Taneesa Williamson A solution to navigating COVID-related skin disorders has finally arrived.
Can you distinguish COVID-related skin manifestations? Do you know if your clients are suffering from COVID long haul symptoms? Tina Viney, CEO of the Industry Standards/Body Association APAN, explains how new evidence-based documents are providing answers to salons and clinics.
Over the past several months progressively, APAN has been receiving concerns from salon and clinic owners who are reporting a variety of unexplained skin manifestations with their regular clients that appear to be out of the ordinary. There have also been several reports of client cancelling their appointment because they have experienced sudden fatigue and did not feel well enough to travel to their appointment.
During the past three months in consultations with several academics, APAN has worked extensively reviewing the very latest research findings and updates on both COVID-related skin manifestation, as well as treatment recommendations and solutions as we are now moving to the next stage as they come to hand.
We have finally completed COVID SKIN MANIFESTATIONS AND SOLUTIONS – a 68-page document which is considered a ‘one-of-a-kind’ manual that compiles the very latest evidence- based findings and treatment recommendations, as we now face the next phase and the aftermath of the COVID pandemic.
Tina Viney, APAN CEO
Studies now confirm over 100 persistent skin manifestations that can be classified under six basic categories that are due to individuals who have experienced COVID-19 infections.
Additionally, studies confirm that up to 70% of individuals who have experienced a COVID-19 infection will also experience what is known as COVID long haul with manifestations of ongoing symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Recurring headaches
- Hair loss (particularly in women)
- Irregular sleep
- Depression
What Will This Document Provide You?
COVID Skin Manifestations and Solutions is both an APAN ‘Position Statement’, as well as a training document that you can refer to, as well as train your staff on scientifically based information and evidence-based treatment approaches. The document consists of two sections:
Section 1: Cutaneous Manifestations Impacted by COVID-19.
This section covers the various categories of skin disorders and provides some permitted images to assist in identifying them, their symptoms, and what impact they have on various organs.
The objective of this section is to assist you in recognising them as these manifestations may occur prior to a diagnosed infection or during an infection, but they can also manifest months after someone is totally clear of the infection. It also presents vital information on what the latest studies are confirming on how the body is impacted and what organs may be compromised.
“As a skincare practitioner, your client may experience a reaction following one of your treatments, or even after just applying a product. It is therefore critical that you are accurately informed so that you can identify if the reaction is COVID related so that you can act accordingly” – Tina Viney
Section 2: Treatment Considerations and Options
In this section, we review the literature to determine treatment options deemed valuable to support your clients’ recovery. It covers various treatment modalities and the underlying causes of the various conditions. Treatment modalities and protocols that are recommended are based on proven benefits and include diet and lifestyle recommendations.
Why Do You Need This Document?
This document has been carefully constructed based on existing and emerging studies that will provide the industry with credible data to identify COVID-related symptoms so they can educate both staff and clients in a responsible manner.
It is an issue of best practice that practitioners and business owners in the personal service industry, especially those who offer skin and age-management services, access this document and familiarise themselves with its content.
We believe that as an industry standard body, in times like these we have a duty of care to provide the industry with carefully researched, credible evidence-based guidelines that will support and protect both practitioners and their clients and patients, and we are confident that this document will deliver on this promise.
Tina Viney, APAN CEO
This document is one-of-a-kind in its content that provides a wealth of credible data. Adhering to its guidelines will allow businesses and their staff to build trust with their clients, offering them a new level of support, while enabling them to move forward with greater confidence in successful treatments through an evidence-based approach.
Skin manifestations are on the rise, and it is important that the industry is accurately informed on how to navigate and address these concerns in a responsible and effective manner.
This 68-page document is copyright protected as some of the information has been given to APAN by permission for their use and at their discretion.
It will be made available to members for their personal use and for training their immediate staff. The document is not permitted to be given or accessed by a third party. APAN financial members can now access this document for free. Non-members can access the document for a standard fee.
All parties are required to comply with the copyright restrictions.
For further information please visit APAN’s website here.
