The Layers of the Skin:
Our skin consists of many layers. The following gives you a brief look at the most important ones relating to skincare;
Epidermis – Consists of the stratum corneum, stratum malpighi, stratum basal, and basement membrane. It acts as the protective barrier for your body.
Papillary Dermis - Contains all fine collagen and most of our skin’s elastin. This area is responsible to generate new elastin for skin tightening.
Reticular Dermis - This level has thicker collagen and less elastin…it is composed of collagen fibrils, with large diameters, organized into thick bundles surrounded by mature elastic fibers.
Sub-Cutaneous Layer - Provides fullness, protects the skin and inner organs from trauma and holds energy stores. The regenerative ability of this layer is weak.
Why Our Skin Ages:
Why does skin age? That’s a question that has many answers and is a very broad subject. There were approximately 50 million American born between 1946 and 1963 or “baby boomers” as they are known as. In today’s culture more and more women are now in the work force and the more mature man is finding it harder and harder to compete with the younger generation, therefore, they are trying to keep that youthful appearance for as long as possible. As we continue to age, our cells cannot repair themselves as they once did when we were younger. We have to manually and or sometimes chemically support them in ways to help them repair. We do that by providing more antioxidants, both internally and topically, as well as sunscreens and physical blocks to slow down the free radical activity, which is a major cause of the aging process.
Understanding the Aging Process:
The process of aging is also referred to as intrinsic (internal-aging that occurs with time) and (extrinsic–relating to the environment… sun, pollution, etc.). To understand the difference, take a look at your face and then compare it to body parts, such as your buttocks that have not been exposed to sunlight. There are many factors that contribute to aging, such as lifestyle, heredity, diet, smoking, excessive drinking of alcohol and additional personal habits to name a few. The skin that’s been protected still has the appearance of a baby’s bottom…smooth, supple and soft, versus the face, arms and legs that have become mottled, wrinkled, less taut, etc. The body parts that have been exposed to the UV rays have definitely begun showing signs of aging at a much faster pace. Now…Let’s break down specific areas that cause the aging process:
Sun – Overtime the sun’s ultraviolet light damages fibers in the skin c