Infographic: Supplements

Infographic: Supplements Written and Designed by  Rachelle Dupree, marketing and communications director for Vivoderm Natural Skincare for Dermascope Magazine, print and online. (© 2017) ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND NUTRIENTS FOR HEALTHY, GLOWING SKIN a healthy, well-balanced diet will provide most of the nutrients the skin needs. * VITAMIN A * Speeds up cell regeneration * Improves collagen and elastin levels * Helps exfoliate skin VITAMIN Bs (particularly B2, B3, and B12 for skin) * Reduces redness, dry skin, acne, and eczema * Regulates pigment and prevents discoloration * Regenerates skin cells VITAMIN C * Helps prevent wrinkles * Prevents and treats ultraviolet damage * Helps rejuvenate skin * Powerful antioxidant properties EAT THE RAINBOW! Preparing meals with all the colors of nature will create a vitamin-packed punch for beautiful skin. VITAMIN D * Aids vital mineral absorption * Natural dose from 10 min. of sun * Creates healthy skin cells VITAMIN E * Powerful antioxidant * Fights free radicals * Slows age-related skin and sun damage * Boosts collagen production * Clients should take vitamins under the guidance of a medical professional in order to prevent overdose.

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Lemon Lightens the Skin

Lemon Lightens the Skin. Written by  Rachelle Dupree, marketing and communications director for Vivoderm Natural Skincare for Dermascope Magazine – June 2017. Print and Online (© 2017) https://www.dermascope.com/fact-or-fiction/lemon-lightens-the-skin Fact or Fiction: Lemon Lightens the Skin. Fresh lemon juice has been known for decades as a household remedy for lightening the skin. Many clients may be wondering, however, if it truly works. The basic answer is yes, but the lightening process does take time. When it comes to hyperpigmentation, though, experience has proven that it is not as permanent a solution as laser treatments or stronger peels. In comparison, hydroquinone, which was once touted as the preferred skin lightener, has now been shown to promote cytotoxicity and irritation that can actually increase dark spots and discoloration over time. Old beauty regimens recommended rubbing whole lemons on rough, dark elbows and using lemon juice as a type of toner on a daily basis to combat age spots. These regimens did work if the person performing them did not mind the stinging and burning from rubbing lemons directly onto the skin too often. HOW IT WORKS Lemon juice derived directly from real lemons, not the processed versions often found in bottles, can be used as an effective skin bleaching ingredient. Lemons typically contain between five and eight percent citric acid and have a pH of around 2.3, making them highly acidic. These high levels of ascorbic acid are also known as vitamin C. Natural aging, excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays, and daily pollution can all cause a decline in vitamin C content in the dermis. Using lemon juice as a natural treatment can pack a triple punch of exfoliating, stimulating collagen, and reducing melanin production. The production of melanin is the skin’s response to protecting itself from sun damage. When people overindulge in sunbathing or forget to wear sun protection, the melanin production produced by the enzyme tyrosinase goes into overdrive, producing dark patches, sun spots, and other forms of hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a natural exfoliant that can help lighten the skin and improve skin tone. The epidermis is exfoliated by the acid, gently sloughing old skin cells, including cells with dark pigmentation. Topically applying lemon juice, or vitamin C, will show mild skin-lightening effects caused by reductions in melanin production and melanin oxidation. Vitamin C also acts as a powerful antioxidant that can stimulate the production of skin collagen and protect…

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Sunburn Treatment Protocol

This article was written for Dermascope Magazine – print and online, March 2017 (© 2017) SUNBURN TREATMENT PROTOCOL for Aestheticians Before beginning any facial or body treatment for clients with a sunburn or sun-damaged skin, skin care professionals should always do a full assessment of the degree of damage. This assessment can be done either visually or with a facial magnifying tool. If the spa offers the option of ultraviolet photography, it can also be a valuable tool to assess the true sun damage. Photographs using a small pulse of ultraviolet light as the flash source can reveal markings and underlying damage not visible to the naked eye. If clients show signs of second degree burns or long-term solar keratosis, further evaluation and more appropriate medical treatment from a qualified dermatologist may be necessary. This evaluation is especially important for the early detection and treatment of melanoma. Over-the-counter medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen may decrease inflammation, swelling, and pain after facial sunburn. Advise clients to check with their doctor first to see if these medications are safe for them to take. The typical sunburn will appear inflamed, red, hot to the touch, and sometimes feel itchy. After hours or days, the skin may begin to peel or shed in an attempt to slough off the damaged layers and create new growth. Extreme care should be used when treating sun-damaged skin and most traditional facials should be avoided. Any facial treatments using steaming, chemical peels, acids, or exfoliation will do more harm than good at this time. If the top epidermal layer has been burned, only simple hydrating and healing facials should be employed. Non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and herbal ingredients that help the skin repair and protect are best. If the sunburn has occurred very recently, the skin may not have begun to peel. Hydration and cooling are key to helping reduce redness and pain and preventing future scaring. STEP-BY-STEP PROTOCOL 1. Start with a gentle cleansing to remove any dirt, makeup, or sunscreen. Use the most hydrating cream cleanser available. Formulas blended for extremely sensitive skin containing natural oils and healing botanicals are most beneficial. 2. Be careful not to use excessive rubbing or scrubbing motions when applying any treatments to sun-damaged skin as it may dislodge the top skin layer and exacerbate peeling. Apply the cleanser with a soft cotton ball or pad in a gentle patting or circular motion. 3. Continue the cleansing process with a second round of clean,…

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Herbology 101

Herbology 101 This article was written for Dermascope Magazine, published in print and online, October 2016 (© 2016) Written by  Rachelle Dupree, marketing and communications director for Vivoderm Natural Skincare. https://www.dermascope.com/scope-this/herbology-101   Herbology, which is also known as herbalism and herbal medicine, is the study and use of plants for medicinal purposes. Herbology and botanical studies can incorporate many different paths, including basic herbal pharmacology, physiology, nutrition, homeopathy, aromatherapy, and flower essences. Modern herbalists can use all or some of these options to heal a wide variety of traumas, diseases, and infections. History Most modern medical and pharmacological practices can trace their roots to ancient herbalism or traditional medicine in some form or another. In India, the practice of Ayurveda dates back thousands of years and emphasizes plant-based treatments, hygiene, and body-mind balance. Egyptian papyri dating back to 1550 B.C.E. have also been found to document medicine with a catalogue of useful plants and minerals. The Chinese and Greeks developed their own versions of herbal pharmacology around the first century C.E. with extensive herbal prescriptions and a new focus to treat the cause of diseases rather than the symptoms. In the Middle to Dark Ages, medical treatments became a strange combination of folklore, religion, and herbalistic practices that may or may not have been effective. Modern Herbalisim Modern invention and the scientific method took over many industrialized nations in the 18th and 19th centuries and quickly pushed aside traditional medicine and herbalist practices. Only those nations that did not develop economically stayed rooted in the old ways of healing. Herbalists were soon considered antiquated and their herbal treatments were passed over for chemical compounds and prescriptions. Yet, according to the World Health Organization, approximately 25 percent of modern drugs used in the United States have been derived from plants. As a result of the rush to modernize society, many people in the new millennium are seeing destructive repercussions, including a prevalence of diseases and toxicity that did not exist before. The desire to return to how it was before has fueled a new interest in natural systems and the health benefits of organic living, sustainable farming, and herbalism. Methods of Practice Today’s certified or master herbalists will likely have been trained in one of the hundreds of professional schools or apprenticed under a licensed tutor or mentor. Most students focus on specific regional areas to become expert and their training should include in-depth…

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Aromatherapy Infographic

This was first published in print for Dermascope Magazine, April 2016 (© 2016) Written and designed by  Rachelle Dupree, Marketing and Communications Director for Vivoderm Natural Skincare AROMATHERAPHY Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils extracted from plants to enhance psychological and physical well-being through topical application or inhalation. New studies show that humans can distinguish at least 1 trillion scents. The 5 most popular oils currently in use are lavender, peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, and rosemary. The human body contains far more receptors for smell (at least 1,000) than it does for other senses, such as sight (four) and touch (at least four). Essential oils are extremely concentrated. More than 5 undiluted drops should never be applied directly on the skin unless directed. Aromatherapists do not advise mixing more than 5 scents at a time. The shelf life for most essential oils is about 12 months. The highest-quality essential oils come from steam distillation or cold pressing plant and flower parts. Hydrosols are the aqueous byproducts of the distillation process (like rosewater) and have culinary, medicinal, and skin care uses. Essential oils should never be ingested. Essential oils can be extracted from the bark, stems, leaves, roots, and petals of herbs or flowers. Fragrance oils are chemical mixtures that mimic natural plant aromas and are not appropriate for aromatherapy. Aromatherapy works by stimulating the nervous and limbic system, the parts of the brain that affect emotion and memory. Aromatherapy scents can be applied through topical skin care, massage, baths, air diffusers, or direct inhalation.

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