Prescripted and personalised: dermaviduals helps NZ’s netballers cope with premature skin ageing

Its product range include creams, gels, lotions, self-tanner, make-up, serum, moisturiser and masks, and are distributed to 400 clinics in Australia and New Zealand by derma aesthetics Australasia.

Athlete concern​

According to Reika Roberts, co-founder of derma aesthetics Australasia, some of the common skin conditions associated with netballers include premature ageing, higher risk for skin cancers due to UV radiation exposure, inflammation, sensitive and reactive skin, as well as blemished skin.

Other skin conditions include fast trans-epidermal water loss (loss of water from the skin due to perspiring), impaired barrier function as a result of physical and mental stressors, and histamine overload.

Roberts told CosmeticsDesign-Asia​, premature ageing was a common condition amongst outdoor sports players contributed by UV radiation exposure, as well as the physical and mental stressors placed on the body during high intensity exercise.

“This leads to a massive amount of oxidative stress in the body and can result in the breakdown of collagen and elastin proteins overtime. Collagen and elastin are responsible for the skin’s shape, resilience, density and integrity​.”

In addition, high stress levels can also induce cortisol release (stress hormone) which can result in blemished skin such as acne.

Another compound released in stressful situations is histamine, an inflammatory mediator which regulates gut function, acts as a neurotransmitter, and is involved in inflammatory response.

Roberts explained an overabundance of histamine in the body would have a negative effect on the digestive tract, vascular system, immune system, nervous system and the skin.

“Histamine intolerance is dose related and cannot be measured. Every individual will have their own limit of tolerance and this will accumulate daily depending on stress, dysbiosis, allergies, medications, diet (caffeine, alcohol, drugs), seasons (pollens, temperature) and hormones​,” Roberts said.

Science and sports​

dermaviduals is a prescription and personalised skin care brand.

Roberts added:  “Just like fingerprints, every skin is unique. No two Silver Fern’s have the same fingerprint or skin so it’s imperative to invest in a skin care line that is designed to be tailored made for you to treat any skin condition or concern​.”

The concept of dermaviduals is based on corneotherapy, which is the treatment of the skin focusing on repairing and maintaining the outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis.

The dermaviduals range was first developed in Germany in 1994 by Dr Hans Lautenschläger, and manufactured by KOKO Kosmetikvertrieb GmbH & Co. KG.

In addition, conventional skin care products typically contain emulsifiers which result in barrier disturbance, making penetration of active ingredients less effective.

dermaviduals base creams and gels are free from emulsifiers, allowing therapists and practitioners to individually adapt creams, masks, packs and lotions with active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin A, and C to treat and correct skin conditions.

In addition to emulsifiers, they are also free from fragrances, preservatives, parabens, silicones, amines and colours.

Roberts said: “As part of our support to the NZ Silver Ferns we have carried out individual skin consultations prior to them using their bespoke skin care products​.

“We hope to support ​the ‘teams skins’ from stress and environmental issues, but at the same time, educate the community to live a healthy lifestyle with healthy skin​.”