DAYSPA is the business resource for spa & wellness professionals! Each issue covers the latest in skin care, spa treatments, wellness services and management strategies.
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[22] • # dayspamagazine • september 2017 in focus by Laura Waldon © GETTY IMAGES Aloe is soothing substance does more than treat sunburns: It has seemingly endless benefi ts for all skin types. O ne of the most widely used botanicals, aloe vera is best known for calming sunburned skin and aiding wound healing. According to a paper tracing its origins published in JAMA Dermatology (February 2017), aloe's anti-infl ammatory properties are linked to three mechanisms: It prevents blood vessel dilation in irritated areas, produces pain-relieving salicylates as a byproduct, and inhibits the part of the immune response that triggers infl ammation. Known as the "plant of immortality" in ancient Egypt, aloe still holds a special place in skincare pros' treatment rooms today. "It's like nature's antibiotic—perfect for dry and sensitive skin," says Carol Blessing, owner and esthetician at Green Bamboo Quality Skin Care in Boonsboro, Maryland. Whether it's in a powder, gel, extract or juice form, this popular ingredient can be used both in and out of the treatment room to address a myriad of skin concerns. A There are two substances extracted from the aloe plant: the clear gel, used in topical skin care; and the yellow latex, which can be taken orally to relieve constipation. A The Mesopotamians, ancient Tibetans and Romans, among others, wrote about the plant's ability to treat skin conditions. Today, its cultivation is so widespread that it's unclear exactly where the plant originated. A There are over 500 species of aloe, with aloe vera being the most widely used for skin care. QUICK FACTS S