Is Your Body’s Roof in Need of Repair? Corneotherapy Can Help.
Speaking of roof repair may seem a little odd in an article about skin. But if you think about it, a major function of the complex and magnificent organ we call skin, is to act like a roof to our bodies. It keeps the good in and the bad out. If the roof of our home was in disrepair, over time rot and mould would spread, bugs and rodents would get in and sooner than later you’d have a big problem on your hands.
The same is true for our skin. If the first line of defence in the skin barrier (the roof) is a damaged, we often don't notice. We may not worry about a little bit of redness or an uneven texture. It is subtle, but over time may have a considerable impact on the health and appearance of our skin. It can affect how well it fairs the challenges of time, or worse, can become a challenging skin condition such as dermatitis or rosacea.
In the beauty industry, there is a tendency to treat the symptoms of an impaired skin barrier with the use of exfoliants. This doesn’t address the underlying problem of the "damaged roof" and can compound the problem when not utilized correctly.
So, what can you do? The solution is straight forward but must be intentional.
A corneotherapist will approach a corrective treatment plan by first recommending a basic skincare routine based on repairing the skin barrier. Cleansing and moisturizing products containing bio-identical lipids with a 1 to 1 to 1 ratio of ceramides, cholesterol, and triglycerides will support and maintain a healthy acid mantle. These ingredients will also help the body to create a solid, well-compacted stratum corneum—the outermost skin cells—or “the shingles on the roof.” 
It is essential to look for these bio-identical lipids in your skincare products for effective skin barrier support. It is equally important to choose products free from emulsifiers, preservatives, synthetic fragrances, mineral oil and amines. These ingredients do nothing to restore the skin barrier but actually work to break down and disrupt it. Simply choosing the correct cleanser and moisturizer will have a profound impact on the health and appearance of your skin. When the skin barrier is healthy and intact, we can move on to restoring lost vitamins and antioxidants which minimize oxidative stress and repair damaged cells.
Advanced modalities such as face-lift massage, low-level light therapy and micro-needling, work on regenerating collagen and elastin in the skin. These techniques in combination with the proper products will have your body’s roof the envy of the neighborhood.
With proper skin barrier care, you will experience genuinely healthy and beautiful skin for the long term. With the multitude of products available and the influence of trends in the industry, it is more important than ever to work with a professional skin therapist who has the education and knowledge not only in skin physiology, but an understanding of cosmetic chemistry.
With Smiles
Meredith