Union of Cosmetology and Science

Unlike internal organs, which function in comfortable conditions with constant humidity, temperature, chemical composition of the environment, practical absence of harmful factors, mechanical influences and other inconveniences, the skin is located on the border of two worlds: cozy, warm and quiet inner world of the organism and constantly changing, full of dangers of the outside world. Occupying such strategically important position, the skin is compelled to be not only the defender of all other organs, but also a sensitive sensor, reacting to the slightest changes of both external and internal environment.

In recognition of danger and response to it, both the central mechanisms (brain, visual, auditory, olfactory analyzers) and numerous local watch posts in tissues and organs participate. And where else to be the most important guard posts, how not on the border with the hostile world, that is, in the skin and of course, after the skin has perceived the alarm, it is simply obliged to send information to the central command posts, danger threatens the whole organism. If our hand accidentally touches a sharp object, we will pull it back reflexively, because the pain receptors located in our skin will recognize the danger before we realize it with our minds, and it will send the muscle to the muscles before we have time to think about it. Many are afraid of insects, but even those who are not afraid of them will immediately drop the bug with the hand, feeling the tickling of its legs, because the sensitive nerves located on the skin have already sent a signal to the brain. Thus, there is no doubt that the skin and the brain, at least through the sensitive and motor nerves are closely interrelated.

Logic suggests that similar relationships should exist between the brain and other guard posts of the skin. The cells of the immune system are activated in response to penetration of the pathogen or malignant degeneration of the skin cells, and melanocytes that ensure that the skin is not damaged by UV radiation, and the keratinocytes, of which the skin mainly consist, somehow inform the brain of how, that they are affected by a damaging factor. And on the contrary, if the danger signal has come to the central points (visual or auditory analyzers, the brain), it must be sent to the skin so that it prepares for protection.

So the body has a set of various adaptations, with the help of them it notices changes in the external environment and adapts to them. Since the organism is a single entity, all structures responsible for responding to external changes and for adapting to them must be closely interrelated. Studies of recent years make scientists more and more convinced that this is the case - the skin, which is not only a barrier between the external and internal environment, but also the "face" of the organism, its window to the outside world, actively interacts with virtually all systems of the body and itself is under their influence. And this means that it is possible to effectively solve skin problems, only taking into account its relationship with all other organs, including with the brain, with the psyche or, if you will, the soul of the client.

Such an approach, which is natural and the only possible for Eastern doctors, is still foreign to Western doctors. It so happened that in the West another principle of treating diseases is applied, when the organism is divided into organs and systems of organs, with each system of organs being handled by a narrow specialist. In the West, doctors are trying to decompose the disease into separate symptoms, with which they then fight. In the East, the so-called holistic (ie, integrated) approach to diseases is traditionally adopted, when it is not so important to the doctor how the disease manifests itself, the main thing is that the disease exists, and we need to find a way to return the organism to its normal state. Therefore, the doctor analyzes the harmful effects to which the body is exposed, determines whether there is a deficit (or excess) of vital substances, what the patient's state of mind is, and many other factors. Having identified possible causes of imbalance, the doctor eliminates them, and then applies methods aimed at activating their own protective and restorative forces of the body. That is, if a Western physician seeks to cure a particular disease (even if treatment results in damage to other organs), the oriental physician sees his task in restoring health. It is not known whether the holistic principles will soon come to traditional medicine (doctors are extremely conservative), but nothing prevents them from being applied in cosmetology practice.

The traditional approach in cosmetology is similar to the traditional approach in medicine. There is a problem - it means that it must be eliminated. For example, if the skin is dry, it should be greased with grease so that it retains moisture (even if it's not the fat that the skin needs). If the skin has wrinkles, we need to smooth them (at any cost). If there are pigment spots, bleaching agents should be used (even if they are toxic). "and there is inflammation, it is necessary to apply antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory Kinship (even if they have side effects).

Approaching any cosmetic defect with holistic positions, we say one hundred - there is a problem, then something in the skin goes wrong, for some reason its mechanisms of protection and adaptation have failed. Our task is to analyze the factors that can have harmful effects on the skin and, if possible, eliminate them. And we must be prepared for the fact that the search for these factors can lead us to problems in the digestive system or to the secret depths of the psyche. Unlike methods aimed at eliminating individual symptoms, methods of holistic medicine do not provide a quick solution to the problem. But they can not only eliminate the cosmetic defect, but also restore harmony between the skin and the body.

Modern science provides us with enough facts to understand how the skin's defense systems function and how they are related to other systems of the body. It is important that the skin, like other organs and tissues, is capable of responding to danger, not only to protect from it and adapt to it, but also to heal itself, to eliminate damage caused by harmful factors. Throughout life there are two processes simultaneously - the accumulation of damage caused by an aggressive external environment, and the elimination of them (repair and regeneration). Particularly vividly the possibilities of the internal healing power of the body shows the placebo effect, when recovery comes because of a firm belief painful in the healing power of the new medication. And as information on how the unique mechanism of recovery and self-healing of the skin works, how does it adapt to harmful influences and what causes failures in this perfect mechanism, there is more and more means of careful intelligent influence on the skin in the hands of cosmetologists.

It has now become apparent that carrying out intensive cosmetic procedures without considering the general condition of the skin and body can lead to the most deplorable consequences. On the contrary, the competent application of general procedures (along with methods of local effect on the skin) allows to multiply the effect of local effects. Modern knowledge has allowed to "rediscover" such time-tested methods of restoring harmony of the body, such as massage (manual and vacuum), acupressure, mud therapy, water procedures, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, etc., improving their technique and expanding their capabilities, and develop completely new methods of complex impact, aimed ultimately at restoring health. So, in its desire to preserve and restore the beauty of the body, cosmetology is coming closer to the ideal of holistic medical - the restoration of health and harmony through the activation of inner healing power, the power of Nature.

The cosmetology and science union would be perfect if the cosmetics had no partner that has been accompanying it since time immemorial - commerce. Because of the fact that cosmetics is a commodity, almost all the information about it, available to the consumer, is abundantly flavored with advertising. Yes, cosmetic production is now intensively using knowledge about the skin, obtained as a result of serious scientific research. Yes, many cosmetic ingredients are really capable of changing the skin for the better, slowing down its aging, protecting from damage. Yes, there is cosmetics, which really acts as stated in its annotation. But at the same time there are many cosmetic means, buying which the buyer acquires first illusions and hopes, then, at best, disappointments, and at worst - new problems.