Blogs

There is a lot of confusing information out there today that needs clarification. In this postmodern era, it seems as if we are headed backward in many ways, and science, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to be immune. I find it particularly perplexing in the health & beauty industry why many professionals and consumers lean on marketing instead of science to guide them.

There is a serious and widespread misconception about the value of exfoliation. Most people believe the surface of the skin is composed of dead, useless cells that make the skin look dull, prevent the skin from “breathing” and can clog up the follicles. In reality these “dead” cells are the mature functional cells of the skin. They are there for a special purpose.

by Professor Des Fernandes. I feel very sorry for the people who are anxious enough to rely on apps to find safe ingredients for skin care. One needs to be chemically trained to put these details into perspective. The fact is that we do not know of many ingredients that do not have a toxic dose level. For example, we need oxygen in our air at about 20% and it’s what keeps us alive… but it’s going to be a prominent part of the cause of our death. Just recently I saw a report on a premature baby that was accidentally left in high oxygen for too long and became blind.

By Cathy Wainwright. Masking has been one of my favorite self-care things to do since I was a teenager. I began my love affair with masques as an adolescent with Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque. I used it often and with great hope. I must say that once I became a proficient esthetician, I steered away from complicated masques.

By Shawna Akin-Wiesner In order to devise a scientifically based strategy for preventing andor treating photo-damage, we need to know exactly what sunlight does to the skin. The ‘fountain of youth’ is really in the knowledge of how it is lost!

By Candace Noonan, LE COE Director Of Education at DermaConcepts USA Lactic acid may not be a new or particularly “sexy” ingredient, but it certainly deserves a skin care professional’s attention and its space on the list of necessary skin care ingredients in cosmetic formulations! What goes with what? Which ingredient enhances the action of which other ingredient? Find out here!

By Rob and Carol Trow - We're back at work, summer is nearly here and it's time to get our businesses booming again. here are some top tips from two real experts.

By Professor Des Fernandes and Dr Ernst Eiselen – How do you deal with clients who say that they would rather treat acne with antibiotics than follow your prescribed routine of diet, skin care and supplements? It’s always easier to pop a pill than to change your lifestyle – cheaper too.

By Jennifer Munro, Professor Des Fernandes, Dr Ernst Eiselen and Candace Noonan. Is any one form of Vitamin A ‘better’ than another for skin? Can you compare skincare products by percentage of active ingredients? What does an International's Unit mean? How much is too much?

By Carol Trow and Rob Trow – CHEMICAL PEELS are designed and formulated to help remove dead skin cells and stimulate the skin’s natural regeneration process. Peels can assist in improving damaged skin caused by the sun, aging, acne, excessive oil and other extrinsic and intrinsic factors. But, one must be carefully trained and educated on the types and applications of each of the major peeling agents and their proper use. It has been estimated that more than one million skin peel procedures were carried out at a cost of $1 billion in the United States this past year. These procedures are growing because of the efficacy of skin peeling when used properly and its comparatively low cost to clients.

by Professor Des Fernandes and Dr Ernst Eiselen and Jennifer Munro. Every esthetician can go from being ‘An esthetician’ to being ‘My esthetician’ by taking extra care and time in that very first meeting. How do you make that meeting matter? How do you turn a casual enquiry into a customer for life?

By Professor Des Fernandes and Dr Ernst Eiselen. Most people only think of blocking the sun out to protect their skins, but what if there was another way to increase your defences against sun damage to skin without putting your body at risk of Vitamin D deficiency? Very topically at the moment, vitamin D boosts the immune system in its fight against viruses and is even more important than usual.