Human skin is an organ necessary for life, covering the body, having a complex structure, multifunctionality and connection with all body systems. It is an aesthetic indicator of physical he alth and protects the body from numerous negative influences. This body studies the science of histology, and treats such areas of medicine as cosmetology and dermatology. To ensure effective care, it is necessary to know the features, structure and thickness of human skin.
Skin properties
Human skin has unique properties. It is the largest multi-layered organ of the body. An adult has skin covering an area of 1.5-1.8 m 2, weighing 17% of body weight. They are soft, durable and flexible. Elastic layers are resistant to liquids, weakly concentrated alkalis and acids, temperature fluctuations. They have sensitivity due to numerous receptors that transmitinformation about environmental conditions in the brain, and the ability to self-heal.
Features of the skin
On the skin surface there is a pattern of rhombic and triangular areas, formed by grooves, which on the fingers and toes are collected in patterns unique to each individual. This feature is used to establish the identity in forensics. The color of the skin depends on the color of its tissues, the degree of translucence of the vessels, the amount of melanin pigment. It varies from dark brown to pale pink in different human races. The main part of the skin is covered with hair, with the exception of the mucous membranes, palms, soles. The glands located in the depths (sweat, sebaceous) have their holes on the surface - pores. In 1 cm 2 of skin there are approximately 200 receptors, 5 million hairs and 100 pores.
Skin structure
Skin is a very complex organ. Under a microscope, on a section, you can see 3 sections of human skin, called so: epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. They are different in composition, structure and purpose.
The epidermis is a multi-layer surface tissue capable of keratinization, desquamation and recovery. Thickness from 0.04 mm at the eyelids to 1.6 mm at the soles and palms. It is separated by a basement membrane from the dermis and has 5 layers with different purposes, the first 3 are formed by living cells, and the last 2 are dead. Each of them is responsible for a specific function:
- basal - the emergence of epidermal cells at night,production of melanin in special cells melanocytes;
- spiky - production of durable keratin protein;
- grainy - skin hydration;
- shiny - prevent wear and tear on the feet and hands;
- horny - exfoliation of skin scales.
The epidermis has a large number of nerve endings and no blood vessels. This layer of the skin is nourished by lymph through the intercellular tubules. The dense epidermis is a protection for the deeper parts of the skin.
Under the surface cover is the dermis of a strong connective tissue in the form of intertwined collagen protein fibers, giving the tissues elasticity and firmness. Consists of papillary and reticular layers. In the dermis there are sweat and sebaceous glands, capillaries, roots of nails, hair and nerve endings. A large accumulation of the latter in certain areas of the skin - biologically active points - used in acupuncture. Connective tissue is capable of healing damage. New cells of this layer are especially actively formed during the waning moon, which is taken into account when choosing the optimal timing of medical operations. The collagen fibers of the dermis have the ability to retain and accumulate moisture, which affects the elasticity and smoothness of the skin. The epidermis and dermis are closely related. Their coordination weakens with age, and the surface cover ceases to receive enough nutrients and oxygen.
The lower part of the skin - the hypodermis - is a subcutaneous tissue containing areas of adipose tissue separated by layers of connective structures. Hereblood vessels and sweat glands are located. Such a layer of human skin serves to enhance its strength, a barrier against mechanical damage, heat loss, and shaping the body. And also as a reserve of nutrients in case of adverse conditions. The amount of fat is affected by age, lifestyle and the he alth of the hormonal system.
In an adult, the thickness of the skin is approximately 2 mm. Nails, glands (milk, sweat and sebaceous), hair are adnexal formations of the cover.
Skin functions
The primary purpose of the skin is protection from environmental influences. Let us consider in more detail what functions the human skin performs:
- Protection of tissue integrity under various influences: mechanical, microbes, bacteria, radiation; the introduction of foreign objects into the tissues.
- UV protection through the formation of melanin in the skin, turning it darker and neutralizing free radicals during prolonged exposure to the sun.
- Heat regulation through the action of the sweat glands and the thermal insulation function of the hypodermis, which consists of adipose tissue.
- Signal functions are produced using receptors and nerve endings in the skin that inform the brain about external influences and temperature changes.
- Excretory - maintaining water balance by removing excess fluid from the body with sweat glands.
- Participation in metabolic processes through the penetration of toxins and waste products through the skin(acetone, urea, s alts, bile pigments, ammonia), external consumption of biological elements (vitamins, trace elements) and oxygen (2% of body gas exchange).
- Formation of vitamin D under the influence of ultraviolet radiation of the sun.
- Help hydrate and glide, especially around the feet and hands,
- Recognition of allergens by Langerhans cells in the epidermis, activating the immune response.
In terms of the power of mineral, water and gas exchange, the skin is second only to muscles and the liver.
Skin types and conditions
According to the thickness of the epidermis, the skin is thin (hair grows on it, there are 3-4 layers of keratinized cells, there is no shiny cover) and thick (on the palms and soles, there is no hair, there are all layers of the epidermis, keratinized cells are located in tens structures).
According to the degree of activity of the sebaceous glands, human skin can be divided into oily, dry, combination and normal. The first type is characterized by high activity of the sebaceous glands and the normal functioning of sweat glands, a low content of epidermal fats, water-retaining fibers.
For dry skin, no defining criteria have been identified. It is characterized by tightening after washing, early appearance of mimic wrinkles, quickly loses moisture and flakes off without the use of special nourishing and moisturizing products.
Combination skin differs in areas with different functional features. The rare normal type of epidermis highlights the ability to quickly recover, he althy appearance and lack of oily sheen.
With age, the structureskin may change. However, you can always determine its type yourself. For this purpose, after 1-2 hours after washing, you need to attach a paper napkin to your face and carefully examine the prints on it.
Depending on the degree of sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, the skin can be distinguished by phototypes: the first is Celtic (white, quickly burning), the second is Nordic (tan does not lay down well), the third is dark European (reacts well to sunlight), the fourth - Mediterranean (dark, does not burn), fifth - Indonesian (not affected by the negative effects of the sun), sixth - African American (very dark skin).
Under the influence of adverse factors, the skin can be in various states. She happens:
- sensitive;
- dehydrated;
- problematic;
- fading.
When selecting skin care products, age, type and condition should be taken into account.
Unfavorable factors for the skin
Factors affecting skin condition are:
- heredity;
- hygiene;
- climate, prolonged exposure to frost or sun;
- deficiency or excess of vitamins;
- improper care (use of alcohol products, washing with hot water and soap, leading to dehydration and sebum secretion);
- hormonal age-related changes (improper functioning of the sebaceous glands);
- malnutrition and drinking regimen;
- mechanical effects;
- wrong workendocrine, circulatory, nervous, digestive systems;
- frequent stress;
- smoking and alcohol;
- hormonal drugs.
Skin and age
Cosmetologists consider the skin to be mature or fading when a person reaches 30-40 years old and on the basis of some, not necessarily all, signs: wrinkles, sagging, age spots, translucent capillaries, yellowish tint, dryness, roughness. The optimal age for the active use of cosmetics for the face and body is considered to be 35 years. The main principles for slowing down the aging of the epidermis are: stop using ordinary soap and carefully protect against adverse factors.
The skin of the elderly is especially vulnerable and prone to disease due to thinning, sagging, reduced collagen, perspiration and sebum secretion. It requires special care and is prone to ailments that are studied by geriatric dermatology.
The Importance of Skin Care
People have understood the need for skin care since ancient times, when they began to use natural reservoirs, baths, scrapers, aromatic infusions, oils for this purpose. Maintaining he alth involves taking care of keeping the skin, nails and hair in good condition. A special medical section - hygiene, studies the influence of people's living conditions on their he alth. Keeping the body clean leads to an improvement in protective functions, an increase in the resistance of the skin and the entire human body to external influences.
Care methodsleather
Hygiene is the companion of beauty. Showering twice a day is necessary to keep the skin clean. To cleanse a greater thickness of human skin, it is recommended to periodically use peeling or scrubs. The first involves the removal of dead cells and skin secretions from the epidermis using products with fruit acids. For dry skin, it is necessary to carry it out every 2 weeks, for mixed and oily skin - every seven days. Scrub is a cosmetic preparation with solid particles for exfoliating the top layer of human skin. Strengthening of keratinization and desquamation can be affected by: lack of vitamin A, treatment with certain hormones, mechanical influences.
The pigment of the epidermis protects the body from the penetration of ultraviolet radiation into it, but the skin in the sun coarsens, dehydrates, flakes, wrinkles and age spots appear. In addition, the functioning of the immune system worsens. This can be avoided by protecting the skin with sunscreen and sunbathing for no more than 1 hour.
Moisturizing the epidermis with gentle patting techniques using special products is best done after a morning or evening shower (bath).
Nutrition of the skin with creams is carried out with light movements along the massage lines. Keep your hands warm and your skin slightly damp.
Skincare
Daily skin care is aimed at cleansing, nourishing, maintaining tone, and moisturizing. Cosmetology activities are carried out with various means, specially selected for skin type:
- shower gel and cream;
- body butter;
- bath and bath s alt;
- masks and body wraps;
- tonics, gels and lotions;
- moisturizing and nourishing creams for face, neck, lips, eye area.
Traditionally, more attention is paid to the skin of the face, but we must not forget about the neck. In beauty salons, various professional techniques are used to improve the condition of any skin:
- laser rejuvenation to eliminate pigmentation and stimulate collagen production;
- photorejuvenation to eliminate skin problems with light pulses;
- ELOS rejuvenation with high-frequency current;
- thermage using RF radiation to heat and produce collagen;
- injectable anti-wrinkle rejuvenation;
- mesotherapy for skin tightening;
- ozone method to stimulate metabolic processes;
- chemical peeling for cardinal rejuvenation;
- different types of massage.
Skin care activities are different at different times of the year. Some winter procedures are ineffective and even dangerous in summer, and vice versa.
Cosmetics for problem skin
Perfect epidermis is rare in humans. Greasy shine, freckles, dryness, redness and acne cause a lot of trouble to their owners and make them look for remedies to eliminate skin problems. One of them is special cosmetics that have a therapeutic effect and deal with:
- elimination of irritation;
- shine reduction;
- disinfection and stop the spread of inflammation;
- color enhancement;
- drying;
- whitening;
- pore cleansing;
- reducing the intensity of the vascular network;
- preventing new breakouts;
- acne removal;
- reducing the appearance of dermatosis and eczema.
There are a lot of modern cosmetics for problem skin on the market, both for self-use and with the help of specialists. The main conditions for effective care for such an epidermis are timeliness, regularity, proper nutrition and maintaining the body in optimal physical shape.
Interesting facts about human skin
2,460 ml of blood passes through the skin per minute. It is fully updated every 28 days. The skin, along with the lungs, takes part in the respiration of the body, 3 g of oxygen enters and 9 g of carbon dioxide is removed through it. An adult produces 700-1300 ml of sweat per day, and also loses 500 kilocalories. In women who smoke, the protective organ ages 4 times faster. The thickness of a person's skin is different on different parts of his body: the thickest is on the palms and soles - up to 10 mm, extremely thin on the eyelids - 0.1 mm. 182 species of bacteria live on this organ.
Our skin is a gift that we received from nature, and we need to properly dispose of it. It is necessary to help your body in general and protective tissues in particular in overcoming the negative impact on them. After all, only he althy skin can fulfill its many important functions.functions.
