UNDERSTANDING SKIN – Linda’s Lowdown – June 2018

Jeunesse MedSpa® | June 26, 2018 | no responses | Skin

UNDERSTANDING SKIN 

Our skin condition and appearance is key to our overall wellbeing. It works hard to protect our bodies from environmental stresses, control our temperature and   allows us to  interpret touch. When our  is healthy, it looks and feels smooth, calm, well hydrated and even in colour.  Many factors, both internal and external affect  our skin condition and influence how it looks and feels.  We cannot control some of these but there are many that we can influence with the correct use of skincare to help protect the skin and keep it looking younger.

What are the internal factors that affect skin?

The major factor influencing our skin is our genetics, but  hormones and specific  medical conditions such as  dermatitis or diabetes certainly play a part too.

Genetics 

Your genetics determine whether your skin is normal, dry, oily or combination( your skin type). Genetics also determine the  how you skin ages biological  which is characterized by:

• Reduced cell regeneration and renewal.
• Reduced sebaceous and sweat gland secretions.
• Degeneration of the connective tissue so that skin is less able to bind in water and loses firmness.
• Degeneration of elastic fibres that results in reduced skin elasticity. 

Hormones

Hormonal fluctuation  during our lives  can significantly impact on our skin  and changes in their levels.

During puberty, the hormonal surge can trigger in acne. Pregnancy hormonal changes cause an increase in the  production of melanin which may result in hyperpigmentation known as melasma.

With menopause comes the decline of  oestrogen levels and consequently  a reduction in the skin moisture.  Oestrogen has a beneficial effect on the moisture balance of skin and its decline leads to structural changes and the age-related atrophy of skin.

Skin Conditions

Skin conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis are usually passed down through our genes. They result in the  skin being triggered more easily by stress and exacerbated by external influences, so it’s important to have a proper skin care routine in place.   Medical conditions like diabetes and kidney disorders that can also impact on skin condition. 

What are the external(environmental) factors that affect skin?

External factors that affect our skin include  sun exposure, lifestyle choices ( smoking  and  alcohol), diet  and exercise- much of  which  is within our control. These factors  can  compromise your skin’s natural balance,  making it is less able to work as a protective barrier and more prone to sensitivity. 

Climate

Sunlight and temperature  can have a significant impact on skin condition.

SUNLIGHT

Sunlight in  moderation is  essential  for our overall well being include mood and vitamin d synthesis, but too much can damage your skin, leading to premature ageing.

The sunlight spectrum consists of UV, visible and infrared light. Visible light accounts for 50% of the sunlight spectrum and, is the only part of light that we can see. (UV and Infrared Light are both invisible). The blue/violet band of visible light has a particularly high energy level and is known as High Energy Visible Light(HEVL)

Ultraviolet rays affect the skin in varying ways: 

• Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays cumulative effect are the biggest influence of  ageing. UVA can pass through windows  and florescent lights that we work under give off UVA rays. This chronic exposure  has been linked to DNA damage which can cause  non melanoma skin cancers  -basal cell and squamous cell cancers.
• Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays are responsible for sunburn  and increases the risk of melanoma( the deadliest form of skin cancer)
• High energy Visible 
• UVA, UVB and HEV Light rays can induce hyperpigmentation and may contribute to conditions such as age spots (also known as sun spots) and melasma

TEMPERATURE

Extreme temperatures, and the fluctuation between them can impact on  your skin.

Cold  weather causes the  narrowing the blood vessels  in your skin,  to protect the body from losing too much heat. Continued  exposure to cold temperatures reduces  sebaceous gland secretion and cause  your skin to dry out.

Hot and humid conditions (for example tropical countries or a sauna) results in an increase in sweat production, leaving the skin moist and shiny and, in some cases, prone to acne. 

Air plane travel and central heating  reduce the level of humidity causing  your  skin to become dehydrated and lead to increased sensitivity.

Certain skin conditions, like Rosacea can also be triggered by hot temperatures. This is why it is recommended to use warm rather than hot water for facial cleansing, hand washing and bathing.

Inappropriate skincare

The use of  an inappropriate  skin care regime and  harsh skincare products can  stress skin resulting in premature ageing.

SKIN CARE

The ideal skin care routine can be mind boggling with the choice of beauty products available,  which claim to work miracles. Incorrect skincare choice  can exacerbate skin problems , especially if you  have sensitive skin. If skin care is used  improperly, it can do more harm than good. 

AGGRESSIVE PRODUCTS

Human skin is naturally mildly acidic. the use of aggressive cleansers and moisturisers with an alkaline pH stress the skin’s natural  ability to neutralise  resulting in damage to the  cell structure, impairing  the barrier function of the outermost layer of the epidermis. This results in the skin drying out and become sensitive or even hypersensitive.

Sensitive skin is more susceptible to infections and flare-ups, and  is particularly prone to the drying and damaging effects of harsh products.

OVERWASHING

Showering or bathing too often, for too long and with hot water  may  leads to a loss of your skin’s natural moisturising factors (known as NMFs) and surface lipids, This results in an increase  skin dryness  and roughness. 

Diet and exercise 

 A balanced diet will help to keep skin healthy, this includes 

• Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins (fish instead of meat) 
• Antioxidant-rich foods seem to have protective benefit including yellow and orange fruits and vegetables (e.g. carrots and apricots), blueberries, green leafy vegetables (e.g. spinach), tomatoes, peas, beans and lentils, fish rich in Omega oils and nuts. 

Diets that exclude a particular food group and its nutritional value are not, on the whole, good for skin health. It is, however, advisable to limit the intake of sweets and dairy. It is also important to drink plenty of water, especially for elderly people. 

Regular exercise has a positive impact on skin health as well as overall fitness. 

Lifestyle Choices

SMOKING
Smoking  causes free radical damage to the skin making it appear more wrinkled and less elasticity and less glow. Smoking makes skin look older and contributes to wrinkles by: 

• Narrowing the tiny blood vessels in the inner layers of skin. This decreases blood flow and depletes skin of oxygen and nutrients such as Vitamin A. 
• Damaging collagen and elastin: the fibers that give skin its strength and elasticity.

SLEEP
A good night’s sleep gives  your cells a chance to regenerate and helps with skin renewal.

Beautiful skin is a lifelong process, and controlling what is within your power and developing a daily skin care routine today, can help you keep beautiful skin for the future.

If you want gorgeous skin, the choices you make today will help that happen. Book in your COMPLIMENTARY  SKIN FITNESS WORKSHOP with me today

This 45 min workshop includes:

• A personalised skin analysis
• A thorough review of your current homecare regime
• Recommended changes and additions to your homecare regime
• A Mini Medi Facial
• Two week follow up progress report 

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