Skin Health and Microbial Friends: A Patient's Introduction to the Skin Microbiome

The skin's microbiome, an intricate ecosystem of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health. It's essential to educate patients about this microbiome, emphasizing its benefits and the importance of not disrupting it. This education includes informing them about the skin ecosystem, the necessity of choosing skincare products that respect the microbiome, and the significance of maintaining the skin's natural pH.

Explaining the skin ecosystem is the first step. The skin microbiome is not something harmful; instead, it's beneficial, protecting the skin from pathogens and environmental damages. Dysbiosis can lead to various skin issues including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne. Giving patients this knowledge leads to a deeper understanding of the importance of choosing the right skincare products. Patients often use over the counter products that can harm the skin's natural balance. They need to be guided towards products that maintain the skin's natural pH and do not strip the skin of its natural oils and beneficial bacteria.

Educating patient about maintaining the skin’s natural pH is also crucial. The skin's surface pH ia around 4.5-5.5, which helps inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Using harsh, alkaline products can disrupt this balance, leading to problems like dryness, irritation, and infections. Acute wounds, including those we create in aesthetic medicine, reside between 6.5-8.5 while chronic wounds reside between 7.2 and 8.9 pH. Post treatment returning skin to its natural pH will increase the likelihood that the wounds will heal normally without unwanted side effects. How we achieve that largely depends on post care in the clinic and at home.

One effective solution is the use of hypochlorous acid (HOCl). HOCl, an acid produced naturally by the human body, plays a leading role in our immune response and has antimicrobial properties. HOCl is formed when white blood cells, like neutrophils, produce an enzyme called myeloperoxidase. This enzyme catalyzes the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and chloride ions, both present in the body, to produce hypochlorous acid. This acid then acts as an antimicrobial agent, effectively killing bacteria and pathogens, through phagocytosis, during immune responses. The manufacturing of HOCl to date has been challenging as both pH and stability remained a concern. Today, one brand stands out as a leader in the HOCl space, Hale Derma HOCl. Hale Derma HOCl is made from three simple ingredients; water, salt and electricity. This patented combination produces a two-year shelf stable HOCl that has a pH of 5.5. Hale Derma HOCl is effective in killing harmful bacteria and viral matter without being too harsh, thus preserving the beneficial bacteria, maintaining and working synergistically with the skin’s natural defenses. The in-clinic recommended use includes preparing the skin prior to treatment with a spray and immediately post treatment repeating an application of HOCl.

Incorporating Hale Derma hypochlorous acid into a daily skincare routine is beneficial. It's essential to educate patients on how to use Hale Derma HOCl effectively to maintain skin health without disrupting the microbiome balance. Hale Derma HOCl can be used twice a day (morning and night) or more often if desired. Once applied the HOCl is left on the skin for 60-90 seconds and then the residual can be tissued off. The patient may then apply the treatment products which were prescribed for their home use care.

In summary, the health of the skin's microbiome is crucial for overall skin health. Educating patients about this and guiding them to use the right products, like Hale Derma hypochlorous acid, can significantly contribute to maintaining their skin's natural balance and overall skin health.