Avene Tolérance Extrême Interview

If anyone were to ask me what I like most about blogging, I’d say it’s not so much about being able to try out new products although of course that is a major advantage of having a blog. I’d say it’s the opportunity of meeting and chatting with people I’d normally not be able to meet in my profession and being able to meet people in the beauty industry, especially those from overseas is what I love most as I get an insight (sometimes exclusive) into a brand and get to know more about its history and stuff I’d not even get if I consulted Google. So Avene was really nice to me and asked if I’d like to interview Dr. Alain Briant (Dermatologist, Venereologist), Ms. Aline (Avene Product Manager) and Mr. Frederic (Avene Area Manager for ASEAN) during the launch of Tolérance Extrême  last week. Tolérance Extrême took a decade to develop and you can understand why after this.

Please tell me more about Avene’s history and the development of Tolérance Extrême.

Mr. Frederic : About 300 years ago, Avene Thermal Spring Water was discovered in Southern France. The water was well known not only in France but other countries as well. In 1871, Chicago was devastated by the Great Fire, barrels of Avene Thermal Spring Water were shipped west to America to soothe the skin of burn victims. Between 1920-1930, the thermal spring at Avene gained popularity as it became well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In the 1970s, the founder of Avene (the brand) Pierre Fabre loved nature and as he came to know the thermal waters at Avene, took over the Hydrotherapy Centre and wanted to understand the secrets of the thermal water. In 1975, he asked his best scientists to conduct research on the water. He knew that cosmetics had to be developed like a drug for active ingredients to have effects on sensitive skin. Pierre Fabre created a brand based on Avene water and Pierre Fabre Laboratories has conducted much research on the water to find out why it can treat inflammations. A major discovery had been made once it was ascertained that Avene Thermal Spring Water could treat skin inflammations which led to the production of Avene products available today. Avene is constantly improving on products. Pierre Fabre was a very rigorous man and always wanted to produce the best. Dermo-cosmetics was his first safe and effective product with minimum ingredients and the highest level of safety. With regard to the development of Tolérance Extrême, not many brands can do this kind of sterilization. it’s a hard technology to master and one has to have expertise in injectables. The packaging for Tolérance Extrême  is patented. Thanks to Pierre Fabre’s vision and thinking, Avene is now available worldwide including Asian countries like China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, India, Singapore and Malaysia. Those who used to buy mass market products are going towards dermo-cosmetics, it’s the fastest growing segment of the beauty industry. Pierre Fabre’s vision was for dermo-cosmetics to become the standard.

What are the common causes of eczema?

Dr. Alain : We have to understand that our skin is like fish scales. The scales are normally closed but when they are open, allergens penetrate into the blood. To prevent inflammation, skin should be closed and hydrate the skin if necessary. Having more ingredients and preservatives in skincare is not good for skin suffering from eczema. Using the wrong make-up can cause eczema. For post-surgery skin, sterile products should be used.

What is the experience in the Avene Hydrotherapy Centre like?

Ms. Aline : On Day 1, the patient meets the doctor for a diagnosis. He will prescribe different creams, all of which are available to Avene customers in drugstores around the world. It takes about 3 weeks to treat the skin and for the patient to relax. This year, 2 siblings aged 4 and 6 years old with atopic dermatitis were fully sponsored at the Hydrotherapy Centre. The environment at the Hydrotherapy Centre is very unique. Treatment takes about 1.5 to 2 hours in the morning with the afternoons free for the patient to do anything they like. After 3 weeks, patients will see an improvement in their skin condition. Products prescribed to patients can include the new Tolérance Extrême.

For completely sterile products, Tolérance Extrême  is very affordable. How do you keep prices so reasonable?

Mr. Frederic : Pierre Fabre Laboratories is very discreet, we do not spend much on ads and there are no factories everywhere in the world. All products are manufactured in one factory in France. The objective of Pierre Fabre is to make Avene Thermal Spring Water accessible to everyone.