Pre and post cosmetic surgery
Basically the concept and philosophy our International team goes by is more important than products being used although our formulas are of course tools with which to practice the concept effectively.
The concept being, that the cells of human skin do not positively react to any chemical(s) they do not recognize. The cells of the skin will react in a positive and correct manner when confronted with similar chemistry to that which they manufacture on their own naturally. For any positive result a chemical ionization has to take place.
In many cases actions evoked by opposite and equal reactions are necessary with the temporary contra-indications of erythema, weeping and even scabbing. However even these reactions are considered desirable in cases of radical skin revision of sun damaged or post acne skin.
Most traumas of the skin stimulate the three main defense mechanisms; Excess cuticle build up of redundant epithelial cells, excess melanocyte activity and excess dehydration from over-stimulation of the secretive glands and finally the bilayer moisture levels. Many traumas come from a violent reaction of the skin receptors due to aggressive outside forces i.e. chemical, photo damage to corporal attack. When skin cells are forced to proliferate faster than their normal rhythm of development the result is scarred skin, whether it be controlled as in the case of chemical peeling or accidental.
However, when skin is burdened with years of cuticle build up, all the underlying processes slow down, contributing to an aging syndrome. Continued lack of support to skin cells thus burdened results in solar elastosis, triggered by the sun, but not totally a result of solar insult to the cell.
Therefore, the Danné method of skin revision is focused not only on the removal of redundant dead cell protein but the rebuilding of cells that are left behind after removal treatments are performed.
The simple philosophy is “Remove and Rebuild”.
Removal system
In this category we find the word “peel” a misnomer, even though it may be printed on a formula container as a popular name practitioners relate to. The word “peel” suggests the human skin be likened to an onion, layers that can be peeled off systematically revealing forever-youthful skin underneath. Skin as viewed under a microscope, cross-sectioned, appears as a series of hills and valleys – old cells and new cells constantly changing and inter-connected.
It would be impossible to define where one layer of skin began and the other left off to insure a non-traumatising and even peeling procedure. Chemical peels and laser vaporization never leave the skin cells in the same pattern as normal. There is always a trade-off with these procedures. There is no trade-off with the DMK procedures. Despite gross epilation, erythema and weeping in some instances, the skin always returns to normal and the revisions are obvious and progressive.
We have based this phenomenon on the analogy of viewing a woman of eighty years of age in a swimming costume. Her wrinkles and discoloured skin appears in many cases to end at the breast bone whilst the upper tissue to the areola appears much creamier and texture – usually five to ten years younger looking that her face and back of hands.
We recognize this radical difference in skin tone to be the result of coverage by clothing while the face and hands are exposed to free radicals, sun damage and pollutants.
The point of this analogy is if the breast tissue is so much younger, then this proves the body is willing to provide newly proliferated cells at any time if not confronted by opposition. This suggests that the face and hands can also be returned to the same status quo if prior damage is removed and the living cells are surrounded with the maximum environment necessary to maintain cell life to its fullest potential.
Enzymes
For thirty-eight years we have been using sophisticated enzymic preparations to hydrolyze dead and dying cells from the skin. As nature’s biological catalysts, enzymes containing RNA and other proteins alleviate dead cells and other impurities by reverse osmosis. Enzymes also orchestrate other chemical actions in the skin, bringing about total hydrolyzation progressively, which eliminates gases, effluvia and impurities leaving behind a clear, white substance surrounding the cells that are still alive. Of all DMK treatments, enzyme therapy is probably the most effective and least contraindicative way to revise skin over long periods of time. Tightening and toning of the skin is observed after the very first treatments. Striations of peripheral capillaries are also observed for one half hour to forty-five minutes, which indicate blood bringing oxygen to the skin’s mitochondria-creating a flush of ATP activity and then carrying off impurities, and leaving behind a clean toxin free matrix.
There is also a systematic action brought on by DMK treatments that is allergy free due to the natural proteins and plant extracts that are selected as compatible with the human body. Allergy levels have been so low over thirty years as to be practically non-existent.
We do recognize however, that there may be some persons who are allergic to even pure and natural chemicals and may need testing. In the case of a positive reaction we have many alternative treatment choices.
PH Adjustment
There are three formula applications that are used as regular dead cell removal that can dramatically alter the pH of the skin to obtain a quick reaction. These applications take only moments to work and are controlled so that the normal pH is established at the conclusion of the treatment. In certain instances a lactic acid compound blended well into a methycellulose base is applied which takes the pH to a low 3.2 on the pH scale. This formula is compounded with a natural pseudo-heat extract that encourages a purging effect via the capillaries. The low pH hardens dead cell material to a point where it is detached from the main epidermal bed and is flushed from the skin.
An opposite formula, mainly used in female acne cases where vellus hair is present with the pustules and papules and hypotrpic scars. This formulation takes the skin’s Ph temporarily up to 12Ph.
Hair and surface skin cells desquamate in three-four minutes thus relieving the pustules without any pressure or squeezing. This treatment is ideal in cases of impacted hair follicles but can also be used in scar revision treatments and pigmentation disorders. Again, the skin is quickly restored to a normal pH after the treatment to avoid continued desquamation and alkaline burns.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
In 1988, we introduced this medium to Europe and Asia, long before the commercial wave began and even before most people were aware that such a product existed. At that time Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) were just another tool to use in our kit of pharmacopoeia – not a mainstream treatment and hardly a medium with which to build entire cosmetic treatment ranges around.
We did not follow the same paths of research as many other companies, uplifting glycolic acid as the premier ingredient. While we realise that glycolic acid does indeed posses the smallest molecule in the AHA family, penetration is not the only influence on the skin, there are other receptors that create action within the epidermis such as the ganglia, peripheral capillaries and the ecrine system. In addition, we have a resurfacing protocol entitled RP that rebuilds and removes at the same time—actually installing more fibroblast activity at the site of application. Our intense research into the world of retinoids has yielded a formula that is ideal to build and tighten crepy and thin skins of ageing patients. This can be performed anywhere on the body.
Rather than depending upon the unpredictable glycolic acid we have, worked out a blend and a series of serums that would allow the practitioner to customize their treatment according to client need and based on the fact that the face, neck, decollate and hands are rather like a landscape with varying surfaces that require different treatment – not a one dimensional surface that would respond to one formula.
There is a lot of controversy surrounding glycolic acid, many companies claiming to offer a “different” type of glycolic product. Actually, to the chemist there is only one type, but it can be slightly altered with buffers and so-called neutralisers thus providing a cosmetic grade and an industrial grade. The industrial grade gives the best results but is very unpredictable and has a habit of wandering indiscriminate throughout the various hills and valleys of the skin creating, “hot spots” or other irritations.
In 1987, we formulated a blend of four Alpha Hydroxy Acids, which compounded malic, lactic, glycolic and citric acids in a low level serum with a pH of 3.1. In addition we formulated a booster serum modeled after the Jessner’s solution with a modified base for physicians.
Thirdly we formulated a neutralizing or “buffering” peel solution from a natural sea plankton methycellulose. These three mediums provide the practitioner with the total control to customise their serum applications, thereby removing the confusion over which glycolic acid to use – buffered, neutralized or non-neutralised. This also placed our practitioners beyond the hype of manufacturing companies who used the controversy about “which glycolic is best” as an advertising gimmick.
Our research since then has shown that AHA, when used in conjunction with enzymic treatments does much more than merely remove the “glue” that holds cells together as alleged by manufacturers. There is also dried sebum wax and pre-deposited fats clogging the openings and voids in the epidermis. Our Pro Alpha Serums dissolve this debris progressively, many times “pushing” tiny wax plugs in the pores to the surface of the skin visibly to the naked eye! AHA are hygroscopic acids, they use available moisture contained in the epidermal strata. This creates a swelling up of dead cells, much like miniature balloons, until they burst and detach from the skin. There is also some evidence that the desmosome contacts between adjacent keratinocytes are dissolved, allowing maximum new cell proliferation.
AHA belongs in the hands of trained practitioners only. Based on it’s hydrolytic action, frequent use of cremes or other cosmetics containing even minute amounts of AHA will eventually deplete not only surface moisture in the epidermis but will draw upon the bilayer of moisture, using up the skin’s last reservoir of fluids. The user will eventually look very dehydrated although initial usage will actually create a rosy, plumped up look to the skin for a few weeks. This effect is misleading.
Post treatments by a DMK therapist or nurse are necessary to re-establish the bilayer activity and the acid mantle of the epidermis. Medical opinion is that one to six of the Pro Alpha AHA and enzyme treatments per year, with 4-6 week intervals, will give the same radical exfoliation effects of the conventional TCA/Phenol medical peels or laser vaporising – without the accompanying side effects, contraindications, discomfort, long convalescence period and unnatural configuration of surface skin (controlled scar).
REBUILD
Collagen proliferation requires vitamin C as the precursor to the amino acid chain that initiates the production of tropocollagen via the fibroblasts – hence the importance of citric acid as an AHA ingredient, but more important is the introduction of absorbable vitamin C’s into the skin using our exclusive, 30-year-old transdermal crème base.
The acid mantle has to be augmented daily since it is the only natural moisturizer. We have imitated nature by providing the skin with topical applications of a fractionized oil resembling sebum and an aqueous spray resembling sudoriferous secretion (sweat). Ordinary crèmes do not moisturize, only lubricate unless formulated transdermally.
Home prescriptives are essential for progressive results of professional treatment. These home prescriptives will vary based on ethnic origin and specific skin disorders. The physician or practitioner prescribes these home prescriptive formulas in the same manner a GP will prescribe an antibiotic for strep throat.
The patient will find it easier to accept a total change of their former cosmetic regimen when confronted with this prescription method of the correct home-use formulas as opposed to being “sold” a skin care range after their treatment. The patient must commit to the home prescriptive programs. If they do not, then the treatments will be aborted by ordinary commercial home use products no matter how well they are manufactured.
PROTECT
Lastly we must address the increasing danger from sun radiation, which is compromising the races of people pre-disposed to natural sun protection (i.e., Black, Hispanic, Asian etc.).
It took years of research to develop a transdermal sunblock that gave 30 SPF protection without being greasy or uncomfortable for the patient to wear on a daily basis. Our transdermal block was recognised by a Norwegian skiing team during the last Winter Olympics as superior to all other sunblocks.
The DMK Transdermal Sun Block also is compatible with all other DMK home prescriptives and is essential during post Pro Alpha AHA treatments to avoid any hyperpigmentation potential.
We have provided the physician and health practitioner with the most advanced and practical approach to skin revision in the world to date. We are aware that many of our concepts have been imitated over a period of time but our pioneering ventures have not gone unrecognised.
In our opinion there is no substitute for nature. We do not observe acne, aging, or hyper-pigmented skin disorders as a natural phenomenon, but rather as an unnatural manifestation of skin that is attempting to function in a healthy manner but is stopped from doing so by a variety of internal and external influences not conducive to healthy skin.
We have provided concept, formula, education and protocol to assist the skin and the body to maintain it’s cell-life programming. Our colleague Dr. Thomas Smith of the International Clinics of Biological Regeneration says it best; “Human cells are not really programmed for death, they are designed to attempt to stay alive for as long as possible.”