Repêchage Conference Focuses on Hypersensitive Skin Care Solutions

David Sarfati, COO of Repêchage, and Lydia Sarfati, CEO of Repêchage
David Sarfati, COO of Repêchage, and Lydia Sarfati, CEO of Repêchage

Harnessing the power of seaweed and the ability of Micro Silver to help protect and calm hypersensitive skin conditions such as rosacea were the focus of Repêchage's Annual Conference, held on May 18, 2015, at the Affinia Hotel in New York.

Over 135 skin care and spa professionals from across the country as well as international attendees gathered at the event to hear from experts as well as observe the official launch of the company's Hydra 4 Red‐Out Facial and at‐home products for hypersensitive skin and rosacea. The additional product launched was the Mineral Face Shield, used to protect skin from the harsh environment through its mineral-based formula, which includes nylon-2 polymer microspheres, zinc oxide and Laminaria Digitata seaweed.

Lydia Sarfati, Repêchage CEO and founder, spoke about the inspiration behind the new skin care products for rosacea. She explained to the audience that she battled the condition several years ago, which spurred her to search for ingredients that can be effectively used in treating inflammation and redness associated with the condition. Among these key ingredients are different species of seaweed.

"The future is extremely bright when it comes to further new discoveries with [the benefits of seaweed]," Sarfati said. 

Charles Yarish, Ph.D., professor at the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut, spoke about the science of seaweed and different species from the Brittany coast of France and Maine that can be effectively used for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties in skin care and can help protect against oxidative stress in cells. He explained there are various types of seaweed groups which include red, brown and green seaweed. "The browns have been the most important in the cosmetics industry," said Yarish.

Contained in the newly launched Hydra 4 Red‐Out Repêchage products, the seaweed species include:

  • Laminaria Digitata
  • Enteromorpha Compressa
  • Ahnfeltia Concinna
  • Ulva Lactuca/Aosa

Dr. Samuel Shatkin, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery and owner of the Aesthetic Associate Centre for Plastic Surgery and Advanced Medical Skin Care in Buffalo, New York, talked about how rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that can be aggravated by stress, spicy foods, hot drinks, alcohol and other factors.

To that end, Karl Richter, partner of Bio‐Gate AG, Germany, explained how Micro Silver, a newly patented ingredient for dermatological skin care used in the Repêchage Red‐Out facial and at‐home products, can help combat rosacea. Since bacteria is often at the root causes of rosacea, the Micro Silver ingredient kills the bacteria used as a food source for microbes, forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to eliminate micro-organisms and promotes the skin's natural healing process. The Micro Silver's silver ions bind to negatively charged parts in proteins; these parts are essential to the life-supporting function of the cells. By inactivating these life-supporting functions, the bacterial cells break down and die. Specifically, it damages the DNA of the bacteria so it can not reproduce.

Following the conference, Sarfati announced the annual Repêchage President’s Awards. Dr. Samuel Shatkin and Joni Shatkin of Trés Auraé Spa in Buffalo, New York, received the Trendsetter of the Year award. Citing the distributor’s 90% plus increase in sales during the last year, Prestige Cosmetic Korea won the President’s Award for Distributor of the Year. Prestige Cosmetic representative Jason Shin accepted the award on behalf of the company. Paige Beckman of MassageLuXe FaceLuXe of Dayton, New Jersey, won The President's Award for Rising Star.

 

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