|
The outermost layer of the skin is the epidermis. It protects everything underneath and exhibits all the skin’s problems. The visible surface of the skin is the stratum corneum; it is composed of damaged, superficial cells. The normal twenty-eight day process of shedding these dead cells and replacing them with young healthy cells lengthens as we age. New cell growth is occurring at the base of the epidermis; these cells have to work their way up to the surface. The cells that make melanin, our skin pigment/color are in this layer also. Removing the stratum corneum rids us of this dry, dull, flaky layer. Our complexion is improved with lustrous, translucent skin. Make-up applies more smoothly. Skin care products are better absorbed. New cell growth in the lower layers is stimulated so that healthy young cells can surface.
The next layer down is the dermis. It provides structural support and nutrition for the skin, as well as the skin’s natural internal cleansing system. Nerve endings, blood vessels, oil glands, and sweat glands are contained here and are held together by collagen and elastin. The blood vessels bring the skin cells oxygen and nutrients. The sweat glands secrete fluid and the oil/sebaceous glands secrete sebum/lubricating oils. These secretions reach the skin’s surface through the pores to form a protective film; they also keep it soft, supple and pliable.
The bottom layer of the skin is the subcutaneous layer, composed mainly of fat. This layer serves as a cushion to protect the nerves, glands and blood vessels of the dermis. In this layer starts the beginning of hair from the hair follicle, a tiny tube in the skin that is connected to a sebaceous gland as it passes through the dermis.
|
|
Over the years, our skin protects us from harmful substances like the sun, wind, pollution, smoke. However, as we age, the effects of the environment, genetics, diet, hormones, physical illness, and mental stress begin to show. It seems as though one day, when you look in the mirror, your skin has changed dramatically: dullness, roughness, wrinkles, sun spots, age spots, darkened freckles, large pores, acne scars, sagging jowls and neck, droopy eyelids; the list continues. Most of us have a combination of these problems.
Like other organs in our bodies, as the skin ages, it slows down and the ability to repair itself is reduced. The normal turnover time of twenty eight days for cell renewal, is greatly increased. The outer layer of skin becomes stacked with dead cells, giving it a sallow, irregular appearance. Pigment worsens and becomes more noticeably irregular. Skin becomes thin and crepe-like. Fat is lost; skin is no longer plump and smooth, giving a hollowed appearance. Blood supply is reduced because of decreasing circulation. Collagen breaks down resulting in sagging jowls and skin laxity.
Three types of wrinkles begin to develop: dynamic, fine, and skin fold wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles form as a result of the expressions we make with our faces year after year. Our skin creases and folds with smile lines, frown lines, lip lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, scowl lines. Fine wrinkles are more superficial, usually seen on dry, crepe-like skin of the cheeks. Skin fold wrinkles develop within skin folds that are due to sagging formed by collagen breakdown and skin laxit, like the ones that we develop from the corners of our nose, around our mouth and down to our chins.
By understanding the structure of healthy skin and the processes our skin undergoes as it ages, we can decide on the treatment or procedure that would benefit you the most.
|
