Naturopathic Aesthetics: Sun Protection

6.5 hours

Naturopathic Aesthetics: Sun Protection

What You'll Learn

  • Thorough review of the many facets of sun protection and repair
  • The top photoprotective topical, nutritional, and herbal supplements
  • Detailed review of photocarcinogenesis and photoaging
  • Cosmeceutical actives and product formulation 
  • Cutaneous effects and differences between the UVA, UVB, and visible light spectrums
  • Best practices for sunscreen and sun protection

Description

Join Dr. Rob, in this in-depth exploration of everything to do with the sun and skin health. Another addition to the Naturopathic Aesthetics series, this course is designed to provide a thorough review of the many facets of sun protection. Dr. Rob will cover everything from photocarcinogenesis and photoaging, to sun protective and after sunburn topical products, to cosmeceutical actives, sunscreen filters, and product formulation. This course isn’t just about topicals: Dr. Rob will also discuss key dietary and nutritional/herbal oral supplemental agents researched for their photoprotective effects. Just as detailed and thorough as he in his instruction, please see a full course description and outlined learning objectives below.

It is hard not to appreciate the magnitude of effect that giant burning ball in the sky possesses. Without a doubt, the term powerful is appropriate. This term not only applies to its many roles in sustaining the planet, and the life on it, but also can be thought of in terms of its impact on our mood, energy, and ultimately our personal relation to the great outdoors. On the other side of the coin, however, is the ability for some of the energies it emits to wreak havoc with our skin. It drives the processes underlying skin aging, skin cancers, and even skin sensitivities. In this way again, we see its power. Ultimately, it’s the learning of how to balance both protecting ourselves properly from such damaging effects, with taking-in the many beneficial aspects the sun provides.

This course is designed to provide a thorough review of the many facets of sun protection. To best understand sun protective interventions, we first explore details surrounding the pathophysiology of UV exposure. With a focus on both photocarcinogenesis and photoaging, we will describe the processes giving rise to such clinical and aesthetic concerns. With this as a basis, we then move into a deep review of sun protective topical products. The bulk of our focus will center around sunscreen filter ingredients. Among the topics explored will be: understanding the differences between the two filter types, and the specific filters they each contain; labelling of sunscreen products; exploring sunscreen-based research for various skin concerns; how sunscreen formulas are now accounting for the effects of the Visible Light spectrum; and common adverse effects, controversies, and debates surrounding certain filter ingredients. Extending past sunscreen filters, we will also discuss the emergence of cosmeceutical actives in sunscreen formulas. These include a variety of antioxidant compounds, sought for their ability to complement the action of filters while providing for more complete photoprotection. After-sun topicals will also be explored for their use, not only for their popular offering of post-sunburn soothing effects, but as a growing realm of protection post-UV exposure, with the inclusion of DNA repair agents to mitigate against initiation of cutaneous carcinomas. Examples of how various sunscreen filters and cosmeceutical actives may be combined in product formulation will be explored.

The third section of this course will provide you with much information and tools for which you can effectively engage in patient education relating to sun protection behaviors. Strategies toward improving proper usage and compliance with sunscreens, and other forms of protection, will be described in detail. This will include reviewing the likes of: current sunscreen guidelines and recommendations surrounding them; optimal sunscreen application techniques; understanding the UV Index and the impact of various weather/environmental aspects on UV intensity; the role and selection of sun-protective clothing and sunglasses; and an exercise in using the information explored to help formulate your approach to countering commonly held myths surrounding sun protection.

The course will conclude with a detailed account and sampling of key dietary and nutritional/herbal oral supplemental agents researched for their photoprotective effects. Their ability to mitigate against UV-induced erythema, oxidative stress, and the processes underpinning photocarcinogenesis and photoaging are reviewed. Results of pertinent human trial data will be featured in this section. This information will help converge into a description for how some of these elements integrate into a full dietary approach as a means of adjunctive photoprotective care. Current evidence surrounding the influence of such plant-focused diets, like that of the Mediterranean diet, and the development of cutaneous carcinomas and signs of photoaging are highlighted.

This course is beneficial for those naturopathic doctors and healthcare providers engaged in a general practice, as well as those who are focused on aesthetics, dermatological, and/or dermato-oncological care. It is also designed to provide the course-taker with ample information, including numerous resources and references. As such, it is very much encouraged to explore these resources as a means of obtaining a deeper breadth of the topics we review.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the cutaneous effects and clinically relevant differences between the UVB, UVA, and Visible Light spectrums
  • Understand the acute and chronic effects of UV radiation, including: erythemal response, tanning and other pigmentary effects, key details surrounding DNA damage and photocarcinogenic processes, immunosuppression, photodermatoses, and details surrounding photoaging processes
  • Identify the six phototypes according to the Fitzpatrick phototype scale
  • Appreciate and integrate evaluation methods used to make the Fitzpatrick scale more applicable to a wider range of patient populations
  • Review how aesthetics goals, and presentation of various cutaneous carcinomas, can differ across various patient populations, including black, indigenous, and people of color
  • Explore the history of sunscreen development
  • Define & describe key terminology relating to this topic, including Minimal Erythemal Dose (MED) and Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
  • Understand processes used to determine the SPF, for UVB protection, as well as methods used to characterize protection from UVA, including in vitro assessment and the PA system
  • Recognize and understand key elements described on a sunscreen bottle label
  • Appreciate the general differences between the two types of sunscreen filter ingredients: organic/chemical & inorganic/mineral
  • Describe the differing mechanisms of action between the two sunscreen filter types
  • Identify the specific filters and filter categories for the two sunscreen filter types
  • Identify the primary UVB and/or UVA-1 & UVA-2, and Visible Light spectrum bands which each sunscreen filter absorb/reflect
  • Appreciate the role and effect of iron oxides additions to sunscreen formulas
  • Explore the research surrounding the use of sunscreens for a variety of skin concerns, including photoaging, carcinoma development, melasma/post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and photodermatoses such as polymorphous light eruption
  • Recognize and evaluate the common concerns and debates relating to certain sunscreen filters, including common adverse cutaneous effects, changes to vitamin D status, and research exploring systemic absorption, endocrine and environmental concerns, among others
  • Appreciate formula characteristics, and their role in supporting the effectiveness of a sunscreen formulation as well as consumer acceptability
  • Identify natural compounds added to sunscreen formulas as a means of complementing sunscreen photoprotective effects
  • Recognize the potential benefits antioxidants can provide to sunscreen formulation, as well as the formulation challenges they present
  • Describe natural compounds commonly included in after-sun topical formulations
  • Identify novel and emerging compound additions to sunscreen and/or after-sun topicals directed toward repairing/inhibiting DNA photolesion formation
  • Integrate approaches toward the management of sunburns
  • Identify sunscreen formulations to consider in certain clinical/aesthetic situations
  • Explore examples of how various sunscreen filters and other agents, such as cosmeceutical actives, may be combined in product formulation
  • Identify current guidelines relating to proper sunscreen application
  • Communicate to patients other elements relating to sun protection behaviors, including optimal sunscreen application strategies, understanding the UV Index, the role and selection for sun-protective clothing and sunglasses, among others
  • Explore assessment approaches and patient education strategies for sun protection
  • Understand the effects of weather and environmental aspect on UV intensity
  • Recognize and relate sun protective actions in relation to the UV Index
  • Identify and address common myths surrounding sun protection
  • Analyze the various forms of research pertaining to the photoprotective effects of various dietary and oral supplement compounds, including: various carotenoids, niacinamide, pomegranate, green tea, Vitamin C, polypodium leucotomos, among others
  • Summarize the research relating to the role of a plant-based/Mediterranean diet in relation to cutaneous carcinomas, as well as its potential application for mitigating processes inherent to photoaging

Course Content

Introduction and Background

  • Shedding light on the UV spectrum 17min
  • Acute & Chronic Effects of UV Exposure 29min
  • The Fitzpatrick Phototype Scale 21min

Sunscreens: An In-Depth Review

Oral and Dietary Supplements

  • Weather, Wearables, Myths, and Putting it all Together 22min

Instructor

Proudly celebrating over 15 years in the profession, Dr. Rob Ayoup, ND, has worked to promote the rich benefits of Naturopathic Medicine to all those he has worked with. After achieving his BSc in Psychology from McGill University, this proud Montreal native traveled down the highway to attend The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. Graduating in 2002, and settling in the Toronto area, Dr. Rob has enjoyed a career filled with varied and unique ways of offering Naturopathic Medicine to the public.

Dr. Ayoup has applied Naturopathic Medicine across multiple avenues. In addition to clinical practice, these include working as a CCNM recruitment representative and teaching assistant; organizing & teaching various public CE courses at CCNM; a Naturopathic consultant for one of Canada’s largest nation-wide Employee Assistance Programs; and proudly has penned a portfolio of published articles covering both general & retail-focused topics in natural medicine. Dr. Rob is currently a contributing author to the Naturopathic Currents website.

The bridge into Naturopathic Aesthetics began soon after graduation. Upon completing additional training in Cosmetic Facial and Cellulite Acupuncture, Dr. Rob soon found a strong interest in his patient population for less invasive and natural approaches to skin health and beauty. This was accelerated by the recognition that, although well trained for managing common skin concerns, the knowledge base for the ever-growing and prevalent realm of natural-based cosmetics and cosmetic techniques was underexplored. As Dr. Rob studied and integrated these therapies into his practice, he quickly realized how much Naturopathic therapies, and especially our approach, can offer in the arena of Aesthetics Medicine. Working within various medical spa and fitness facilities have offered a wonderful opportunity to integrate Naturopathic Aesthetics in the Toronto area. Building on his passion for constant learning & teaching, Dr Rob is eager to educate his fellow NDs as to this exciting application of Naturopathic Medicine.

Continuing Education Approvals

  • California Board of Chiropractic Examiners (CA BOCE) - (expires on January 01, 2025)

    6.5 hours total (up to 6.5 hours Category B - Wellness) -Direct Approval
  • Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists (CFA)

    3.25 CEUs total (up to 3.25 CEUs Category B) -Direct Approval
  • College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO)

    6.5 credits total (up to 6.5 credits Category A) -Direct Approval
  • New Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors (NHAND)

    6.5 CEUs total (up to 6.5 CEUs General) -Direct Approval
  • Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine (OBNM) - (expires on September 22, 2025)

    6.5 hours total (up to 6.5 hours General Education) -Direct Approval
  • Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (VT OPR)

    6.5 hours total (up to 6.5 hours General) -Direct Approval
  • Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA)

    3.25 CPDs total (up to 3.25 CPDs Category B) -Assumed Approval
  • Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board (AZ NPMB)

    6.5 CMEs total (up to 6.5 CMEs General) -Assumed Approval
  • California Committee of Naturopathic Medicine (CA CNM)

    6.5 hours total (up to 6.5 hours General) -Assumed Approval
  • College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta (CNDA)

    6.5 continuing competence credits total -Assumed Approval
  • College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC)

    6.5 hours total (up to 6.5 hours Category C - Educational Courses) -Assumed Approval
  • College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO)

    6.5 credits total (up to 6.5 credits Category B) -Assumed Approval
  • Colorado Office of Naturopathic Doctor Registration (CO ONDR)

    6.5 PDAs total -Assumed Approval
  • Connecticut Department of Public Health: Naturopathic Physician Licensure (CT DPH: NPL)

    6.5 hours total -Assumed Approval
  • Council for Homeopathic Certification (CHC)

    6.5 CEUs total (up to 6.5 CEUs Category 2) -Assumed Approval
  • District of Columbia Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (DC HRLA)

    6.5 hours total -Assumed Approval
  • Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional & Vocational Licensing (HI DCCA)

    6.5 CEs total (up to 6.5 CEs General) -Assumed Approval
  • Idaho Board of Medicine: Naturopathic Medical Board (ID BOM: NMB)

    6.5 hours total (up to 6.5 hours General) -Assumed Approval
  • Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (KS SBHA)

    6.5 CEUs total -Assumed Approval
  • Maine Board of Complementary Health Care Providers (ME BCHCP)

    6.5 hours total (up to 6.5 hours General) -Assumed Approval
  • Manitoba Naturopathic Association (MNA)

    6.5 hours total (up to 6.5 hours Category B) -Assumed Approval
  • Maryland Board of Physicians (MD BP)

    6.5 hours total -Assumed Approval
  • Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (MN BMP)

    6.5 contact hours total (up to 6.5 contact hours General) -Assumed Approval
  • Montana Board of Alternative Health Care (MT BAHC)

    6.5 hours total (up to 6.5 hours General) -Assumed Approval
  • North Dakota Board of Integrative Health Care (ND BIHC)

    6.5 credits total (up to 6.5 credits General) -Assumed Approval
  • Rhode Island Department of Health: Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline (RI DOH: BMLD)

    6.5 hours total -Assumed Approval
  • Saskatchewan Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (SANP)

    6.5 hours total (up to 6.5 hours Category C) -Assumed Approval
  • Utah Naturopathic Physician Licensing Board (UT NPLB)

    6.5 CEs total (up to 6.5 CEs General) -Assumed Approval
  • Washington State Department of Health: Board of Naturopathy (WA DOH: BON)

    6.5 hours total (up to 6.5 hours Category 2) -Assumed Approval
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$280.00
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This course includes:

  • 6.5 hours on-demand video
  • 18 downloadable resources
  • Full lifetime access
  • Certificate of completion (PDF)
  • Certificate available immediately
  • CEs / PDAs as outlined
This course is intended for practitioners.