Well-being research, with a holistic view of the human being, related to the use of cosmetics? Yes! Why not?
If we believe that the human being is not just "flesh and bone," our research should not be limited to the physical parameters that the skin can present. We need to go beyond, both in scientific investigation and in the creation of products and services that promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
The skin expresses much more than the release of water, minerals, and lipids. The skin expresses feelings and emotions. And to understand this expression, we need to better know "the owner of the skin." What does this person feel? What do they believe in? What are their values? How and with whom do they connect?
For many scientists, this investigation makes no sense, as their beliefs are limited to what the eyes can see. For them, the pragmatism proposed by Descartes in the 17th century continues to prevail. However, for others, it has become essential. Researchers who believe in the importance of the body-mind-spirit connection want to bring this reality into scientific production, both to contribute to the expansion of others' levels of consciousness and to scientifically support certain practices that can harmonize the human being and restore their health and longevity.
In this context, it is worth remembering that with globalization, the holistic view of traditional medicines and their millennia-old practices that promote the body-mind-spirit balance has been increasingly disseminated in the West.
In the late 1970s, the World Health Organization created the traditional medicine program to formalize its health practices and encourage the development of scientific studies that prove their safety, efficacy, and quality. The document "WHO Strategy on Traditional Medicine 2002-2005" paves the way for the use of these practices worldwide.
In Brazil, the Ministry of Health published, in 2006, the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices in the SUS (PNPIC), covering knowledge from Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture), Homeopathy, Phytotherapy, Anthroposophical Medicine, and Thermalism-Crenotherapy (the use of thermal waters for preventive, therapeutic, and health maintenance purposes). We will delve deeper into this knowledge later.
Professionals who adopt integrative and complementary practices need to develop a holistic view of the human being and, for this, cultivate spirituality. And when we talk about spirituality, even skeptics must accept that its pursuit favors well-being. A recently published study (Johnstone, 2012) showed that spirituality is positively related to mental well-being and negatively related to neuroticism.
The research with a holistic view of the human being, besides bringing inputs for innovation in products and services related to well-being, seeks above all to respect the research volunteers, considering them not just an "n," but a person who lends their story so that we can learn from it and improve our business. In this sense, it is worth reflecting on the phrase of one of the greatest scientists in history, Albert Einstein: "It has become shockingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity."
Reference:
Johnstone B, Yoon DP, Cohen D, Schopp LH, McCormack G, Campbell J, Smith M. Relationships Among Spirituality, Religious Practices, Personality Factors, and Health for Five Different Faith Traditions. J Relig Health. 2012;
National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices in the SUS (PNPIC) – Ministry of Health, 2006. Available at: http://189.28.128.100/dab/docs/publicacoes/geral/pnpic.pdf. Accessed on: 10/11/2012;
WHO Strategy on Traditional Medicine 2002-2005 – World Health Organization, 2002. Available at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/WHO_EDM_TRM_2002.1_spa.pdf. Accessed on: 10/11/2012.
