LNE & Spa—the magazine for skin care and spa professionals March 2012 $7.50

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BY ANNE C. WILLIS

ENHANCING FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT to be proactive with their health and well-ness—and that includes skin therapists—there is a new concept in health care called “functional medicine.” Unlike tra-ditional medicine, which focuses on the treatment of symptoms, functional medi-cine is a new dynamic that emphasizes disease prevention first. If disease does occur, functional medicine addresses the treatment of the underlying causes of disease, instead of just the symptoms.

The development of many chronic and degenerative diseases, such as can-cer, heart disease, and neuronal degen-eration in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases have been caused in part by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has also been implicated in the aging process. It is known that reactive oxygen spe-cies can damage biological molecules such as proteins, lipids and DNA. Diets rich in fruits, nuts and vegetables have long been considered to be an excel- ph

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remediesTHIS NEW BRANCH

OF MEDICINE FOCUSES ON SUPPORTING

NATURAL FUNCTIONS THROUGH THE

USE OF REMEDY ENHANCERS.

March 2012 Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa www.LNEONLINE Page 109

organic & wellness

lent source for enhancing antioxidant systems, reducing inflammation and fighting infections. However, most in-dividuals do not eat enough of these foods to support the amount of energy they are burning. So it all comes down to supply and demand.

While the human body has devel-oped a number of systems to eliminate free radicals from the body, this new branch of medicine focuses on support-ing natural functions through the use of remedy enhancers, which support the skin and body’s capacity to carry out de-manding activities, while enhancing the ability to handle all types of stressors.

Functional medicine is a science-based field of health care that is ground-ed in the following principles:

describes the importance of individual variations in metabolic function that are derived from genetic and environmental differences among individuals.

emphasizes “patient care” rather than “disease care,” following Sir William Osler’s admonition that “It is more important to know what patient has the disease than to know what disease the patient has.”

Improving balance in our lifestyle and in the skin’s fundamental physi-ological processes is the precursor to restoring health, and it involves much more than treating the symptoms. The skin care industry has adopted func-tional medicine in the form of functional skin therapies. Functional skin care is

continues

dedicated to improving the manage-ment of complex and chronic condi-tions by intervening at multiple levels and addressing core clinical imbalances through remedy enhancers that restore skin’s functionality and health.

Skin imbalancesThe core clinical imbalances that arise from skin malfunctions include:

biotransformational (chemical alteration) imbalances

microbiological imbalances

cellular membrane function and collagen formationAddressing skin malfunctions begins

by using the individual’s story as a key tool for integrating assessment, signs, symptoms and clinical imbalances into a comprehensive approach for the appli-cation of remedy enhancers. Supporting and enhancing the biochemistry of the individual’s skin function is indicated in a broad spectrum of conditions, includ-ing all types of infections.

Remedy enhancers have the ability to:

early stages (when an individual feels a skin eruption starting and/or already has an inflamed follicle).

sensitive, decrease skin fatigue

(which accompanies the problem) and reduce the severity of symptoms.

stability, even in the midst of extreme stress.

infections, such as rashes.

skin cancers or cyst growths.

inflammatory and antioxidant properties; can also provide relief for the side effects of chemotherapy.

So what are remedy enhancers, and how do they work? Internal remedy enhancers are taken as tinctures (liq-uid herbals) or supplements. In skin care, remedy enhancers come in mists and powders, as well as infused teas. These solutions are based with pure raw botanical materials or whole foods, which specifically enhance health, dis-ease prevention and natural beauty by supporting the biochemistry of the individual’s skin.

INTERNAL REMEDY ENHANCERS ARE TAKEN AS TINCTURES (LIQUID HERBALS) OR SUPPLEMENTS. IN SKIN CARE, REMEDY ENHANCERS COME IN MISTS

AND POWDERS, AS WELL AS INFUSED TEAS.

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THE LICORICE PLANT AIDS ADRENAL GLANDS, DIGESTION AND DETOXIFICATION.

LNEONLINE.com Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa

good for skin sores, it is antibacterial and antifungal. It is helpful in balancing hormones, and serves as a strong liver purifier, which is particularly valuable in addressing skin problems. Specific in all blood cleansing and detoxifica-tion processes, it aids in neutralizing and eliminating toxins from the body; supports the treatment of liver problems, gallstones and flu; supports the kidneys as they filter acids from the bloodstream to purify the blood; and addresses problematic skin conditions, such as acne and psoriasis.

LICORICE: The licorice plant aids adrenal glands, diges-tion and detoxification. In addition, it normalizes hormones, provides anti-inflammatory action, protects liver, regulates immunity and has anti-viral properties. Licorice may reduce immune hyper-activation, caused by shock to the nervous system. Recent studies have found that licorice has remark-able rejuvenating effects on the cells, with its soothing and coating action. Licorice root is anti-cancer, anti-toxic, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic—and it is a wonderful antioxidant!

TURMERIC: Turmeric herbs and spices contain phenolic substances, which have potent antioxidative and chemo-preventive properties. In particular, curcumin is a powerful antioxidant derived from the curry spice turmeric. Turmeric might be the best inflammation-fighting compound for treating rosacea and inflamed acne. It helps aid digestion and prevent cancer.

The Chinese have always followed the model of going to a doctor to stay well, unlike westerners, who go only when they are already sick. There is something to be said about enhanc-ing our well-being so we can live long, productive lives with minimal disease and health complications. Skin care adopts this ancient philosophy by turning to remedy enhancers. It is a clinician’s discipline and practice to directly address their own well-being, thereby transforming the practice of skin care to become holistic, and to adopt much of what we have to learn from the success of functional medical practices.

Anne C. Willis, a licensed esthetician and worldwide leader in holistic and medical skin therapies, is the founder of De la Terre Skincare. She is an accred-ited skin care instructor and the direc-tor of Oncology Skin Thera peutics™, bringing more than 30 years of ex-perience and knowledge to the new generation of skin therapists. Willis co-authored The Esthetician’s Guide to Working With Physicians, and has been featured in numerous publications. For more information, contact her at info@delaterreskincare.com or visit www.delaterreskincare.com.

Several premier botanicals are considered by functional medical physicians and holistic practitioners to be the most important remedy enhancers. Whether taken internally or ap-plied topically, they prompt the body to be well, and remem-ber how to function within the realm of wellness.

BotanicalsASHWAGANDHA: Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-stress, antioxidant, immune boosting and skin rejuvenating properties. Its antioxidant capacity has been found to increase the levels of three natural antioxidants—superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the body. Studies show that Ashwagandha even promotes the formation of dendrites.

BURDOCK: Burdock is a good source of nutrients, including iron, which serves as a building block for the body. Also

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