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DERMAL
CORNEOTHERAPY
By Kai Atkinson, Educator, derma aesthetics
WHAT IS CORNEOTHERAPY?
Simply put, Corneotherapy is a progressive and remedial skin treatment methodology with its core principle being the repair and maintenance of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis, and its neighbouring defence systems at ALL times. Corneotherapy is closely related to Corneobiology, which refers to a broad range of experimental studies focused on the anatomy, physiology and biology of the stratum corneum. Studies as early as 1964 from Dr. Albert Kligman, the founder of Corneotherapy, depicted 22
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that the stratum corneum was a coherent tissue of cornified cells (corneocytes) and was NOT, as previously depicted, a graveyard of “dead” keratinised cells. Dr. Kligman articulated that the stratum corneum has many highly diverse functions and that it is very much alive, and his findings were confirmed by Professor Peter M. Elias, the author of the book “Skin Barrier” as well as other prominent scientists in the dermatological field. Corneotherapy refers to an “outside-in” approach with the “outside” being the stratum corneum and the “in” being the therapeutic effects starting
within the stratum corneum and working their way into the deeper layers of the skin. This is achieved by using preventative interventions that are primarily directed to the correction and restoration of the stratum corneum and its defence systems. This corneotherapeutic approach leads to homeostasis (balance) as well as the improved functioning of the integumentary system (skin), where it serves as a defence mechanism to protect the host against many harmful external substances and microorganisms, while keeping the epidermis front of mind and in-tact at all times.
