The Secrets of Cosmetic Acupuncture

Cosmetic acupuncture combines the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with specialized facial acupuncture to help you look and feel healthy and beautiful. It is the truest form of anti-aging medicine because it works internally to optimize your health while simultaneously enhancing the appearance of your skin. A practitioner specializing in cosmetic acupuncture uses the “meridians” that either end or begin in the face to stimulate and balance your energy, while also treating the underlying factors that contribute to the aging process.  The results leave your face glowing, with tighter skin and a reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Cosmetic acupuncture is also used to reduce or eliminate puffy eyes, dark circles, dehydrated skin, acne, and rosacea. As an added benefit, cosmetic acupuncture can also increase your own natural energy, or “Chi” force, providing you with a complete sense of relaxation and rejuvenation. You can also expect such positive side effects as reduced stress, improved sleep and digestion, and a reduction in menopause symptoms.

Going ‘Under the Needle’

The treatment is customized to each client based on an initial health assessment to determine your internal health. Your practitioner then creates a treatment plan using acupuncture and, if needed, Chinese herbal medicine. You will also be given nutritional recommendations. It is important to remember that your face is a measure of your health; if you are healthy and balanced, this will be reflected in your skin.

During treatment, the insertion of tiny, painless needles stimulates the flow of blood, lymph, and oxygen, which nourishes the skin from the inside out. At the same time, a process called “positive micro-trauma” stimulates the production of collagen, creating even skin tone, a smooth complexion, and a natural, healthy glow.

Cosmetic acupuncture is both preventative and corrective, so you can begin at any age. Beginning these treatments in your late twenties or early thirties can literally slow down the aging process by boosting your collagen and improving the health of your skin and body.  If you are in your forties, fifties, or sixties, these treatments will turn back the hands of time by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in tighter and brighter skin. Be prepared to glow!

The Results are In…

While you can expect a brighter complexion after just one cosmetic acupuncture treatment, ten to twelve treatments are recommended for optimal results. The treatments should be performed twice a week, or no more than one week apart for the first series of treatments.  To maintain the results, it is recommended that you have a treatment every six weeks to keep you looking fresh. Your cosmetic acupuncturist will also educate you on proper skin care using natural but active cosmeceuticals. It is equally important that you feed your skin the same vitamins, minerals, and supplements that you give your internal body. After all, the skin is the largest organ – and the only visible organ – so it needs proper care!

Unlike a treatment such as botox injections, cosmetic acupuncture addresses the entire face. The aim of cosmetic acupuncture is not to eliminate lines and wrinkles immediately, but rather to increase the health of the skin, while tightening and brightening the complexion. Cosmetic acupuncture is a great option for those who are hesitant to undergo botox injections, but also a great option for those who have targeted botox treatments and want to boost the vitality of the rest of the face. Clients have reported a need for less botox injections due to the overall tightening of the skin.

Cosmetic acupuncture continues to gain popularity, and there is evidence that it works. A study published in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture showed that of 300 people who received facial acupuncture, 90 percent saw marked results after their first course of treatment.

One of the most attractive features of cosmetic acupuncture is that there is no downtime; plus, it is covered by most extended health plans. If you are looking to naturally boost the look and health of both your skin and body, than cosmetic acupuncture may be an excellent option for you. But don’t let just anyone touch your face! Do your research as not all practitioners are alike.

With skin needling, collagen and elastin deposition are increased and the result is thicker, firmer, healthier skin. The healing period is short compared to other procedures only 24-28 hours because needling leaves the epidermis(your outermost layer of skin) intact. This procedure is less expensive, less risky, and just as effective if not more than laser treatments and other ablative skin treatments.  Your practitioner will use a topical numbing cream to minimize discomfort.

Some of the key benefits include:

• Stimulate the production of collagen tightening the skin
• Eliminate or reduce crows feet and lip lines
• Eliminate or reduce forehead lines and frown lines
• Assist in the absorption of cosmetic products
• Reduce the appearance of wrinkles, pigmentation and sun damage
• Treat acne scars and chicken pock scars
• Reduce the appearance of scarring and stretch marks
• Reduce the appearance of enlarged pores
• Helps with Rosacea
• Helps with hair restoration

What makes skin needling such an effective treatment option is a result of what is happening to the skin after it is needled over the next three plus months. Your skin will appear to be visibly healed after 24-48 hours but the healing process is continuously happening beneath the surface for several months.  This natural healing process is what makes the treatment so effective.

The fibroblast cells which are the cells that make collagen and elastin will migrate to the injured site and produce and deposit new extracellular matrix.  The new matrix cross-links and organizes itself and over time, new collagen will:

• fill in any depressed scars and fine lines and wrinkles that are present
• break down and reorganize any scar tissue

Home Care Skin Needling combine with Stem Factor:

Home care skin needling is a great addition to your daily skin care routine.  Combining home care skin needling with a revolutionary product from Osmosis called Stem Factor the results are phenomenal.  Stem Factor contains growth factors that have been derived from human stem cells making them much more effective than plant based stem cells.   When we are young we have ample amounts of growth factors in our skin and that is what keeps our skin looking smooth, healthy and youthful but with age these growth factors begin to decline and this is seen as fine lines, wrinkles, poor skin function and skin conditions.  Luckily with the combination of Stem Factor and home care skin needling we can re-build and replenish these vital growth factors.   Great results are seen when performing skin needling in combination with Stem Factor 2-5 times a week.  This is a cost effective way to keep your skin young and healthy.  It is also a great way to support your medical skin needling sessions to ensure you are achieving the best results possible.

Stem Factor contains essential growth factors and when combined with skin needling will:

1.  Enhances repair of damaged cells
2. Encourages formation of new cells to make collagen and elastin and improves strength and elasticity of the collagen structure.
3. Increases the number of macrophage cells which remove scar tissue, strengthen capillary walls.
4. Increases new blood vessel formation which is important to ensure skin is being fed vital nutrients to function and look its best.
5. Improves skins ability to fight infections

To book a complimentary skin health consultation visit www.sknclinic.ca or call 604-568-6333

Your twenties and early thirties are primarily a time of preventive skincare and what you do during these years can positively or negatively affect the health of your skin and the rate at which it ages. In our forties, skincare is preventive and corrective; this is a time when we notice more dehydration and accentuated appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sun spots. There are effective anti-aging treatments and products that can be used to address existing signs of aging as well as prevent further deterioration.

In our fifties, fine lines and wrinkles can become more prominent and can develop into folds. This is a time when estrogen is decreasing, resulting in reduced elasticity and plumpness of the skin. Your skin tone can become more uneven and jowls can begin to develop.

Luckily, age is not the only determining factor. Lifestyle, nutrition, stress, skincare, sun protection and genetics are key factors that play a role in the speed at which our skin will age. Look for a good quality physical sunscreen that uses zinc oxide and or titanium dioxide and avoid the chemical sunscreens. The sooner we start taking care of our skin the better the results, the healthier and more long-living our skin will be, and the less money will be needed for more invasive procedures down the road. Below are the top five ways to keep your skin looking tight, bright and healthy.

1. Skin Tyte
Skin Tyte is an advanced light energy system that delivers infrared heat to the deeper layer of the skin where the collagen resides. Once the heat is delivered, it contracts existing collagen for a tightening effect, while also stimulating the formation of fibroblasts that will create more collagen. The Skin Tyte treatment is safe for all skin types.
Most individuals require a series of two to six sessions depending on age and collagen loss. The best part is that there is no downtime and you can resume normal activities immediately after treatment. Visible results can be immediate, but your skin will achieve the desired optimal benefits gradually over two to three months, when new collagen has formed. We highly recommend beginning these treatments in your thirties when collagen is gradually declining, because you will obtain maximum results and stop aging in its tracks. Great results are still obtained in your forties and fifties.

2. Vitamin A Infusion Peel
The Vitamin A Infusion Peel is a one-of-a-kind peel that repairs and remodels your skin. It works at a deeper layer where the collagen and elastin reside, making it a powerful anti-aging treatment, but it is also great for acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. It boosts the cell turnover rate resulting in a healthier, more youthful complexion. It is extremely safe and tolerated by all skin types. We see mild to moderate exfoliation two to three days after the peel, which usually lasts for another two to three days. The peel is gentle but the results are significant!
Here’s what you can expect from a Vitamin A Infusion Peel:
• Increase fibroblast activity (fibroblast cells are what create collagen and elastin)
• Increase capillary flow to help increase food supply to the dermis and thicken the dermis
• Calm acne and rosacea symptoms
• Lift hyperpigmentation
• Reduce fine lines and improve skin tone and elasticity
• Normalize oil production
3. Chemical and Enzyme Peels
A chemical peel is a technique that involves the application of a variety of chemical solutions to remove the damaged outer layers of dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. It is extremely beneficial for many skin conditions and the aging face. By removing the build-up of dead skin cells and stimulating the regenerative process, you will notice marked improvements in the formation of wrinkles and fine lines, texture and tone of the skin and hydration. You’ll also see reduced pore size, clearing of blemishes, more balanced oil production and an overall healthier skin appearance.
Some exciting advancements in chemical peels now include the blending of active natural ingredients with a variety of enzymes and acids which allows peels to be customized to specific skin needs and concerns. These treatments can really transform the look and health of the skin. They range from very mild peeling to deeper peeling depending on your preference and skin’s needs. Lactic acid is a beautiful peel that will polish and brighten up the skin by removing the dead layer on top. An added benefit is that there is no downtime or peeling.

4. Skin Needling and Needle Dermabrasion
Skin needling (roller) and needle dermabrasion (tattoo gun) are non-invasive, non- injectable skin rejuvenation treatments that target a diverse range of skin concerns. This procedure uses a roller with microscopic needles or an inkless tattoo gun to target specific lines, wrinkles or scars, cellulite, and stretch marks. It is derived from ancient acupuncture techniques and has minimal risk and long-term results. As the needles are rolled over the skin, tiny punctures are created within the epidermis and dermis that encourage the skin’s own natural healing response. There is minimal downtime and discomfort; the treatment is carried out using topical numbing cream.
Home treatment rollers are also available for use on a weekly basis. These have much shorter needles which only microscopically break the surface of the skin. When used with your regular skin care routine, this will assist with absorption of your serums. The homecare roller will also help break up the dead layer of your skin; the exfoliating effect helps prevent congestion from dead skin build-up and promotes vibrant skin.
Clinical skin needling and needle dermabrasion are used to:
• Stimulate the production of collagen
• Reduce the appearance of wrinkles, pigmentation and sun damage
• Treat acne scars and chicken pock scars
• Reduce the appearance of scarring, stretch marks
• Reduce the appearance of enlarged pores
4. Cosmetic Acupuncture
Cosmetic acupuncture is the ultimate anti-aging treatment because it balances our internal systems while simultaneously boosting the health and appearance of the skin. It is a non-surgical procedure that will help rejuvenate and revitalize your whole body. It will improve blood and energy circulation, nourish your skin and increase collagen production to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and dull skin.

5. Medi-Facials
A medi-facial is a results-driven treatment that uses concentrated clinical grade, natural ingredients that replenish and repair the skin. These ingredients include enzymes, acids, and vitamins, plus potent antioxidants. Medi-facials are great for all skin types and skin conditions because they are custom blended at the time of treatment. The infusion of nutrients, acids, and enzymes results in a deep cleaning and nutrient-rich feeding of the skin, and finally a smooth polishing, leaving skin looking refreshed, radiant and healthy.

Book a complimentary consultation today to learn more about these treatments and get started on a skin health program. Healthy skin is great looking, long-living skin. www.sknclinic.ca

This has everything to do with your skin’s health and it is substantially overlooked by the skincare community. All the skin’s food, immune support, antioxidant and remodeling efforts all come from the blood supply. Every time you are stressed, you drink coffee or go outside in cold weather, your skin suffers a little because all of these things restrict bloodflow to the dermis. Vitamin K, horse chestnut and caffeine in skincare products are all designed to reduce bloodflow. There is no skin condition (Rosacea, Dark Circles, etc) that is better off with less bloodflow. That is why the utilization of Retinaldehyde, Niacinamide, Camphor, and other circulation enhancing ingredients makes such a big difference in the quality and health of the skin. Bags under the eyes are the result of vasoconstriction (reduced bloodflow and the correlation between loss of blood supply and the thinning of the dermis with age are more than a coincidence. Remember, it is a thinning dermis that is the primary cause of visible capillaries. The reason capillaries return after treatment is because the skin wants adequate blood supply in the area. The best way to reduce this is to build back the collagen/elastin (in the dermis) that covers these vessels.

STIMULATION

This is an important term because it needs to be differentiated from the typical remodeling strategies employed by most skincare companies. To highlight my point, we can discuss glycolic acid. This ingredient is in most products and is touted as a rejuvenating ingredient. The skin doesn’t have glycolic acid receptors so its method of action is simply to destroy whatever it can. The reason there is any effect is only because the skin, in response to the devastation, replaces itself with new layers. The epidermis swells a little from the inflammation (temporarily reducing the appearance of lines), the new skin is less pigmented (helping hyperpigmentation superficially) but the net effect the skin’s resources were used to repair the recent damage rather than repairing the substantial damage that was the initial treatment goal. So how do you stimulate the skin without damaging it? There a few ingredients for this task but one stands out as a clear leader, Retinaldehyde. The key remodeling components in the skin are the Fibroblasts. They make collagen, elastin and GAG’s, all of which are critical to a youthful, wrinkle-free appearance. Trauma does activate them but for little net gain. Activating their receptors is the true target and Retinaldehyde does a wonderful job at stimulating Fibroblasts without trauma. Retinaldehyde is what the skin uses to make collagen by converting it to Retinoic Acid.

PROTECTION

Most people think protection is a sunscreen. Sunscreens create damage in the skin and have been shown to increase skin cancer rates. Sunblocks like Titanium and Zinc, however, do protect by reflecting UV rays before they penetrate. But the best method of protection actually comes at the cellular level. Antioxidants used in the skin include catalase, L-glutathione, L-superoxide dismutase, Vitamin C and E amongst other ones. We believe that the utilization of ingredients the skin recognizes vastly improves the protection ability. Antioxidants are constantly being used, restored and used again because we are literally in a constant state of inflammation. High dose antioxidants have proven to not only significantly reduce damage in the skin, they actually allow the skin to rebuild itself by shrinking the repair requirements, thus resulting in a thicker, healthier dermis. To make the process most effective, high percentages of these healing actives should be used and adjunctive ingredients like liposomal technology, ensures that they reach their target.

UNDERSTANDING VITAMIN A

Let us be very clear, there is no more important skin ingredient than Vitamin A. The body stores Beta Carotene and Vitamin A (aka Retinol) in the skin for activation whenever it needs to repair itself (which ends up being 24hrs/day). It converts Retinol to Retinaldehyde, which has some activity, and then it converts Retinaldehyde to Retinoic Acid (aka Retin A). Looking at this process, you would naturally think that Retin A is the answer since that is the most active of the group and has the majority of receptors in the skin. The reason that is not true is because retinoic acid requires very careful regulation. The skin has no ability to store retinoic acid so whatever is produced (or applied topically) is utilized. Unfortunately, like many processes in the body, when receptors are over-stimulated, they do not work as well. In the case of Retin A, the irritation resulting from over-stimulation reduces its effectiveness and the downregulation of receptors makes it less active over time. Retinol, on the contrary, can be stored in the skin. It is 1/500th as active as Retin A and has little independent activity outside of what is converted to Retin A by the skin (which is a very small amount). To achieve an adequate response, approximately 5% is needed topically every day. Retinaldehyde is the immediate precursor to Retin A and has been proven to have similar activity in the skin to Retin A. The big advantage is that the skin can store whatever is not converted, thus reducing irritation and maximizing effectiveness with long-term use. Maximum stimulation of collagen/elastin with minimal irritation, that is why Retinaldehyde is the best form of Vitamin A available.

Another important misconception about Retinols is there ability to penetrate the skin. They are a large molecule and often have difficulty penetrating to the dermis where they are needed. To combat this problem, some companies use doses around 5% knowing that at least some of the Retinol will make it into the dermis. The downside of this is that a large part of the retinol sits superficially resulting in over-exfoliation which compromises the skin’s defenses. To effectively penetrate ingredients like Retinaldehyde, the use of liposomal technology can be extremely important. The net result is that there is less exfoliation (irritation) because the ingredient isn’t being activated in the superficial epidermis and there is more collagen/elastin produced because of the now higher levels in the dermis.

*Article credited to Dr. Ben Johnson*

Retinoic acid and all retinols are most effective in their “All Trans” configuration and that is how most Retin A is delivered…that is the good news. The bad news is that the all-trans retinols are significantly more expensive and are (by law) only identified on the label as “All Trans…” (not L-retinol AGP, not Retinyl Palitate, not Retinol/Vitamin A). The other bad news is that All Trans Retin A has a defect in its methodology. Once the skin converts Retinaldehyde to Retinoic Acid, it cannot be converted back into a form of Vitamin A that can be stored. That is why the skin converts only enough to perform the desired function and leaves the rest in storage forms of Retinaldehyde and/or Retinol. If you apply topical Retin A, the skin cannot shut it off which results in two things; irritation from over-stimulation and over-exfoliation, and, a probable tendency for the Retinoic Acid receptors to down-regulate. All Trans Retinoic Acid has by far the most receptors of any form of Vitamin A and that is what makes it so potent. However, chronic stimulation (as is the case for every receptor in the body), results in fewer active receptors and thus diminished results over time. All Trans Retinaldehyde is the best form possible of the choices listed above. In addition to having its own receptor activity, it is the immediate precursor of Retinoic Acid so the skin will convert a significant amount to that form upon application. However, there will never be an over-stimulation problem because the skin regulates the conversion and just makes what it needs. Research has repeatedly shown that Retinaldehyde has a similar activity profile to Retin A but with much less irritation. We still have the same issue of poor penetration, however. By incorporating it into a liposome, we enhance its penetration (an important factor in the use of Retinols because of their size) and help prevent its oxidation which also occurs with all Retinols. Until recently, there was no way to put this extremely expensive ingredient in skincare but, thanks to our lab partnerships, we have been able to bring this exciting ingredient to the professional marketplace.

*Retinaldehyde is found in all the osmosis treatment serums*

*Article credited to Dr. Ben Johnson*

Fibroblasts create collagen, elastin, and GAG’s which are all critical to repairing skin density and the overall look and quality of the skin. In addition, the skin’s activity, repair capabilities and appearance are totally dependent on nutrients, antioxidants and immune support from its blood supply. The more blood supply, the better the health of the skin in every category. The unique ingredients in this serum work better on these issues than any other ingredients on the market. Retinaldehyde- liposome, as an example, is the most active retinol available without prescription. While prescription Retin A can be as effective, it is over-irritating to the skin which adds to the workload and makes it less than optimal. Retinaldehyde-lipsome, on the other hand, is extremely active in generating blood flow and stimulating fibroblasts without the irritation because it penetrates).  Many “anti-aging” products contain peptides. Since our research shows they only plump the skin and have no effect on collagen and elastin, we do not really consider these treatment ingredients. However, we use Argirilene in addition to our 6 collagen stimulators because a little plumping is also nice. We believe that 6 fibroblast stimulators (makers of collagen, elastin, GAG’s) are better than one as we are trying to stimulate collagen in every way possible. Osmosis likes to think of it as “saturating” the skin with remodelers.

Correct / Renew / and  Boost restore dermal thickness, remodels scarring from photodamage, increases skin’s nutrient and immune support, protects skin from UV rays, restores the epidermal barrier, hydrates, normalizes oil, clears acne, reduces fine lines, shrinks pore size.

Correct  (Level one) -  This is the first serum you will use as it has 0.5% retinaldehyde.

Renew  (Level two) – After a couple of months on correct you can begin using renew which is your level two serum and it contains .1% retinaldehyde.

Boost-(Level three) – Boost is the third level and it contains the highest percentage of retinaldehyde at .2%.

*To learn more about retinaldehyde read our next article*

*If you have been using another form of vitamin A for an extended period of time you can begin at level 2 using renew.*

*Article credited to Dr. Ben Johnson*

Additionally, acne sufferers already have scar-proned skin because of all the inflammation so overly aggressive treatments will worsen their scarring. Osmosis’ formula uses purified and highly active oil and bacteria reducers along with calming aryuvedic herbs to provide rapid results that are actually good for the skin.

Acneic skin is constantly attempting to repair itself as most blemishes leave residual scar tissue. The combination of treating acne while repairing acne scars just makes sense. Steroids, Benzoyl Peroxide, antibiotics and some lasers slow remodeling (by depleting antioxidants and/or nutrients from blood supply) thus worsening the potential for scars because they interfere with the natural remodeling process. Osmosis’ unique formula stimulates capillary flow (blood supply), thus feeding the skin its essential nutrients while stimulating fibroblasts for remodeling with Retinaldehyde-liposome. In fact, all of the active ingredients are liposome-coated to penetrate into the skin and through the sebum more effectively. Liposomes have also been shown to reduce oil production and acne by as much as 70% in one month and that is without any other active ingredients being present! While Retin A and other retinols can be used for acne, Retinaldehyde-liposome is the ideal choice for the following reasons; it is readily absorbed by the skin and follicle which does not occur with any other retinol (see Vitamin A info), two, it does not over-stimulate like Retin A which results in redness and irritation, and three, it is approximately 500 times stronger than Retinol and equally as strong as Retin A without irritation. Clarify uses 14 potent blemish-reduducing ingredients (including aryuvedic herbs) that are all liposome coated to penetrate into the follicle and restore the health of the skin.

Clarify Serum clears acne, normalizes oil, shrinks pores, increases skin’s immune support, remodels scarring, hydrates, calms inflammation, protects skin from UV rays, restores epidermal barrier, restores dermal thickness.

*Article credited to Dr. Ben Johnson*

Calm serum and mend serum remodel scar tissue, restores barrier health, calms inflammation, remodels scarring from photodamage, restores dermal thickness, hydrates, protects against UV rays.

*Article credited to Dr. Ben Johnson*

It is quite common for treatments of skin discoloration to have traumatizing ingredients. Logically, knowing that trauma (inflammation) is a leading cause of pigmentation, it makes no sense to use ingredients like Hydroquinone that stimulate pigment (through inflammation) while attempting to lighten it. Ingredients like Arbutin show promise initially, but quickly oxidize in a solution making them much less effective. Additionally, because the skin wants to produce pigment to protect itself, it has shown a great ability to work around the (tyrosinase inhibiting) effects of many lighteners.

Osmosis has developed an exclusive formula that utilizes 12 of the most advanced, natural lightening agents, all of which resist the skin’s efforts to make pigment. By using multiple lightening agents, Enlighten reduces the skin’s ability to work around the tyrosinase inhibitors because each lightener uses a slightly different method on the melanocyte and they all work together with great synergy. The results are phenomenal. It quickly evens skin tone and fades hyperpigmentation while promoting skin health restoration.

The powerful activity of Enlighten is due to a skin remodeling ingredient (Retinaldehyde-liposome), multiple antioxidants and many lighteners (including Paper Mulberry) working synergistically to normalize skin tones. The nano-sized liposomes coating every active ingredient enhance penetration while protecting these delicate lighteners from oxidation. Our nano-liposome technology protects all 12 of the actives including Paper Mulberry (which was shown to be 10 times more potent than Hydroquinone) and dramatically improves penetration to their target, the melanocyte. It is also safe for use with pregnanc

ENLIGHTEN is serum created by Osmosis that dramatically lightens the skin, using liposome-coated tyrosinase inhibitors.  This serum also remodels scar tissue, restores barrier health, calms inflammation, remodels scarring from photodamage, restores dermal thickness, hydrates, protects against UV rays…one serum.

*Article credited to Dr. Ben Johnson*

“First do no harm” is associated with the Hippocratic Oath and it is a philosophy that seems to have been forgotten in traditional skincare. Sadly, skin care that uses artificial ingredients, especially colors, fragrances and preservatives, is creating inflammation in the skin that makes it harder to repair because the skin’s resources are being diverted to deal with the newly created inflammation instead of working on existing damage. Additionally, many of the ingredients used are also designed to “exfoliate” (aka “burn”) off the protective epidermal barrier which is also harmful and inflammation-promoting. Osmosis is an all-natural, artificial preservative (paraben), color and fragrance free line that is specifically designed to calm (not cause) inflammation while maintaining epidermal integrity to maximize and focus the skin’s repair efforts on pre-existing conditions without creating new ones.

Ingredient penetration is the next emphasis of Osmosis and it should be the first question anyone asks about their skin care line. There is significant research showing that most skin care has a penetration rate of 2%. Many people think that acidic creams and serums penetrate better but that is not true according to independent studies which means 98% of all of the ingredients out there are wasted if a line does not have an effective absorption strategy. Osmosis has the most advanced delivery system available, phosphatidylcholine liposomes (the same material is in our skin’s cell walls), which are proven in research to increase penetration 1000%. This is even more exciting when you read about how many remodeling and repairing ingredients we are putting into the skin. Again, we are able to do this with an ingredient that is recognized by the skin and restores barrier health while providing remarkable penetration support.

Aging and many skin conditions are worsened by the decline in blood flow that tends to start in our mid-twenties. Blood flow is the skin’s only source of food and immune support (antioxidants, enzymes, proteins, lipids, immune cells). Osmosis uses 8 different dermal stimulators and other ingredients which work with the skin to increase circulation and nutrient supply. The other shortage that occurs with loss of blood flow is in our protective antioxidant base… as we get older, we receive fewer antioxidants to protect us. Osmosis utilizes the skin’s strongest and most active antioxidants (17 of them) to keep the focus on repair and remodeling of existing conditions by reducing free radical damage seen daily through environmental, food and sun related trauma.

Due to the large number of expensive ingredients and our patented formulas, it was necessary to form a partnership with our lab to keep the price of Osmosis very affordable. This was a huge hurdle to overcome as the skin care industry has built-in middle-man pricing that forces many lines to water-down their products. We have resolved this problem and are happy to share the savings with you.

To summarize, Osmosis is cruelty free, paraben free, artificial fragrance, color and additive free. We are water soluble, plant based and use more active ingredients per serum than any other line in the world. Our ingredients are chirally corrected (whenever possible) and heavily researched with many of them having numerous published research articles supporting their efficacy. As can be expected (when research is involved), many of our ingredients are the most expensive in the world. Osmosis innovative lab partnership brings affordability to the line. We target the dermis because that is the only place that significant aging occurs. We protect the epidermis (this is extremely rare in today’s skin care market) because that is critical to the health and efficiency of the skin. Also, better than anyone else in the world, we penetrate these wonderful ingredients into the deep epidermis and dermis so that they can go to work to restore your skin’s beauty, youth and luster.

This product line is well ahead of its time and the proof is in the results we witness everyday at SKN Clinic.   It is the only product line that we have found that can create positive change in the skin without any negative side effects.  It uses natural active substances that our skin needs and craves.  To learn more about this product line we provide complimentary one hour consultation at SKN Clinic in Yaletown.