Approaches to Managing Facial Skin Aging

Easily one of, if not the, most common presenting concern in an aesthetics practice is that of mitigating the signs of facial skin aging. This can encompass a wide variety of skin changes.  From the initial appearance of fine lines, through to the deepening of wrinkles; reductions in skin smoothness, to unevenness of skin tone; the lag apparent in skin laxity, through to the development of age spots and melasma. Our society’s focus on the enhancement of facial skin complexion is itself made obvious with a simple stroll through any cosmetics department or store. With such a high number of topical products directed toward this end, not to mention the multitude of medical/spa devices and services, as well as the growing realm of oral supplements touted for their purported benefit in this regard, it is easy to see just how central facial aesthetics is in our society. Our goal for this course is to provide aesthetically-focused Naturopathic providers with a deeper understanding, appreciation, and an evidence-focused basis for incorporating key Naturopathic Aesthetic therapies. This will include a wide variety of topical cosmeceuticals, dietary interventions, oral supplements, and lifestyle modifications relating to the management of facial skin aging. 

This course builds on, and dives deeper into, information reviewed in the Introduction to Naturopathic Aesthetics course. It is designed to provide a variety of unique facets for facial skincare in your Naturopathic Aesthetics practice, including: 

-A detailed review of both common and emerging topical cosmeceuticals typically found in the marketplace; this will include the likes of retinoids, ascorbic acid, hydroxy acids, peptides, plant stem cells, various antioxidants, and topical probiotics, among others.

-Among the cosmeceutical discussion, a separate focus is placed on those used in skin lightening products for hyperpigmentation concerns; this will include the likes of hydroquinone (and the debate surrounding its use), azelaic acid, arbutin, licorice extract, and lignin peroxidase, among others.

-Examples of how these cosmeceutical ingredients are formulated together, and methods of incorporation into your practice, will also be explored

-An exploration of specific dietary elements researched toward slowing the progression of skin aging, culminating in an overall dietary approach looking to incorporate these individual elements

-To determine the role, benefit, and evidence surrounding the emerging realm of nutritional and herbal-based oral supplements used for both mitigating the appearance of facial aging as well as for general cutaneous photoprotection

-To showcase recent research seeking to connect skin aging with the likes of sleep, stress, circadian rhythm, air pollution, as well as the specific impact of smoking and alcohol use on facial skin aging.

With the additional goal of facilitating your exploration into this world of Naturopathic Aesthetics, this course is designed to provide the course-taker with ample information, including numerous resources and references. It is very much encouraged to explore these as a means of obtaining a deeper breadth of the topics we review.