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To better comprehend the causes of skin ageing,
it is necessary to understand the structure and function of skin.
The skin is the largest living organ; its protective barrier function
is essential to our body. As a matter of fact, the skin reflects our
state of health.
A few statistics:
| Surface: |
1.5 to 2 Square meter |
| Weight: |
15% of our total body weight |
| Thickness: |
1 to 5 mm |
The skin is made up of three main tissue layers.
The
Epidermis
The surface layer of the skin which protects
us from various irritants. Far from being layers of dead cells the
healthy epidermis has multiple layers of cells that alter in shape,
natural oils and moisture the closer they are placed to the surface.It
is divided into two parts : the living epidermis and the stratum corneum.
The cells of the living epidermis - the keratocytes - undergo certain
changes while migrating to the surface of the skin. They lose their
nucleus, flatten and convert to keratin.
Healthy young skin has 3 - 4 week cycle time. During the cycle, the
cells modify and join the stratum corneum which is the most external
layer of the living skin. The stratum corneum consists of a piling
up of flattened cells full of keratin and amino acids.
Deep in the epidermis the cells are held together by natures natural
cement ( The Desmosone).
At the end of the natural cycle the dead cells of the stratum corneum
are progressively eliminated by exfoliation (Desquamation). Thus,
thousands of dead cells naturally exfoliate each day.
This natural healthy process is blocked by the excessive use of moisturisers!!!!!
All skin of the face except for the eyelids and lips must be encouraged
to exfoliate.
Most simple skin problems such as whiteheads, blackheads, pigment
build up, enlargement of natural pores and loss of youthful translucency
are due to a blockage of natural exfoliation. The principal cause
being cosmetic moisturisers.
The
Hydrophilic film which covers the stratum
corneum plays an important role. It is the first defense against the
environment and infections. This film is formed by lipids from the
epidermis, sebum of the sebaceous glands, and water (from the sweat
glands and from natural cutaneous perspiration).
This slightly acid film (pH situated
between 5.5 and 6.5) contributes to:
| • |
The maintenance of a good level of hydration |
| • |
The natural protection of the stratum corneum |
| • |
The defense against infections |
The Dermis
The supportive network layer of the skin ;
it ensures nutritive functions and serves as a water reserve.
Skin support:
Collagen and elastin fibres which give
the skin its elasticity and firmness. In addition the dermis contains
variable numbers of sweat glands hair follicles and nerves.
Nutrition:
Irrigated by a fine network of capillaries,
the dermis assures a nutritive function by supplying the cells with
all of the elements necessary for the continuous regeneration of skin.
Water reserve:
The dermis contains 15 to 18% of the
water contained in the entire body.
The dermo-epidermal junction serves as the link between the dermis
which is vascular and the most superficial layer the epidermis. Epidermal
regeneration arises entirely from this junction zone.
The Hypodermis / Fat
It is the deepest layer. Rich in fatty cells
(the adipocytes), the fat cells act an insulator to temperature changes.
Fat is also an energy reserve.
There are 2 basic types of fat cells. Insulating cells that can expand
and contract, these are responsible for our weight change. Storage
or privileged fat that occurs in genetically predetermined areas.
What type
of skin do I really have?
How does the skin protect me. What
is the skin's
function?
Do you regret
those years in the sun?
How will your face age? A personal facial aging profile.
To order
your individual skin care regime.
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