The Skin

I just attended a Dermalogica class tonight and it got me all excited about skin again. I often forget that as a consumer, you don't always understand what we are talking about and I just assume it's common knowledge. My apologies.

Here is a little science behind skin: 

Functions: Protection, sensation, heat regulation, storage and synthesis, excretion, absorption and water resistance. 

The skin is composed of 3 parts:

1.) Epidermis: Stratum Germinativum, Stratum Spinosum, Stratum, Granulosm, and Stratum Corneum. 

2.) Dermis

3.) Subcutis (Hypodermis)

     The Epidermis is the dead outer layer of skin. During facials we exfoliate this skin to create a nice smooth, refined texture as well as allow for better product penetration. This also encourages cellular turn over of new healthy cells which help to maintain your natural moisture barrier. 

     Between the Epidermis and the Dermis we have the dermal-epidermal junction. This supports and maintains the structure of the skin (adheres the dermis to the epidermis).  This is where our cells are produced and divide. One cell stays behind to go through mitosis while the other cell gets pushed up towards the skins surface. This process (called desquamation) usually take 28 - 50+ days. The younger we are, the faster the process. As we reach middle age our desquamation rate slows down dramatically. We need products such as exfoliants to help speed it up. 

     Our dermis is mainly composed of connective tissue: elastin fibres, collagen, capillaries, sweat glands, sebaceous glands and hair follicles. This portion of your skin is what gives it volume and tone. 

     The subcutis (or hypodermis) is not actually part of your skin but acts more of a cushion to protect it. Composed mainly of loose connective tissue and elastin (contains 50% of body fat).  Its purpose is to attach the skin to the underlying bone and muscle. 

Permeability is the ability for substances to penetrate or diffuse through the skin. 

I will write a new blog soon on which products penetrate to which layers of the skin and their effects :) 

Stay tuned...