| Understanding
Your skin |
|
The skin is a complete body system and
an integral part of the overall health of an individual. Just
as the bones make up the skeletal system in your body, your
skin makes up the integumentary system.
Your skin is constantly renewing itself,
with deeper layers gradually coming to the outermost layer
where the skin cells are exfoliated. It typically takes healthy
skin about 6 weeks to fully renew itself.
Healthy skin is slightly moist, soft, flexible.
It provides a layer of protection as the body's first line
of defense against diseases and environmental damages. When
skin is healthy it has a smooth and fine grained texture to
it. Of course, skin appearance may change with age or due
to exposure to sun or other environmental factors. |
| |
 Problems
with the skin typically are found in the epidermis or outermost
layer. However, problems can occur in the deeper dermis as
well.
The Dermis is composed of collagen (which is a type of protein)
fibers. The blood vessels, fat cells, oil and sweat glands
that go through this layer are held together by these collagen
fibers. Collagen typically makes up about 70% of the dermis
and allows for the natural stretching and contraction of the
skin as well as providing strength. Collagen is also one of
the many components of the skin involved in the healing of
wounds. Moisture is very important to keeping this network
of collagen fibers supple.
As skin ages or becomes damaged, collagen fibers lose their
flexibility. That is one reason older skin is not as elastic
and "tight" as youthful skin, and one of the reasons
wrinkles occur as we age.
Under the dermis (i.e. subcutaneous tissue level), there is
adipose tissue that gives a smooth appearance and contour
to the body and contains fat cells used by the body for energy
and as a protective cushion. |
