Osmosis’ StemFactor uses stem cell technology in a different way because we are not using the actual stem cells in a bottle. Instead we use a combination of stem cells (IPS and Mesenchymal) and fibroblast cells that we feed and nourish to stimulate the production of growth factors. Human stem cells and fibroblasts make over 150 different growth factors that are naturally found in your skin. As we get older, the number of growth factors declines which affects new cell formation, skin nutrition and immune repair activity, all of which are critical to keeping our skin young. Osmosis is the only company offering the combination of cells mentioned, giving us the greatest diversity and potency in growth factors through Osmosis’ StemFactor that has liposomal delivery of these rejuvenating growth factors.

Other companies offer individual growth factors made by bacteria that distort healthy skin by over-emphasizing a particular response in the skin. This can lead to increases in cancer cell formation, but more often it simply reduces the skin’s ability to perform effective repair. Many companies are touting plant stem cells as a way to rejuvenate the skin. This does not make physiologic sense. The skin is not going to convert from a foreign plant cell into human tissue of any kind. Animal stem cells and/or DNA from animal sources also suffer the same fate of being considered an intruder more than a savior. The other issue with both animal and plant stem cells is the viability of the material. All cells are very fragile and are unable to withstand the stresses of harvesting, shipping and manufacturing.

StemFactor sets itself apart because it communicates to our cells in the language they understand. The process of gathering the growth factors has been perfected to maximize the stability and penetration while giving the skin the tools it needs in a balanced fashion. You will find its benefits include helping acne, rosacea, aging and hyperpigmentation because it strengthens our skin’s immune system… which improves all skin conditions!

By Dr. Ben Johnson

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*

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*

Since I started working here at SKN, (I am the in house makeup artist, as well as working reception) I now see the light. I have always been into taking care of my skin, I wash my face every night and have tried every night cream under the sun. But until working here and being surrounded by the positive influence of the amazing and talented staff, I realize now…that I need a skin care plan too. If I want beautiful, healthy skin, I need to work at it. I need to honor a consistent plan and take action, much like I need to do with fitness. I need to protect and maintain this wonderful (yet challenging) organ.  As we age, our cell turn over slows down, thus producing wrinkles. However, along with regular treatments, (that are ever changing, depending on what the skin needs) I can keep my skin looking great throughout the years.

Now think of cosmecuticals as food for your skin. You need to feed your skin the proper nutrients it needs in order for it to fully produce the desired results. Just like fitness, you can’t expect to have an amazing body, while you eat KFC every night.  So with a little commitment and a plan, we can have strong healthy bodies, and beautiful skin, that ages with grace and dignity!

I have had the opportunity to try the cosmeceuticals lines we have here, such as Jadience, Seaflora and the newest addition Osmosis. These lines are amazing and will nicely fit into any skin care plan.

If you are looking to start a personalized skin care plan, SKN can help. Feel free to call us and make an appointment with our newest addition to the SKN team, Amy Chalmers.  Amy is a Cosmetic Dermal Specialist and Trainer as well. She just moved back to Canada after living and working in Austrailia, where she gained numerous industry qualifications, recognized at both a national and international level. Amy is beyond qualified and we are thrilled to have her here. Amy can sit down with you and address any skin concerns, head to toe…and get you on YOUR PLAN!

“Your skin is like a mirror – it reflects everything that is going on within your body and mind. Pay attention to keeping your mind, body and emotions balanced, and the results will show up as a clear, glowing complexion.” -This is a quote I recently heard and I really liked the message. It’s so true, we get so caught up in the hussle and bustle of our daily lives, we don’t even realize that our stress levels are affecting our immune system, AND the body’s biggest organ-SKIN!  Stress  puts a damper on the body’s digestive system and interferes with the ability to absorb proper nutrients. So we need to reduce our stress levels and work on staying positive,  But if you don’t have time to meditate the stress away for 3 hours at a budist temple (which I’ve done and is amazing btw). There are small, day to day steps you can do to help achieve and maintain that glowing skin…oh and stress levels too:)

1. DIET: A balanced diet and proper eating habits help keep the body and mind performing at optimal levels. I try to eat unprocessed foods. I am also aware of the eat for your skin diet, which includes foods like Salmom, blue berries, nuts and seeds, leafy greens, sprouts, wheat grasses,etc.

2. SLEEP: We hear it all the time, but it is so important. Do whatever you need to do to get relaxed so you can sleep better. I try to do a quick half hour yoga session before bed. Check out www.eoinfinnyoga.com He has a “quickie” lesson you can download for free.

3. EXCERCISE: Here too, it’s whatever works for you. I love running, yoga, hiking. I do some at home workout videos if i’m really inspired. I find morning  to be the best time to excersise, you wake up, get it done and feel great all day.  Being outside, in nature at least a few times a week will definitely help with stress. We live in such a beautiful city, we have endless outdoor adventure possibilities.

4. DE-STRESS. Deep breaths, all is well in your world. Life really is a gift. Take some time for yourself and de-stress. It could mean a yoga class, a walk by the beach, a glass of wine with a girlfriend, popcorn and movie, or buying a new pair of shoes.

Here at SKN, we want to aid in your quest for a zen state of mind, we want you to radiate the light that you are. Book a facial this Good Friday (april 2) and receive a  complimentary Seaflora product of choice. Give us a call at 604-568-6333

HAPPY DE-STRESSING!!

Saturated Fats: These fats are not your friend  and include vegetable fats such as Crisco, lard, animal fats and butter.  Too much of these fats can cause heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and ovarian and breast cancer.   This type of fat leads to inflammation which increases the aging process.  Limit yourself to one serving a week of beef, veal, pork or lamb.

Polyunsaturated / Trans fats: Polyunsaturated fats are your best friend if they come from fish and your enemy if they come from vegeatble sources and include corn oil, safflower oil, and canola oil.  When these fats are processed by chemically adding  hydrogen to extend the shelf life foods that contain them, they produce solid trans fatty acids.  These are the most damaging of all.  Trans fats are produced commercially to turn vegetable oils in shortening and margarine.   For all you BECEL lovers please do your research BUTTER is much better for you.  Becel is your one way ticket to the doctor, unfortunately doctors are still telling their patients it is a healthy choice.   Just because they added olive oil to the newest becel still does not make it healthy.

Polyunsaturated fats from fish: Salmon is the richest source of essential fatty acids and we have only begun to discover the powers of salmon.  Be cautious though as to what type of salmon your are consuming, it must be wild not farmed.  I also highly recommend taking a liquid fish oil supplement.  The essential fatty acids found in salmon slow down the aging process both internally and externally.  Polyunsaturated fatty acids play a crucial role in the bodily processes in which dietary fats are our major cellular energy source.

The essential fatty acids, like omega 3 and omega 6, offer a wide range of health benefits.  They have heart protective effects and can lower blood pressure and decrease the chance of blood clots.  Small amounts of fish in the diet can lower risk of colon, breast and prostate cancer.  Doctors have found that the pain and inflammation of severe rheumatoid arthritis is reduced be omega 3′s.

Brain function is tied to our essential fatty acid intake.  Deficiencies of DHA can lead to ADHD, increased aggression and a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s later in life.   Low omega 3 intake has also been linked to psychological problems, including depression, bipolar disorders, post-par-tum depression, and suicidal tendencies.

We could all use some “Salmon Therapy” to keep us functionally optimally on a psychological, emotional and cognitive level.   Let’s not forget the anti-aging beauty benefits as well.  The only side effects associated with “Salmon Therapy” are younger, firmer skin, greater cognitive skills and the lifting of depression.

Special thanks to Dr. Perricone for sharing his incredible knowledge with all of us in his books.  I encourage you to go pick up the Perricone Prescription.   It is a breath of fresh air when you find a world renowned dermatologist who believes and understand the power of natural medicine.

SEVEN DANGERS OF COKE & PEPSI (SOFT DRINKS)

For those of you who LOVE Coke/Pepsi. Just when you thought you knew everything.

1) To clean a toilet:

Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl.
Let the “real thing” sit for one hour, then flush clean.
The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.
No scrubbing, no sweat – guaranteed.

2) To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers:

Rub the bumper with a crumpled-up piece of aluminum foils dipped in Coca-Cola.
Much economical than the stuff from Smart Shop.

3) To clean corrosion from car battery terminals;

Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

4) To loosen a rusted bolt;

Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

5) To remove grease from clothes;

Empty a can of Coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle.
6) The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

Hey, what do we have here?

The world’s first soft drink disguise as a multi-purpose cleaner? Or should it be a multi-purpose cleaner disguise as a soft drink!!!

Besides that, If you pour Coke (yes, the soda) on a slab of pork, wait a little while, you will SEE WORMS crawl out of it.

AND WE DRINK THIS STUFF! Coke & Pepsi ALARMING FACTS!!!

The average pH of soft drinks, e.g. Coke, Pepsi is pH 3.4. This acidity is strong enough to dissolve teeth and bones! Our human body stops building bones at around the age of 30. After that it’ll be dissolving about 8-18% of the bones each year through the urine, depending on the acidity of the food intake (acidity does not depend on the taste of the food, but on the ratio of potassium / calcium / magnesium / etc. to phosphorus).

All the dissolved calcium compounds accumulate in the arteries, veins, skin tissue, and organs. This affects the functioning of the kidney (kidney stones). Soft drinks do not have any nutritional value (in terms of vitamins and minerals). They have higher sugar content, higher acidity, and more additives such as preservatives and colourings.

Some people like to take cold soft drinks after each meal, guess what’s the impact? Our body has an optimum temperature of 37 degrees for the functioning of digestive enzymes. The temperature of cold soft drinks is much less than 37, sometimes quite close to 0. This will lower the effectiveness of the enzymes and put stress on the digestive system, digesting less food. In fact the food gets fermented. The fermented food produce bad smelling gases, decays and forms toxins, which are absorbed in the intestines, get circulated in the blood and is delivered to the whole body. This spread of toxins can lead to the development of various diseases. Think before you drink Coke or Pepsi or any another soft drinks.

Thanks to http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-810.0.html for posting these dangers. There is a whole host of information out there to support the health risks associated with coca cola, Pepsi and all other soft drinks. Have a glass of water your body will love you for it.