DEFINITION:   

Sensitive & Sensitized skin types and conditions have become one of the most common skin concerns among people today. A sensitive skin type is genetic; while sensitized skin – also known as reactive skin – is based on several external factors.

Understanding Sensitive & Sensitized Skin

Sensitive skin: usually has genetic origins and is redness-prone with red flushes. For sensitive skin, the slightest irritation or provocation can cause a flare up at any time. A reaction may be caused by allergies, pollution, chemical irritants, illness, extreme temperatures, and other unsuitable environmental conditions. The higher histamine levels in the body can make sensitive skin more susceptible to inflammatory conditions like psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema. The visible signs of sensitive skin include chronic redness, dermatitis, chafing, broken veins and fine broken capillaries.

Sensitized skin: also known as ‘reactive skin’, is usually self-induced. Sensitized skin can also occur from pre-existing conditions, which can be undiagnosed or untreated, such as acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis and allergies to foods such as gluten and dairy.  The use of harsh chemical cosmetics, make-up, too many harsh professional skin treatments which strip the natural hydrolipid barrier, medicine, diet and hormones, are all major contributing factors. When allergens come into contact with intolerant skin, the body issues a full-blown immune response, releasing antibodies to attack the offending substance which results in visible reddening and inflammation of the skin.

Targeted Solutions:

Treating a sensitive or sensitized (reactive) skin comes down to ingredient formulations which focus specifically on the prevention of inflammation, protecting the natural hydrolipid barrier (acid mantle), reducing free radicals and restoring the skin’s natural health. With plant ingredients such as Skin Microbes, Aloe leaf extract, Centella asiatica extract, Chamomile and numerous other soothing botanical oils, we can successfully treat and restore the skin’s healthy balance.

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Definition: 

Premature ageing is the unnatural, accelerated ageing of the skin. It can, however, be both prevented and treated with professional skincare treatments and the correct home-care products. The signs of premature skin ageingare often quite visible and include fine lines, environmental damage and an impaired hydrolipid barrier (the natural oil layer on the skin).

Understanding pre-mature ageing skin:

Most of the damage might not be visible in the skin, and will only appear at a later stage. Prematurely aged skin will have signs of fine lines and superficial wrinkles. Common indicators of premature ageing skin are that the epidermis might appear dry or dehydrated with occasional spot breakouts, combined with inflammation and an impaired hydrolipid barrier. Early signs of solar damage and skin discolouration might also be visible. Pre-mature ageing of the skin cannot be attributed to just one cause; various environmental, hormonal and physiological factors have a profound effect on the skin. However, exposure to the sun’s UVA rays causes the most amount of damage. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and are often referred to as ‘ageing rays’. In high doses, these rays can cause darkening, pigmentation and accelerate the ageing process by damaging the underlying collagen, thus making the skin appear scaly, dry, wrinkled and leathery with dark patches. Other contributory factors include stress, lack of sleep, smoking, pollution, incorrect use of cosmetics and make-up with a high chemical content.

Targeted Solutions: 

By incorporating the Kalahari home-care and professional treatment protocols, we can successfully target the signs of premature ageing and effectively de-age the skin. Our Phyto-effective™ formulations were developed with superior antioxidants, vitamins, peptides, hyaluronic acid and other effective ingredients, in order to accelerate the formation of collagen and elastin and to eliminate free radical formation. By using this multi-functional ingredient approach, we can ensure that the skin becomes healthy and radiant.

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DEFINITION:

Hyperpigmentation can be explained in three different categories; Solar-induced hyperpigmentation, hormonal imbalance such as melasma (common after pregnancy) and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (usually caused by acne).

UNDERSTANDING HYPERPIGMENTATION SKIN:  

Hyperpigmentation, or skin discolouration, can be challenging to treat as there are multiple triggers which have an impact on this condition. Melanin – the pigment responsible for giving skin it’s colour – is the cause for the brown, blotchy or uneven appearance which is there to protect our skin from damaging UV-radiation. Melanin is produced by melanocytes and located in the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells look like “octopus-like” tentacles called dendrites which push melanin granules to the skin cells (keratinocytes) when exposed to UV light. Melanocytes main function is to scatter UV lights, neutralise free radicals, protecting the skin cell membrane from oxidation and therefore also protecting DNA from UV damage. Within the skin cell tyrosinaseis a key enzyme which influences melanin synthesis, the reduction of tyrosinaseis the most prominent approach for the development of melanogenesis inhibitors.

TARGETED SOLUTIONS: 

Kalahari has developed a highly effective dual treatment approach with a combination of innovative ingredients. Bearberry extract inhibits production of melanin and Carob leaf extract reduces tyrosinase activity. The Skin Brightening Gel also contains Salicylic acid which exfoliates the pore lining and Devils Claw extract which dramatically reduces inflammation. We recommend Kalahari Professional Phytic Clay Mask in combination with the prescribed home-care treatment protocol for visible results.

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Definition: 

Dry skin is a specific condition which occurs when the sebaceous glands are completely inactive or the natural excretes of sebum is minimal. Dehydrated skin is typically the lack of moisture in the stratum corneum. Even an oily prone skin can experience epidermal dehydration, therefore dehydration is a lack of water, not oil. Often, the sebaceous oil activity can still be normal – or even overactive – in dehydrated skin.

Understanding Dry & Dehydrated Skin:  

Dry skin: is a lack of natural oil. The pores on a dry skin type are normally much smaller, the skin is visibly flaky and appears dull. Dry skin can be genetic, or the reaction to medication, which causes the sebaceous gland to become inactive.

Dehydrated skin: lacks water and moisture content within the cells. Dehydrated skin is usually a temporary condition. This condition is often described as dry underneath and oily surface. To restore the natural moisture balance within the skin, it would need moisture-capturing ingredients to prevent further transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and to hydrate the skin from within by drinking enough water. Dehydrated skin concerns are mainly caused by external factors such as sun exposure, incorrect use of topical applications, harsh treatments, saunas, swimming and climate change.

Targeted Solutions:

Dry or dehydrated skin concerns have become one of the most common challenges, and for this reason Kalahari has developed several effective treatment solutions. For Dry skin types, we recommend products enriched with plant lipids such as Marula oil and Kalahari watermelon seed oil. For Dehydrated skin conditions, moisture-binding ingredients such as Resurrection plant extract and Hyaluronic acid is recommended to prevent transepidermal water loss.

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DEFINITION:

Biologically, the skin starts ageing in women from the age of 25. Most commonly, mature skin shows signs of increased dryness, prominent wrinkles and sagging due to lost elastin and collagen. Mature skin will also appear thinner and dull, with an uneven skin tone.

UNDERSTANDING MATURE SKIN:  

As we age, our skin’s sebum production slows down, the metabolism of the cells is slower and the active number of fibroblasts reduce including synthesis of collagen. Environmental factors such as solar exposure (including extreme warm and cold temperatures), hormonal changes, medication, chronic illnesses, tobacco, alcohol, stress and fatigue or the lack of sleep have a huge impact on mature skin.

TARGETED SOLUTIONS:

Kalahari’s Home-care and Professional Treatment protocols have been specifically developed to offer a sound solution for a mature skin type. Our formulations contain a combination of superior antioxidants that slow down free radical activity, improve dermal density, firm, tighten, increase the skin’s hydration levels and relieve a dry, dull appearance. Mature skin will benefit from our rich botanical formulations, leaving it feeling smooth and nourished.

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Definition:

Acne occurs when a pore or hair follicle becomes clogged with natural sebum and dead skin cells. Bacteria – known as Propionibacterium – lives in the skin. When this bacteria enters and infects the clogged pores, it causes inflammation. There are different types of acne: Non-inflammatory acne such as whiteheads (closed comedones) and blackheads (open comedones). Inflammatory acne types such as papules, pustules (pimples), nodules and cysts.

Understanding Problematic Skin:

The contributing factors for problematic skin may include genetics, hormones, hygiene, incorrect use of skincare products, stripping of the skin’s natural oil barrier, diet, stress, sleep patterns, medication, solar exposure and smoking. In more severe cases, acne scarring is formed as a result of inflammatory or cystic acne. The pore or follicle swells due to the accumulation of excess oil, impurities and bacteria which forces the follicle wall to break. There are also different types of acne scarring: Ice Pick Scars (deep pits), Boxcar Scars (angular scars – which normally occur on the temple and cheeks), Rolling Scars (wave-like appearance) and Hypertrophic (thickened) scars.

Targeted Solution: 

Kalahari’s main aim in treating acne or acne prone skin, is to restore the skin’s natural hydrolipid barrier and reduce inflammation by targeting the bacterial infection. Our effective compound of botanical ingredients enhanced with a combination of scientifically proven ingredients will dramatically reduce and eliminate problematic skin conditions. The home-care ingredient combinations of Devils Claw Root extract, Resurrection plant extract, Rooibos Tea extract, Vitamin A, Salicylic acid, Nordihydrogualiaretic acid and Oleanolic acid ensures visible and effective results. Our home-care products will enhance your professional treatment results.

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