We all begin our lives with a soft and smooth skin, but not many of us can boast of a finely textured skin by the time we are thirty. This is because most of us take our skin, the largest organ in the body, very much for granted. Remember, your skin can get tired if not looked after, and that it, like any other living tissue, really does respond to tender care and attention. If you realize how full of life your skin is and understand how it performs its various functions, skin-care will become at once more logical and more easily undertaken. Understanding your skin will also enable you to make an active use of your skin in relating more positively to your environment and in communicating with your fellow human beings.
Structure of your skin
Skin consists of three layers- the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue. The surface epidermis is a relatively thin layer. Beneath the epidermis are the thicker and the much stronger dermis. The subcutaneous tissue or the fat containing layer lies below the dermis.
The epidermis: The epidermis is a fairly thin layer. Its thickness varies around the body, depending on the special needs of that area. For instance, the epidermis over the eyelids is particularly thin, while that over the palms and soles is very thick.
The epidermis is itself made up of several layers. On the surface is the homy layer- the stratum corneum. This layer is made up of dead cells, which are continuously being shed.
Below the layer of dead cells are stacks of living cells comprising the stratum malpighi. This layer produces the main skin protein known as epidermio. The innermost layer of the epidermis or the basal layer is where new cells are produced. These new cells take about a month to travel to the surface. In some diseases, however, the movement of the cells to the surface is speeded up and this also results in scaling.
The dermis: The dermis is a much thicker layer than the epidermis. It is made up of a connective tissue framework in which are embedded blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, several types of glands, hair and a whole variety of cells. The connective tissue of the dermis is made up predominantly of a protein called collagen. Presently, this protein is being popularly used for the treatment of a variety of skin problems like wrinkles and scars. Elastin or elastic fibres are the other type of protein fibres in the dermis.
The dermis also contains a complex system of blood and lymph vessels and a highly complicated nervous system. The nerves receive and pass on an endless stream of valuable information to the body. Any type of skin massage is thought to facilitate the drainage of lymph glands and also to enhance the circulation of blood. Similarly, it has been suggested that massages soothen the nerves in the skin.
The apocrine glands are present in association with the hair follicles. They are found mainly in areas where there is obvious body hair such as in the armpits and around the genital area. These glands are under hormonal control. A large part of the body odour can be traced to the apocrine glands. By themselves, the secretions of these glands are odourless, but bacteria "which are normally present on the skin" act on the secretions to produce the characteristic body odour.
The eccrine sweat glands are distributed widely over the skin and produce a much larger amount of secretions. These glands are concerned with the regulation of body temperature. Under normal circumstances, the sweat glands produce about half a liter of sweat in a day. In very hot climates, the generation of sweat is increased tremendously and as the water is lost, the body cools down.
The dermis also contains sebaceous glands. These are present throughout the entire surface of the skin, except on the palms and soles. They are particularly numerous in the scalp and on the face. These glands open into the hair follicles and secrete an oily lubricant- the sebum. This contains cholesterol, proteins, fatty acids and waxes. Sebum forms a thin film which lubricates the skin; it also forms a coating on the hair, keeping them soft and shiny. When sebaceous secretions are inadequate, the epidermis becomes dry and wrinkled and when the glands secrete heavily, the skin becomes Oily and shiny.
What are the functions of skin-
The functions of the skin are truly a paradox - skin is both a barrier surrounding and protecting your body from innumerable external assaults and at the same time, it is the means of your constant contact with the environment. One of its main jobs is to regulate temperature. Another is to prevent germs and poisons from invading the body. Just as important is its task of preventing the loss of body fluids, as it forms an almost waterproof barrier. Simultaneously, it also functions as an active organ of excretion, helping to rid the body of wastes in the form of sweat.
On a psychological level, your skin is the most active link with your surroundings. Quite apart from its role in your personal appearance, the skin is vital in conveying the sense of touch and forms the principal organ of sexual attraction and communication.
What type of skin do you have-
It is really very important for you to be able to identify your skin type. This is to enable you to look after your skin correctly. Also the selection of your cosmetics is, to a considerable extent, influenced by your skin type. Although no two skins are exactly similar most have characteristics which enable them to be grouped into one of the following types.
1. Normal skin
2. Dry skin
3. Oily skin
4. Combination skin.
What does normal skin look like-
Normal skin is smooth and velvety to touch and does not look puffy or shiny. The skin has a rosy color because the circulation of blood is good and the skin is well moisturized. The pores are fine and barely visible. This type of skin is something of a rarity. If you own this type of skin, you have a real fortune to exploit. However, this type of skin is not really problematic; it still needs sensible care and gentle treatment. Choose your skin care products carefully and always look for mild, well-balanced cosmetics.
What does dry skin look like-
Dry skin is fine, delicate and dry with a tendency to scaling on the cheeks. Under- Neath, the skin lacks suppleness and therefore feels taut after washing. The pores are not visible as there is an insufficient amount of secretion from the sebaceous glands. Dry skin tends to age prematurely and is wrinkle-prone unless nurtured. Constant protection is very important and the products used must be gentle, rich and soothing. Always use a moisturizer during the day and a good cream at might.
What does oily skin look like-
Oily skin is coarse, thick and shiny. The sebaceous glands being over active, the pores are clearly visible. Oily skin is prone to pimples and needs to be cleaned scrupulously. Only those cosmetics which have been formulated especially for oily skins should be used, otherwise there will be problems.
What dose Combination skin look like-
Most of us have a combination skin. The middle of the face (patches on the forehead, the nose and the chin) is shiny with dilated ostia and a coarse texture. The rest of the face is either normal or dry. Sometimes, the difference between the two areas is great, if such is the case with your skin, then you would have to treat each part of the face accordingly- the dry areas as for dry skin and the central panel as for oily skin.
What is the pH value of skin-
For decades, cosmetic manufacturers have done considerable research in order to discover and produce products whose pH is healthiest for the skin and the hair.
The symbol pH is used in everyday language to represent the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a substance. When a solution is neither alkaline nor acidic, it is called neutral. For example, the pH of pure water, a neutral substance, is 7. If the pH of a solution is less than 7, it is acidic, if the pH is greater than 7, it is alkaline.
The pH of healthy normal skin is between 5.2 and 6; thatis, itis slightly acidic. This acidic pH of the skin is due to the presence of acids in the sebum, sweat, and keratin. It is necessary to maintain the acidity of the skin. This is, probably, the reason why it is thought that curds and lemon juice when applied would do wonders for your skin.
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