Happy Tuesday Beautiful!
I can’t believe it’s already the end of the summer! With Labor Day just around the corner, it’s clear that fall will rear its head shortly. This also marks the last week of school before most kids go back to school. While I’ve been out of school for many years, I always strive to keep learning by way of reading and doing research. I believe that we should never stop learning and continue to expand our range of knowledge. In honor of the back to school season, I wanted to play teacher and educate you all more about skin by going in depth about its importance. We often talk about skin in terms of its appearance, focusing on external issues like aging and acne. However, I always try to teach my clients about skin health, and how beautiful skin starts from within. Today, I wanted to go a little bit deeper and discuss just why the skin is one of the most important organs, and how proper skincare should be thought of as a necessary medical treatment, as opposed to an aesthetic preference.
It’s common knowledge that your skin is your largest organ in your body. However, it can easily be forgotten that your skin is also the first line of defense when it comes to protecting your body from everything from germs to any kind of impact. Skin protects our inner organs and allows our bodies to function properly without being affected by the outside world. Skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutis, all of which work together. The epidermis is the outermost layer, which is made up of cells that are constantly replenishing themselves as the ones that get pushed to the top die and flake off (also known as dead skin). Approximately every five weeks, the cells are completely new and different from those you had five weeks prior. The epidermis also contains Langerhans cells, which work with the immune system to protect the body from disease. The next layer is known as the dermis, which is the layer that is made up of collagen fibers and elastin, lending the skin its elasticity. The dermis is responsible for helping to regulate body temperature by choosing to allow more or less blood to flow depending on the temperature and contains the receptors that allow the body to communicate things like touch and pain with the brain. Finally, the bottom layer of the skin is the subcutis, which is made up of subcutaneous tissue and fat, which serves as both insulation and protects the skeleton from bumps and falls.
As you can see, understanding the function and design of our skin allows you to further appreciate its importance. With that being said, while your skin is smart in its design, it does require maintenance to keep it functioning optimally to support your overall health. It’s because of this that I believe skincare should be treated more as a preventative medical measure than something that simply affects the way you look. For example, when you moisturize your skin, you add another layer of protection to the existing layers, furthering its protective capabilities. When skin cells are hydrated, it makes it easier for them to repair themselves and regenerate. Additionally, as you age, the rate at which your skin cells turnover decreases. This is why exfoliating and removing dead skin cells manually is extremely beneficial as you get older, as it helps the skin do its job more efficiently. Overall, my point I’d like to get across is that skin should be cared for with the same importance that you’d devote to the rest of your health care. And for those of you who already devote time to give your skin some love regularly, feel good knowing you’re supporting your overall health!
Did you know about the importance of understanding the function of the skin? Does this change how you think about your skincare routine? I hope you enjoyed learning more today and that you continue to strive to educate yourself, especially when it comes to your health!
I would like to thank you so much for reading and so generously sharing! It’s always fabulous sharing these wonderful tips with you all!
With all my love,
Cecilia
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