Highland Park Aesthetics with a bathroom counter full of products and still aren't seeing the results they want. That's usually not a motivation problem. It's a mismatch between the products being used and what the skin actually needs. A medical-grade skincare consultation is designed to close that gap, starting with an assessment rather than a shopping list.
It Starts With an Assessment, Not a Product List
A licensed provider evaluates your skin type, current concerns (such as texture, tone, breakouts, or early signs of aging), and how your skin has responded to products you've already tried. This step matters because two people with similar-looking skin concerns can need very different routines depending on sensitivity, prior product use, and underlying skin type.
This is also where "medical-grade" becomes a meaningful distinction rather than a marketing term. Medical-grade skincare lines are formulated with higher concentrations of active ingredients and are typically sold through licensed providers because appropriate use, and knowing when a formulation is too aggressive for a given skin type, benefits from clinical guidance.
What a Custom Routine Usually Includes
Most effective routines are built around a few core categories, layered based on what your skin can tolerate:
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Category
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Purpose
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Example Product
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Cleanser
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Removes buildup without disrupting the skin barrier
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AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
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Active treatment
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Addresses specific concerns like texture, tone, or fine lines
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Alpharet Overnight Cream
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Antioxidant/defense
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Supports the skin against daily environmental exposure
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Alto Defense Serum
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Hydration
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Maintains barrier function, especially alongside active ingredients
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Ampra Volumizing Macro HA Serum
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Sun protection
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Protects results and prevents further damage
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Discussed individually at consultation
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The right combination, and the order in which products are introduced, is determined at consultation rather than applied as a one-size-fits-all routine.
Why Highland Park Aesthetics Carries Multiple Brands
Rather than building a routine from a single product line, Highland Park Aesthetics offers products from several medical-grade brands, including SkinBetter Science, Epicutis, Alastin, SkinMedica, Pure Encapsulations, and VI Derm. Carrying multiple lines allows a provider to select the specific formulation that fits a patient's skin, rather than fitting a patient into whatever a single brand happens to offer.
How a Skincare Plan Fits With In-Office Treatment
For many patients, a skincare consultation isn't a standalone service. It's often paired with in-office treatments such as microneedling and collagen therapies or a broader skin rejuvenation plan, since at-home products and in-clinic treatments support each other. A well-matched routine also helps maintain results between in-office visits and supports skin recovery after treatments like chemical peels or microneedling.
Building a Routine That Actually Works: Start Simple
One of the most common mistakes is introducing too many active products at once, which can irritate the skin and make it hard to tell what's working. A more sustainable approach usually looks like this:
- Start with a small number of core products (cleanser, an active treatment such as a retinol, an antioxidant serum, and daily SPF).
- Give the skin several weeks to adjust before introducing anything new.
- Reassess at a follow-up consultation, since skin needs can shift with seasons, hormonal changes, or in-office treatment schedules.
- Adjust gradually rather than overhauling the entire routine at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a medical-grade skincare consultation different from a department store consultation?
A medical-grade consultation is conducted by a licensed provider who evaluates your skin clinically and has access to higher-concentration, provider-dispensed formulations rather than a fixed retail lineup.
Do I need an in-office treatment to get a skincare consultation?
No. A skincare consultation can stand on its own, and many patients choose to combine it with in-office treatments for a more complete plan. Consultations are also complimentary, so there's no cost barrier to starting with one on its own.
How often should I update my skincare routine?
This varies by patient, but a general guideline is to reassess every few months or whenever your skin's needs change, such as with the seasons or after starting a new in-office treatment.
Will you tell me which products are the "best"?
Recommendations are based on fit for your specific skin, not a ranking of best to worst. What works well for one patient's skin type may not be the right choice for another's.
Can I bring my current products to the consultation?
Yes. It's helpful for your provider to see what you're currently using so the plan can be built around what's already working and adjusted where it isn't.
Ready to Build a Routine That Works for Your Skin?
A skincare routine only works if it's actually matched to your skin, which is why every plan at Highland Park Aesthetics starts with a real assessment. Our clinical team, led by Megan Cheatham, FNP, alongside Shelby Whitfield, RN, Halie Turner, RN, Nicki Hatcher, RN, and Kaitlyn Layman, NP, will build a plan suited to your skin type, goals, and current routine.
Explore our full skincare consultations and plans offering, or pair your routine with skin rejuvenation treatments for a more complete plan.
Book your appointment, or start with a complimentary consultation to build your custom skincare plan.
Highland Park Aesthetics serves patients from Plano, Highland Park, University Park, Preston Hollow, Lakewood, and across the Dallas and Fort Worth area, with locations at:
5213 W Lovers Lane, Dallas and 1921 Preston Rd, Suite 130, Plano.
