SKIN CARE: PART 1

The skin is the outer covering of the body. In humans, it is the largest organ of the integumentary system. The skin has multiple layers of ectodermal tissue and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs.

Though nearly all human skin is covered with hair follicles, it can appear hairless. 

FUNCTIONS OF THE SKIN 

The Skin performs the following functions: 

1. Protection

2. Sensation

3. Thermoregulation: the skin provides a relatively dry and semi-impermeable barrier to fluid loss.

4. Storage and synthesis: acts as a storage centre for lipids and water.

5. Absorption: oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide can diffuse into the epidermis in small amounts.

6. Water resistance: The skin acts as a water resistant barrier so essential nutrients aren't washed      out of the body.   

A good skin care including sun protection and gentle cleansing can keep your skin healthy and glowing for years to come.  

 

Don't have time for intensive skin care? Pamper yourself with the basics. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent various skin problems. Get started with these five no-nonsense tips.   

(1) Protect yourself from the sun: One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems as well as increase the risk of skin cancer. 

For the most complete sun protection:  

Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. When you're outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.

 Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. 

 Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.  

(2) Don't smoke: Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow.

This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin, the fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity.

In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke can contribute to wrinkles. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking. 

  

(3) Treat your skin gently: Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it    gentle:  

Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm rather than hot water. 

Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers. 

Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.

Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin. 

 Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use,  

 consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.  

(4) Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.  

(5) Manage stress: Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin and a healthy state of mind take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.

                                                                

                                                     TO BE CONTINUED