Prescription Wrinkle Creams – Are They More Effective?

Many of us tend to think that drugs or products that are available only by prescription are somehow better for us; more effective and more potent. To an extent this is true – after all it is prescription drugs such as antibiotics that are going to cure specific infections rather than over the counter symptom control medication.

So is the same true for prescription wrinkle creams – are they more effective, more potent and do they work better?

Well there is the fact that prescription formulations almost always have a greater concentration of active ingredients.

This greater concentration may mean better results but it may also mean greater side effects or more adverse reactions.

It is this greater concentration of certain chemicals or active ingredients in the formulation due to which such a formulation is not sold freely over the counter.

So with prescription anti-wrinkle creams keep the following in mind –

Some so called prescription creams may have the same ingredients as the over the counter ones

Although they may be labeled prescription, some of them may have the same strength or concentration of active ingredients as over the counter products. In this case you results will be much the same and the only difference will have been that you got a prescription filled at considerable cost – both for the consultation as well as the prescription product which may typically cost more than some generics.

There could be significant improvements in the look of the skin but in cases may not

Many prescription anti-wrinkle creams do however have certain ingredients or ingredient concentrations that are not available in over the counter treatments. When these are applied to skin, very often the results can be noticeably smoother or better looking skin.

Also if the necessary receptors are not present, the cream may not work – they may not be effective for one in five women.

They may have very significant side effects

Only a trained dermatologist should prescribe these creams after considering the type of skin that a woman has, to gauge suitability and possible efficacy of the formulation. Many prescription anti-wrinkle creams may not be suitable for sensitive skins because they may cause, reddening, flaking and irritation on the skin.

Looking at the possible side effects and cost involved in prescription creams most of us may prefer to stick to over the counter products. Just look for formulations that have Retinol among the first few ingredients listed, and you probably have a fairly effective product.