Ananda Mahony
NaomiDoes your skin feel like a dried out prune?
June 30th 2008 00:01
If your skin lacks radiance and feels "tight" it is likely that it is dehydrated. The appearance of fine lines due to loss of elasticity and flexibility are other key signs of dehydrated skin. Moisture evaporates readily through the skin, and if we don't stop this occurrence our skin looses its ability to protect against the outside environment leading to even more moisture loss and in the long term, actual skin damage due to poor cellular integrity.
Wind, sun and pollution as well as internal factors such as diet, nutrient levels and hereditary all play a role in the determining the health of our skin as an effective barrier. The very outer layer of our epidermis (top skin layer) is the real protective layer of the skin. It is made up of flattened dead keratinocytes. These dead skin cells are regularly shed and replaced by deeper skin layers moving up to the surface. The glue that keeps the keratinocytes together is formed by lipids such as fatty acids ceramides and cholesterol. This layer forms a waterproof barrier that reduces "Trans Epidermal Water Loss" or TEWL, ensuring adequate moisture content for the skin. It is this barrier that protects against chemicals, irritants and micro-organisms. A deficiency in these epidermal lipids causes the water retention powers of the epidermis to be significantly reduced. Moisture evaporation and skin dehydration generally follow.
One section of the skin's waterproof moisture barrier is slightly acidic and as such is know as the acid mantle. The acidity of this layer is due to secretions from the sebaceous and sweat glands and its function is once again protection but in particular stopping the growth of bacteria and fungi. It also assists with maintaining the "glue" that keeps the outer layer skin cells bound together. If acid pH of the skin is disrupted it becomes more alkaline and starts to lose its protective properties.
It is the balance of sebum (skin oil) and perspiration that keeps the skin healthy. Skin dehydration occurs when the water and oils that form part of the protective layer are out of balance. This can happen for a number of reasons:
1. Evaporation of moisture through the skin. Factors that promote moisture evaporation include dry air (ie lack of humidity or airconditioning), wind, prolonged water exposure (swimming in pools or long showers).
2. Damage to the waterproof barrier or disruption of the acid mantle leaving the skin open to issues such as dehydration, roughness, infection, redness and irritation. Synthetic foaming agents such as sodium laurel sulphate are a significant cause of acid mantle disruption.
3. Low water and healthy fat intake - adequate water intake is required to maintain cellular fluid. Essential fatty acids from good fats help maintain the fatty membrane surrounding the cell, holding in moisture and nutrition.
4. Ageing. As we age, there is a reduction in the water holding capacity of the skin as well as the production of natural oils.
In part twof ocuses on solutions for dehydrated skin.
Ananda Mahony ND is a naturopath and holistic skin specialist. Her practice focuses on the treatment of skin conditions. Ananda also owns Vitale Natural Skin & Body Care, a natural & organic skin care store in Paddington. Really Long Link
Wind, sun and pollution as well as internal factors such as diet, nutrient levels and hereditary all play a role in the determining the health of our skin as an effective barrier. The very outer layer of our epidermis (top skin layer) is the real protective layer of the skin. It is made up of flattened dead keratinocytes. These dead skin cells are regularly shed and replaced by deeper skin layers moving up to the surface. The glue that keeps the keratinocytes together is formed by lipids such as fatty acids ceramides and cholesterol. This layer forms a waterproof barrier that reduces "Trans Epidermal Water Loss" or TEWL, ensuring adequate moisture content for the skin. It is this barrier that protects against chemicals, irritants and micro-organisms. A deficiency in these epidermal lipids causes the water retention powers of the epidermis to be significantly reduced. Moisture evaporation and skin dehydration generally follow.
One section of the skin's waterproof moisture barrier is slightly acidic and as such is know as the acid mantle. The acidity of this layer is due to secretions from the sebaceous and sweat glands and its function is once again protection but in particular stopping the growth of bacteria and fungi. It also assists with maintaining the "glue" that keeps the outer layer skin cells bound together. If acid pH of the skin is disrupted it becomes more alkaline and starts to lose its protective properties.
It is the balance of sebum (skin oil) and perspiration that keeps the skin healthy. Skin dehydration occurs when the water and oils that form part of the protective layer are out of balance. This can happen for a number of reasons:
1. Evaporation of moisture through the skin. Factors that promote moisture evaporation include dry air (ie lack of humidity or airconditioning), wind, prolonged water exposure (swimming in pools or long showers).
2. Damage to the waterproof barrier or disruption of the acid mantle leaving the skin open to issues such as dehydration, roughness, infection, redness and irritation. Synthetic foaming agents such as sodium laurel sulphate are a significant cause of acid mantle disruption.
3. Low water and healthy fat intake - adequate water intake is required to maintain cellular fluid. Essential fatty acids from good fats help maintain the fatty membrane surrounding the cell, holding in moisture and nutrition.
4. Ageing. As we age, there is a reduction in the water holding capacity of the skin as well as the production of natural oils.
In part twof ocuses on solutions for dehydrated skin.
Ananda Mahony ND is a naturopath and holistic skin specialist. Her practice focuses on the treatment of skin conditions. Ananda also owns Vitale Natural Skin & Body Care, a natural & organic skin care store in Paddington. Really Long Link
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