The Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa (SCFSA) has awarded Dr Des Fernandes, Founder and Scientific Director of Environ Skin Care, with their first ever Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contribution to the techniques and technologies associated with skin rejuvenation as well as photoprotection. The globally acclaimed and respected plastic surgeon and scientist was also recognised for his contribution to the field of topical antioxidants and vitamins, to which he has dedicated over 30 years.
Says Dr Marc Roscher, CEO of the Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa, “Dr Des Fernandes has truly adjusted our understanding and influenced the way we work as physicians, not just as South Africans but worldwide. Testament to this, he received the Dermatological Aesthetic Surgery International League (DASIL) International Lifetime Achievement Award in Doha in 2019. As South Africans, we are very honoured to give this award to him in recognition of his monumental contribution in the fields of skin rejuvenation, photoprotection and the development of the field of needling.”
It was the agonising loss of two young melanoma patients in the 1980’s that motivated Dr Fernandes’ research into the skin and skin cancer. This defining point in his career was when that he discovered the revolutionary effects of vitamin topical applications on the skin, especially that of vitamin A. This scientific breakthrough within the skincare industry led to the conception of Environ Skin Care and an unprecedented 30-year legacy in scientific innovation that followed, including many more ‘world first’ skin health developments that are Environ’s products embody.
Says Dr Fernandes, “I am truly humbled to receive this award. My work is and has always been driven by my passion for finding scientific solutions to common skin issues and sharing that knowledge as widely as possible. The skin is the largest organ in the human body and so it’s my belief that we should all be united in understanding how it works and should be cared for.”
“Dr Fernandes is truly deserving of this award. He has been giving freely of his knowledge to peers and non-medical healthcare practitioners. This is truly a unique part of who he is, and we thank him for that”, concludes Theresa De Beer, COO of the Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa.
About Environ Skin Care:
Environ Skin Care is a globally recognised and loved professional skincare brand that is built on science, beauty and care. Since 1990, Environ has used the science of beauty to change the way the world sees skincare. The introduction of vitamin A to skincare formulations was a ground-breaking development, first successfully included in cosmetic products by top plastic surgeon, skincare pioneer and Environ founder Dr Des Fernandes. His sister, Val Carstens, Environ’s Chairman, has built the brand from a dream to a global success. Today the brand has over 140 products in more than 70 countries.
Environ has received over 100 international awards which have recognised the brand for its outstanding products, most recently being voted Top Medical Skincare Line of the Decade in the highly revered Aesthetic Everything® Aesthetic and Cosmetic Medicine Awards. Environ is favoured by international skincare therapists, the medical fraternity, beauty editors, aestheticians and film stars.
About Dr Des Fernandes:
Dr Des Fernandes has written a number of thought-leadership chapters for textbooks in plastic surgery, pharmaceutics and dermatology, as well as co-authored textbooks for skin needling, facial surgery and skincare. He is a member of the Association of Plastic Reconstructive Aesthetic Surgery of Southern Africa, the International Society Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, International Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, DASIL (Dermatological Aesthetic Surgery International League), and an honorary member of the Onizuka Society. Dr Des Fernandes was also awarded the prestigious title of Professor from The University of Cape Town in recognition of his invaluable contribution to plastic and reconstructive surgery in the field of Cleft Lip and Palate reconstructive surgery as a researcher, clinician and teacher over decades. In 1998, he took Environ’s skincare knowledge into the technology field with the launch of the patented Ionzyme® DF Machine – the world’s first low frequency sonophoresis and iontophoresis facial treatment.
