A Little More About Skin Structure
Skin Structure - What You Need To Know About It
The skin is the largest organ of our body and comprises of about 15 % of the total body weight. Apart from shielding the internal organs and body tissues against heat and cold, it also acts as a protective barrier against harmful bacteria from entering the body. Inspite of continued exposure, the skin reproduces and renews itself throughout life. The skin is comprised of three layers � Dermis, Epidermis and the Subcutaneous Tissue. Epidermis The Epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin that is visible to the naked eye. It is made up of millions of tightly packed skin cells. New skin cells are born in the epidermis. The newborn cells are round and plump. As they move outwards towards the skin surface, they get flattened. With time the dead skin cells accumulate on the outer surface of the skin, are shed and further replaced by new skin cells. This is an ongoing process of natural skin exfoliation. On an average, about 30,000- 40,000 skin cells are shed every day. The Epidermis also contains Melanocytes, cells that are responsible for melanin production within the cell. Melanin is the substance that determines the tone of the skin. darker people have more melanin while fairer people have less melanin in their skin cells. One of the factors that increase the production of melanin is sunlight. Sun exposure accelerates melanin production and makes the epidermis darker. That is why it is always advisable to wear sunscreen while venturing out in the sun. You can try the iS Clinical SPF 20 Powder Sunscreen, a revolutionary powder sunscreen that contains physical UV blockers comprising of 25% titanium dioxide and 20% zinc oxide. It is a special nanotechnology formulation provides sun protection against a vast spectrum of sunlight. It is also very easy to apply. Because it is the outermost skin layer, the epidermis always remains exposed to environmental factors causing problems like acne, sun damage and so on. The Epidermis is also the first to exhibit the effects of aging skin like wrinkles and fine lines. in fact, almost all the signs of skin damage appear on the epidermis before it affects the body intrinsically. Dermis The Dermis is the middle layer of the skin that contains collagen and elastin fibers, oil and sweat glands, nerve endings and blood vessels. The collagen and elastin tissues are responsible for maintaining the firmness and elasticity of the skin. while collagen acts as a natural cushion for the skin, elastin allows the skin to stretch and strain without tearing. These fibers are responsible for the youthful appearance of the skin. When their levels begin to deplete, the skin starts developing wrinkles and fine lines. Also, the skin becomes dry and thin and begins to sag. Oil glands produce sebum, a substance that helps keep the skin lubricated. Also, when the body becomes too hot, the oil glands produce sweat in order to regulate the body temperature and cool down. Likewise, nerve endings that are present in the dermis layer register sensations like pain, heat etc. Another factor that influences the Dermis is the effect of the ultraviolet radiations of the sun. The UVB rays affect the epidermis. However, the UVA radiations are of a different wavelength and penetrate the skin causing damage to the Dermis layer. Use something like the Obagi C-Sunguard SPF 30. It is a superb sunscreen that contains ultra-sheer Z-Cote, an effective barrier that provides superior protection against UVA as well as UVB rays of the sun that are responsible for premature aging of the skin. Subcutaneous Tissue The subcutaneous layer is the bottom-most layer of the skin that connects it to the muscle membranes. These tissues make-up a highly elastic layer of skin that contains cushioning fat cells. It protects the bones and internal organs from damage. It insulates the heat, keeps the body warm and cushions any abrupt shocks. This layer also contains hair follicles, which are small openings from where the hair begins to grow. About the AuthorDr. Marilynn Syrett is a graduate from Western University of Health Sciences. She has authored several articles about antiaging skin care products including many from Obagi and iS Clinical range of skin care products.
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