Me and my skin
With an area of around 1.8 m² in adults, the skin is not only the largest but also the heaviest organ in the human body. It has a so-called acidic mantle with a pH value of 5.7 in women`s skin.
Its functions are many. It protects us from heat, light, injuries and infections. The body temperature is regulated by sweating. It also stores water and fat and forms precursors of vitamin D under the influence of UV light.
It consists of 3 layers.
- the epidermis (top layer)
- the dermis (layer in between)
- the subcutaneous layer (subcutis)
Epidermis and dermis
The avascular epidermis (topmost purple layer) represents the external boundary to our environment. It consists of four layers of cells stacked on top of each other. From bottom to top, these are the basal layer (stratum basale), the spinous layer (stratum spinosum), the granular layer (stratum granulosum) and the horny layer (stratum corneum). New cells are constantly being formed in the basal layer, which migrate upwards and differentiate. The so-called horny cells of the horny layer no longer have a cell nucleus or cell organelles. They are therefore dead cells. The horny layer has an important function as a skin barrier. It protects against pressure and friction, and generally against harmful external influences. It is particularly pronounced in regions subject to strong mechanical stress. Around 90% of the epidermis is made up of skin cells, the so-called keratinocytes. The remaining 10% are made up of pigment-forming cells, the melanocytes, immune cells, the so-called Langerhans cells for defense against pathogens, and cells of the peripheral nervous system, the so-called Merkel cells for pressure perception. Hair and nails are referred to as skin appendages. Hair protects against sun rays and heat loss.
Collagen fibres
Beneath the epidermis lies the dermis (blue-violet layer). This is a fibroelastic layer. It consists of so-called fibroblasts, collagen, elastic fibers and intercellular substance. Together they form the supporting framework of our skin. Our skin is an important sensory organ. The dermis contains hair roots, blood and lymph vessels, mobile cells of the immune system, sebaceous and sweat glands as well as numerous nerve endings for the perception of touch, temperature and pain. The sebaceous glands provide a film of fat on the skin that prevents the skin from drying out and cracking and maintains its elasticity. The sweat glands help regulate our body temperature by creating evaporative cooling, for example in hot weather or when we have a fever. The fine blood vessels (capillaries) in the skin also expand and give off additional heat. The opposite happens in cold weather: the blood vessels constrict. This means that less body heat is released into the environment.
Beneath the dermis is the subcutaneous tissue. It consists of loose connective and fatty tissue, serves as protection against the cold, is an energy store and a layer between the skin and the sheaths of our muscles.
The four skin types
Normal
Normal skin shows a good balance between moisture and oil production. Pores are barely visible. The skin feels balanced and healthy overall.
Dry
Dry skin tends to retain less moisture and can therefore often feel flaky, rough and tight. It can also tend to be more sensitive and irritate more easily.
Oily
Oily skin produces excess oil, which can cause it to become shiny and clog pores. People with oily skin are prone to acne and blemishes.
Combination skin
Combination skin is a combination of different skin types. Typically, the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is oily, while the cheeks tend to be normal or dry.
Young and ageing skin in comparison
Skin ageing in itself is a completely natural process and begins at the age of around 25, even if no visible signs are recognisable at this time. Due to falling estrogen levels, women’s skin ages faster than men’s, water storage capacity and sebum production decrease and wrinkles become visible more quickly.
Time, genetic (endogenous) and external (exogenous) factors all play a role.
By these we mean
- UVA radiation from the sun
- Lack of or insufficient care
- Inadequate sleep
- Unhealthy diet
- Air pollution
- Smoking
Our skin lives and changes constantly. With increasing age, the supporting structure of our skin regenerates to a lesser extent. Collagen and elastic fibres become fragile and unstable and increasingly lose their ability to store water.
The fat pad belonging to the skin also decreases. It becomes thinner, more vulnerable and increasingly loses its ability to retain moisture. Blood circulation decreases, which means that it is less able to be supplied with nutrients and oxygen.
To sum it up:
- Wrinkles and lines on the face, around the eyes and the lips appear
- Discoloration and pigmentation disorders might show up
- the skin tends to frequent irritation or allergic reactions
- the skin becomes rough
- the skin becomes dry
- the skin feels tight
The ageing process can not be avoided completely.
Nevertheless, there are things you can do to delay it in order to maintain a youthful, radiant and healthy looking skin.