Skin Science.
We tend to take healthy skin for granted and underestimate its importance for our overall well being we only really notice it when something changes whether it is a minor blemish, signs of ageing, a skin condition or disease.
Our skin, however, is a natural wonder, it is our largest organ, and it protects against infections and UV radiation, regulates our body temperature and helps us touch and feel the outside world. It also helps us understand each other whether it is the flush of embarrassment, the pale look of fear, or the off-colour pallor of someone coming down with an illness, we learn so much from each other’s skin.
It is, however, also home to billions of living microorganisms and bacteria, many of which enable us to function, and as we understand more about them, we are seeing how vital they are to our overall well being. Our skin is complex and alive.
Regeneration Rate
Human skin consists of 3 layers the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue - the hypodermis.
The Epidermis
This is the thin outer layer it does not contain any blood vessels and is therefore dependent on the underlying dermis to provide access to nutrients and disposal of waste. The epidermis consists of stratified squamous epithelial cells. The thickness of the epidermis depends on the level of protection required by that area of the body. The palms of the hands and soles of the feet have a significantly thicker layer of keratin in the epidermis up to 2.3mm. in contrast the epidermis on the eyelids is approximately 0.05mm thick.
The Dermis
This is the second layer and is a complex combination of blood vessels, which carry oxygen and vital nutrients around the body and take waste products away. Contains hair follicles and sebaceous (oil) glands, nerve endings and sweat glands.
It contains 2 proteins necessary for skin health; collagen and elastin which offer support and elasticity
(your skins ability to go back to its original state after being stretched).
The Hypodermis
This is the skins third layer and is home to larger blood vessels and nerves and is made up of fatty and connective tissues.
It also acts as an insulator which further helps regulate temperature.
Keratinocytes -are the most common type of cell in the epidermis and are responsible for the synthesis of the protein keratin. These cells exist in progressive stages of differentiation from the deepest to the superficial layers of cells. They originate from the basal layer, which is the deepest layer of the epidermis, and gradually move upwards where they are shed from the skin and replaced by new maturing cells. This constant renewal takes place on average every 28 days. This turnover is faster for infants and slows down over the course of our lifetime. The healing process also slows as we age with the cuts grazes and bruises that disappear quickly when we are young now linger as the skin needs longer to renew.
Melanocytes - are another type of cell in the epidermis they are present throughout the basal layer and contribute to the colour of the skin they also help protect the body from UV radiation to prevent damage to the DNA of skin cells.
Langerhans cells - produced in the bone marrow are also present in the epidermis and work to detect foreign substances and infections, as part of the immune system of the skin. These cells are also thought to be involved in the development of skin allergies.
Merkel cells - originate from neural crest cells and are responsible for the perception of gentle touch. They are present in the epidermis in specific areas of the skin such as the nail beds and genitalia.
We have understood these layers for some time what we are only just discovering is the importance of what lives on our skin and inside our gut – a community of microorganisms known as the microbiome.
PLAYING HOST
There are thought to be about 100 trillion bacteria and other microbes living on or in us including mites and viruses. While research into the microbiome is relatively new scientists believe it could influence everything from our behaviour to the illnesses we suffer from.
Imbalances in the microbiome have been linked with diseases ranging from eczema and asthma to diabetes and obesity. Most research has focused on the gut but there are plenty of microbes that inhabit our skins including fungi and mites.
Our skin flora often offers many benefits such as consuming harmful micro life in the gut and lungs and evidence shows that microbes can stimulate the immune system but its not yet known if this is also true for those on the skin. Exposure to exhaust fumes smoke cleaning fluids cleansers and daily pollution of modern life can seriously impact the skin/ Clean air is not only important for our lungs.
SKIN FLORA
A GUIDE TO SKIN CARE
Drink plenty of water (if you gulp a lot of water in one sitting it will pass through the system and be expelled quickly as urine however if you sip water throughout the day the body can absorb it sending it to the vital organs, the skin will be the last vital organ to receive water which is why it is of utmost importance to stay hydrated for healthy skin). If you are thirsty then you are already dehydrated!
Eat foods rich in antioxidants (see my section on these in this website we can also apply these topically)
Keep skin clean (lets talk about double cleansing)
Maintain a healthy varied diet (Gut health is key).
Regular exercise.
Reduce sun exposure, SPF every day regardless of rain or shine.
Choose the right products for your skin type – we would love to help you with this at Ohh!
WHAT IS SKIN METABOLISM?
Your skins metabolic rate works in a similar way to your digestive metabolism it measures how fast cells communicate with each other, respond and act.
When your skins metabolic rate is ticking over nicely cells self-exfoliate, UV damage is repaired, and collagen production remains consistent.
However, like all biological systems the metabolism of your skin slows down as you age which is why we might notice fine lines and wrinkles around the same time as we discover we can no longer scoff three slices of cake and not gain weight.
The skins metabolic rate can be slowed down even further by external aggressors such as smoking sun exposure and sugar each of which contributes to dullness dark spots and wrinkles.
Just like your digestive metabolism your skin metabolism can be kick started at any age through simple habits and lifestyle choices Age confidence is all about taking control of our skin health and get radiant bright and alert skin.
Antioxidants repair skin cell damage and omega rich foods plump cells and increase cell turnover.
Facial massage makes a difference. By incorporating simple facial massage techniques into your skincare regime, morning and night, helps to increase blood flow to skin cells this rush of oxygenated blood repairs broken cell links and instantly jump starts sluggish skin metabolism.
WHY CLEANSER?
Our skin PH sits at between 4.75 and 5.75, Soap is alkaline, and water is not too perfect for our skin either on its own.
I have so many patients come to me saying they cannot use anything but soap and water.
Your skins protective lipid barrier is obliterated by such an alkaline environment and permanent skin damage can occur - the reason you cannot use anything else is because you have made your skin extremely reactive to anything new.
Trust me after a small change to a quality cleanser the PH will slowly start to decrease, and the skins protective function will return.
A quality cleanser is the first step to Fabulous skin.
WHY TONER?
Moisturising toner to be precise – a lot of people use micellar water which can be quite dehydrating, and a quality toner can really add hydration and improve the skins health significantly.
Do i need a SPF in Scotland?
SPF is Your skins BFF!
90% of the reason our skin ages and starts to deteriorate is preventable.
Prevent fine lines wrinkles apply everyday come rain or shine. Cloud cover does not stop UV rays.
Potentially lifesaving in the fight against skin cancers and melanomas.
TO SUM IT UP
Our skin is a complex organ. The largest in the human body. The skin will naturally denature, and we can do several things to slow it down the most important thing is protection and prevention if we have this in place from the start these problems will rarely occur.
Once problems do occur, at Ohh! we can work together to correct this with a good home care regime, and incorporate professional treatments tailored to help reset the skin.
Learn your triggers. keep a food diary, look at avoiding spicy and irritant stimulants like caffeine and alcohol to see if it makes a difference. Protecting your skin daily with SPF!
Drying Agents to Avoid in Products (check your Skingredients!)
Alcohol
Witch hazel
Menthol
Camphor
Peppermint
Eucalyptus oil
Fragrances
Propylene glycol
Do not ignore your skin complaints reach out to us at Ohh! and get some good quality medical grade products to prevent the issue from worsening. Do something today that your future self will thank you for!
Skin Complications
The reason we run into skin complications is usually down to one of, or a combination of two things. Intrinsic Forces such as, Illness, Hormones, Stress, Biological Age and Genetics & Extrinsic Forces, Environmental Changes, Friction, UV damage, Chemicals, Extremes of Temperature - to name a few.
A breakdown in the lipid barrier is the main reason our skin begins to lose function and it is down to a breach in this protective moisture retentive barrier that issues occur. The tendency can be to over exfoliate when we notice a complication however over exfoliation will deteriorate the health of your skin.
I often hear the phrase ‘but everything I put on my skin makes it worse’. It needs to get worse before it gets better! A history of poor skin habits will have affected the PH level of the skin. A new regime with new products requires time to adapt. Avoid mixing and matching and continual change! Speak to us at Ohh! about bespoke care for your complication. Self-care is not selfish!
Do not forget eyes and lips are areas where there is a lot of movement, we will see elastin stores tire quickly and fine lines and wrinkles appear due to this, a good quality eye & lip cream and/or antioxidant is essential to prevent further damage in a sensitive area.
ROSACEA
Have you noticed little broken capillaries or redness that takes a while to disappear after being outdoor? – This could be the start of rosacea and we must protect our skin to prevent further issue. If this is the case, rosacea is a medically diagnosed condition, at Ohh! we can usually spot the tell-tale signs from symptoms and a basic lifestyle questionnaire.
USE YOUR PRODUCT WISELY
When using your favourite products be sure to include your neck and decolletage, cleansing moisturisers and serums should start at your forehead and work your way down. Also be mindful of where you are applying perfumes as these can have a drying effect. I try mimic the Hollywood Film Star in the movie’s application of behind each ear rather than on the lower visible areas.
