Stroll into any department or cosmetics store, and the plethora of products made from herbal extracts, vitamin infusions, and all else that nature has to offer, will be readily apparent. Yet, despite our shared education in managing a multitude of dermatological concerns, the understanding and application of these cosmetic products remains underexplored. This course seeks to provide a detailed overview of how Naturopathic therapies can be used in Aesthetics Medicine. Topical, dietary, and lifestyle-based approaches in the maintenance of healthy skin; prevention & reduction of skin photoaging; and in the management of various dermatological and aesthetics concerns will be reviewed.  Within the review of topicals, we will explore in detail some of the popular & well-established cosmeceutical ingredients and products used for photoaging, oily & dry skin, pigmentation concerns, facial redness, periorbital skincare, and cellulite, among others. Other topics reviewed include: examples of Naturopathic approaches to complement popular Medical Spa services; scar and wound management; and common ingredient formulations to consider in selecting moisturizers, cleansers, and sunscreens. 

This course will benefit a variety of Naturopathic practitioners: those currently utilizing aesthetics therapies such as cosmetic acupuncture; those working in, or seeking work in, a medical-spa or fitness facility; those managing a high degree of dermatological conditions; and finally, those simply looking to add an aesthetics element to their clinical practice.

This version of the course has been expanded and updated!...it now includes:

·       A new ‘Quick Look’ section exploring research on topicals for Androgenic Alopecia

·       An expanded review of topical Vitamin C, including detailed comparisons between the            common forms used in skin care topicals

·       An expanded comparison between the effects of various cosmeceutical retinoids

·       An expanded sunscreen section, including both a chart outlining sunscreen ingredients’          ability to filter UVA1, UVA2, UVB, and/or Visible Light spectrums, as well as the                        emerging addition of antioxidants into sunscreen formulas 

·       Dietary & topical use of plant oils for skin health

·       Market trends for the inclusion of herbals in wrinkle-reduction topicals

·       Updated review of key assessment scales for evaluating cellulite severity

·       Updated & expanded tables, images and graphics used throughout the course

·       Expanded listing of ‘Further Reading’ references

Learning Objectives 

• Explore the various applications of Naturopathic Aesthetics to one’s clinical practice

• Appreciate the integral role of the skin barrier, and its components, in maintaining skin health and in the treatment of various dermatological & aesthetics concerns

• Define and be able to describe the term cosmeceuticals

• Review the role, benefit, and clinical/aesthetic applications for various topical cosmeceutical products and/or ingredients

• Describe the mechanisms by which antioxidants can impact the biochemical processes leading to photoaging and photodamage

• Describe the differences between various forms of ascorbic acid used in cosmeceutical products

• Describe the differences in mechanism of action between various retinoids used topically 

• Identify key ingredients used in the formulation of topical moisturizers and skin cleansers, including those used to fortify the skin barrier

• Identify key topical cosmeceutical ingredients, diet and lifestyle approaches in the management of: oily skin, dry skin, facial redness/blotching, hyperpigmentation, skin photoaging, cellulite, scar & wound management, among others

• Identify how Naturopathic Medicine can complement the use, and enhance effectiveness of, various Medical-Spa/Dermatological services and devices

• Understand the mechanisms by which certain herbal/nutrient-based topical agents impact hair follicles in the management of androgenic alopecia

• Integrate assessment scales used in the evaluation of cellulite severity

• Explore the role and effect of cosmetic/facial rejuvenation acupuncture, including a review of recent research findings relating to its use for aesthetic purposes

• Identify the two key types of sunscreen ingredients; which type to use under certain dermatological conditions

• Provide patients with easy-to-use guidance regarding appropriate sunscreen use

• Explore the emerging trend toward the inclusion of antioxidant agents into sunscreen formulations

• Understand and apply key dietary approaches to support healthy skin and reduce effects of photoaging