INTERNATIONAL ESTHETICS, COSMETICS & SPA CONFERENCE
BE attended IECSC, NY held at the Javits Convention Center on April 28, 2008. This conference is one of three held nationally in the U.S. Held in different states, each conference offers new treatment ideas, trends, and up to the minute education on spa, wellness and medi-spa techniques and products.
Evolving Treatment Trends
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Indigenous Ingredients Novelty "Lux" Ingredients
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Resurgence of Chemical Peels
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Wellness: Nutraceuticals/Organics
Continuing Service Trends
. Teeth Whitening. Airbrushed Tanning
EdgeNote:
There were a number of product brands that contained "lux" ingredients like: gold, truffles, champagne and caviar. An interesting line called Om Aroma & Co. has taken the leap to "Sexy Green" with a luxury-organic spa and skincare collection that merges "lux ingredients" with organics. Nutraceuticals for anti-aging, complete wellness systems, and detoxifying products are increasing their presence at the beauty conferences. We will report more on this after attending IECSC Las Vegas, in June of this year. Innovative bath products have increased their presence as well. For fresh ideas check out BOMB cosmetics.
THE THERAPEUTIC EDGE: Hormonal Innovations
C'ELLE. Your monthly miracle! Studies are underway to determine if collecting menstrual stem cells could be the future for developing customized anti-aging products. Cryo-Cell International, Inc.'s news release dated April 14, 2008, announced results of a study published this month in Cell Transplantation, The Regenerative Medicine Journal. The study shows that stem cells found in menstrual blood proliferate rapidly and have significant potential to develop into multiple cell types. These findings could mean that the cells have the potential to one day treat a host of diseases. The stem cells in menstrual blood, known as MenSCs, are stromal stem cells, meaning they have the capability to differentiate into important cells, such as bone, cartilage, fat, nerve and cardiogenic cells. Menstrual stem cells are easily collected by using a safe, non-invasive process in the privacy of your own home. For any woman who presently experiences a menstrual period, regardless of her age, the ideal time to participate in C'elle is clearly the present.
Vulvare: Anti-aging for “down there”! This is not the first time BE has mentioned that there is an emerging trend on beautifying “down below”. (see OnTheEdge: 10/07/2007) Vulvare, moisturizer for external vaginal dryness, is pioneering the way for product launches that pamper this “private” area. It’s the only physician-formulated cream that contains non-irritating proteins and emollients. Vulvare is not a vaginal lubricant but a specific restorative cream for the most intimate of places. This light, yet rich cream/lotion (yes, we tried it!) is infused with soy isoflavones, soluble collagen, and plant extracts. Benefits help to combat the effects of estrogen-deprived skin and other general discomfort associated with external vaginal dryness and menopause.
Key ingredients and benefits include:
. Hydrolyzed Elastin - high in protein, toning, nourishing. Orzya Sativa; Rice Bran Oil - emollient. Soluble Collagen - hydrating. Squalane - emollient derived from olives. Panax Ginseng Root Extract - balancing. Orange Roughy Oil - softening
Vulvare was developed under the guidance of leading gynecologist and Medial Director of the Manhattan Center for Vaginal Surgery, Ronald. D. Blatt M.D., F.A. C. O. G.
>> Click here for more information on elective genital cosmetic surgery procedures.
Derma BeddingDermaTherapy… Need a good night’s sleep?! This innovative bedding has been clinically proven to show that women who suffer from hot flashes can regain a restful night’s sleep. A woven polyester-nylon blend with an anti-microbial infusion wicks wetness away from the body and disperses it within layers of the bedding so that it evaporates. The material works better than cotton and the action is similar to that of high performance athletic apparel. Antimicrobial treatment maintains freshness and eliminates odors on the fabric caused by germs and bacteria. Studies show an increased improvement over a 4-8 week period of participants characterized as poor sleepers. The conclusive studies show that DermaTherapy Fabrics can be used to dramatically enhance the therapeutic properties of bed linens, particularly as they relate to hot flashes and night sweats.
. The measure of overall sleep quality indicated that poor sleepers could regain normal sleep habits.
. Specific components of sleep quality, including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction were also significantly improved.
. Enhancements in the overall quality of life in terms of the amount of uninterrupted sleep, ability to keep cool, ability to keep dry, amount of sweating and comfort were seen after only 2 weeks of use.
THE INNER EDGE: Evolving Trends
Aura-Soma®Color energy to enhance your well-being. Right on target with the evolving trend of mysticism and self-discovery, Aura-Soma works with an interactive approach to color that makes positive changes in your life and helps shape your future. Although Aura-Soma has been in the U.S. for 20 years, this was the first time they have participated in IECSC, NY. The collection is touted to be the first system for spiritual awakening. The formulas are blended with the energies of herbs, essential oils, gems, crystals and pure water. Crystal and gem energies are transferred into the products through sound. Then, gold and pyramidal energies are blended to stabilize and harmonize the process. How it works: Choose four different bottles from a line-up of over 100 color combinations. From there, a trained AURA-SOMA® Practitioner can guide you through the significance of the sequence of your choices and enable a deeper investigation of each of the levels of colors and what their respective messages imply. Your chosen colors have the capacity to support you in a deeper understanding of your "soul" selves, past, present and to come. For information, copy and paste www.aura-soma.net into your browser.
Mesoestetic®The Chemical Peel Come Back. With the economy on the downside, signs are showing that the demand for costly cosmetic procedures will be dropping off too. Although statistics are not yet conclusive, national newspaper articles are reporting that a drop in cosmetic procedures that drew a steady income for doctors is declining. While consumers may be tightening their budgets, they still strive to look good, which may trigger a resurgence of the more affordable chemical peeling procedure.
Exfoliating peels have a long history. Fermented milk led the way to beauty rejuvenation for the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. Wine and vinegar came into play by the middle ages. The 1930’s saw an introduction of Phenol. TCA became the standard choice in the 1950’s. Glycolic and AHA peels surged in the 80’s and the cocktailing and modified acids found their place in the 1990’s.
Now, a new generation of the chemical exfoliating process has emerged with more choices to select from for skin conditions, benefits, and ethnicities.
Mesoestetic®, with innovative formulations from Spain, recently launched in the U.S. with a collection of 4 different pure acid chemical exfoliants at varying concentrations. Acids range from 95-99% pure, are non-buffered, and provide wound healing benefits through 2 active ingredients:
Arginine – a powerful amino acid that is naturally formed in the skin and is abundant in the connective tissue.
Glycine – naturally formed in the body to construct healthy DNA strands. Glycine in the body repairs damaged tissues.
The collection and peel benefits:
Glycolic Acid – 99% pure acid
. Naturally derived from sugar cane or rhubarb.. Concentrations 20%, 35%, 50% and 70%. Benefits: Fine lines and wrinkles, photo-aging, stimulates collagen and elastin.
Mandelic Acid – 98% pure acid
. Naturally derived from bitter almonds.. Concentrations: 30%, 40% and 50%. Benefits: Combination skin types, acne mixed with photo-aging, good for sensitive skin and skin of color.
Salicylic Acid – 99% pure acid
. Naturally derived from wintergreen or willow bark.. Concentrations: 10%, 20% and 30%. Benefits: Excellent for oily, acne prone complexions and some cases of rosacea.
Lactic Acid – 95% pure acid
. Naturally derived from fermented milk.. Concentrations: 30%, 40% and 50%. Benefits: Mature, wrinkled skin, helps hydrate skin, stimulates collagen and elastin.
THE CONSCIOUS EDGE: All that's Good
Sophyto™ -healthy skincare for life™ So healthy, so effective, so eco-conscious, Sophyto focuses on the health of the skin as opposed to claims of “time-travel in a tube”. Just launched in the U.S., this heavily endorsed eco-lux premium skincare brand is the first professional certified organic skincare collection to receive the coveted UK Soil Association certificate and licensing. Requirements for the stringent licensing are that the formulas have to contain a minimum of 95% certified organic ingredients. The brand also holds a multitude of additional licenses/certifications/symbols including biodegradable ingredients, vegan, ERP, and the compact for safe cosmetics.
The goal of Sophyto is to educate consumers to not just accept a company’s word that their range is organic or natural; instead, the goal is to encourage consumers to look for certifying symbols and license numbers on packaging and understand what types of ingredients are being used
Prohibited ingredients: petrochemicals, triclosan, hydrogenated fats, mineral oils, hexane and similar solvents, non-organic or synthetic fragrances and colors, polysorbates, ethanolamides, alkyl sulphates and alky ethyl sulphates, parabens.
Prohibited processes: genetic modification, ethoxylation, hydrogenation, sulphonation, ionizing radiation, solvent extraction except with water, ethanol, glycerin, CO2, nanotechnology.
From start to finish the product development process utilizes eco-efficient practices; components are recyclable and all waste generated at the U.K. manufacturing site is biodegradable and/or shipped to a special recycling facility that ensures that wastes are sanitized and odors contained. Development was created and led by Karen Sinclair Drake along with a select team of chemists who specialize in green science.
Rain,created for living…by hand. Experience a stunning collection of indigenous spa and soap products with luxury appeal! Rain, the brand name, offers multiple groupings of personal care products produced in Africa. The line-up includes African Rain, Avocado,Marula and Rooibox, Savannah and Wild Cotton. The African Spa products incorporate acurative value of many of Africa’s indigenous plant products that grow in the abundance of the African soil, such as kalahari melon, baobab and wildeals. The plant products are harvested and fairly traded by small rural producers who are party to environmental management and fair trade charters. The human touch is visible in all of the products and is what makes them precious. Everything is handmade, infused with passion, love, laughter, and hope that contributes to Africa’s work opportunities, skills training, income, and a better quality of life.
Dr.’s REMEDY™ Healthy polish for nails!Dr.’s REMEDY™Healthy polish for nails! This collection of enriched nail colors are the only over the counter formulas created by two podiatrists. The premise of the development for the polish was to create safe and nourishing products with natural occurring anti-fungal ingredients. The formulas are free from formaldehyde, DBP, and Toluene. Added ingredient benefits are; Vitamins C and E for healthier skin and nails, wheat protein to help with moisture binding and to naturally increase shine, tea tree oil to help provide antiseptic and anti-fungal benefits, and garlic bulb extract which contains allicin, a powerful antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral agent to help kill germs. Users who have tried the polish say that the formulas wear just as well as their salon polish. The current color collection contains 5 colors and 1 topcoat. A base coat is in development and a French kit is due to launch June 1, 2008.