The Serum Estheticians Quietly Repurchase for Themselves

An easy experiment to run at your next facial: ask your esthetician to describe the growth factor serum that she buys for herself and quietly renews when it depletes. It will most likely be neither the latest viral obsession nor some niche cult favorite - more often than not, it'll be a plain, straightforward option such as TNS.

The difference between what gets loudly advertised and what gets quietly re-bought is the reason for this post.

What is a growth factor serum?

The term itself might be intimidating, but the method of such a serum is rather simple: while most serums only penetrate the top layers of the skin and hydrate, illuminate, or exfoliate it, the ones containing growth factors get deep into the skin tissue and stimulate its natural rejuvenating processes.

In other words, growth factors act as protein messengers that tell collagen and elastin to do their jobs, instead of just masking the signs of aging on the skin's surface. That is why most skin professionals swear by growth factors - they want and need results that last.

Why it's most likely going to be TNS

SkinMedica effectively pioneered the entire segment of growth factor serums. The original TNS Recovery Complex is the one that first acquainted estheticians with the idea and benefits of growth factor treatments. As such, it continues to be the industry favorite among those who know their way around skincare and have the means to renew their preferences with SkinMedica. The new TNS Advanced+ builds upon the virtues of its predecessor, combining the next-gen growth factor and peptide complex with a botanical and marine extract complex to accelerate the skin's own regenerative powers. The results are also very specifically defined in contrast to most other serums - visibly reduced coarse wrinkles and fine lines, improved tone and texture, with these changes being both noticeable after two weeks of use and maximized after 24. It explicitly mentions the reduction of sagging skin, which other serums usually fail to address, while still managing to keep the tone even.

Such specificity, combined with the trust that the SkinMedica name has already generated with the professionals who use its products, gives TNS Advanced+ a clear edge over its competitors in terms of the esthetician's loyalty.

What exactly is an "esthetican-recommended" serum, anyway?

Products that manage to acquire this status tend to be either outrageously expensive but feature an equally outrageous benefit that most can't ignore, or the exact opposite - understated in both packaging and application but fulfilling an evident need in a thoroughly efficient manner.

TNS Advanced+, as mentioned earlier, falls rather under the second category. It doesn't promise you that your skin will feel dramatically different after applying the serum - if anything, its fragrance-free, lightweight consistency almost begs to be ignored. However, those who know what they are talking about keep repurchasing it, time and time again.

How to begin using TNS Advanced+ (or other SkinMedica products)

If you are interested in trying out the TNS Advanced+ serum but feel overwhelmed at the thought of having to research the entire SkinMedica brand just to find the right skincare partner for it, SkinMedica Favorites is a great place to start. It contains both the serum and two other products - the HA5 Hydrator and an Eye Cream - needed to either take care of your skin while you explore the rest of the brand or jump right into using the entire set. Alternatively, if you aren't quite sure about committing to the SkinMedica system as a whole, the original TNS Recovery Complex has the potential to become your go-to anti-aging staple.

What to combine it with (according to estheticians)

As mentioned above, a serum on its own is rarely enough to maintain the skin's health and beauty in the long term. Most estheticians who swear by growth factor serums tend to follow a pretty similar skincare path, using TNS Recovery Complex or TNS Advanced+ together with a daily protection serum, such as SkinMedica Essential Defense, and an antioxidant serum like Biopelle. Retinol Complex is also a popular addition that helps the skin renew itself from within, though it is only recommended to be used thrice a week in order to avoid irritating the skin. If you feel like your skin needs extra help with dark spots and uneven tone, Even & Correct can be added to the rotation for its brightening properties without the harshness of most other treatments.

How long does it take to see results?

This, precisely, is a part that confuses most beginning users - while many serums require only a few days to show any changes, growth factor serums tend to be much more invested in the skin's long-term wellbeing. In other words, they require time and dedication to truly reveal their benefits. TNS Advanced+ is best used every morning and every night, and the changes it brings to the skin are only noticeable after roughly 12 weeks of consecutive use. In case you are disappointed after two weeks, don't give up - a little patience will reward you with visibly healthier skin. On the upside, you will get more use out of a single bottle since it only takes a couple of drops to sufficiently treat your skin.

Conclusion

The viral serum of the month is trying to convince you to buy into its hype. The growth factor serum on your esthetician's preferred product list is simply doing its job, period after period, year after year. This is most evident with the TNS Advanced+ serum, which quietly keeps getting renewed by those who know skincare better than most.