Skin Diseases and Skin Care Basics

Skin is the largest organ of the body and weighs about 6.6 pounds.
It is a very complicated organ and performs many functions.
Basically, the skin is composed of three layers, namely: epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Each layer is made up of complicated structuresthat contain many specialized cells.

Epidermis:

The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin and in turn contains 5 layers.
The outer layer of the epidermis is called the stratum corneum and it's job is toact as a screen against outside forces.

Dermis:

The dermis is the second layer of the skin and it is the framework of the skin. It's collagen and tissues give the skin its structure.

Subcutaneous Tissue:

The subcutaneous tissue is the third layer of the skin and
contains fat and the larger blood vessels that supply blood to the skin. For this reason, it is responsible for regulating the temperature of both skin and body.

Functions of Skin

Apart from making you look beautiful, skin performs many functions.
The working of the skin is still not very clear to the scientists.
This accounts for the inability of scientists to provide solutions to all skin problems.

Shield:

Simply put, skin shields your body and prevents foreign bodies from entering and binds your body together.

Protection:

Skin keeps bacteria, fungi, and viruses from damaging itself and entering the body.

Sensation:

Skin helps you sense the world around you.

Renewal:
Skin repairs wounds.

Regulate Temperature:
Skin helps keep our body temperature within an acceptable range.

UV Protection:

Skin keeps UV rays (sunlight) from damaging your body.

Attraction:

Skin signals others as to the state of your health and helps you attract a mate.

Skin Care Basics

Every cream or lotion in the market today will claim to make you look so much better.
And to an average person, the choice of which one is best for his or her skin can be an overwhelming experience.

The Good News About Skin Care

The good news is skin care can be as simple as you want it to be. Washing your face doesn't have to be a 10-step ritual, and you don't have to max out your credit card;
neither do you need to fill up your medicine cabinet with shelves of products.
The fact is, good skin care involves 3 basic steps:

Cleansing

Getting rid of grime and chemicals while limiting the stress of daily cleansing

Moisturizing

Hydrating and replenishing the skin

Using Sunscreen

Protecting the skin from harmful UV rays

Step 1 - Cleansing

Most of us know that cleansing is an important part of good skin care. The purpose of a cleanser, or soap, is to surround, loosen, and make it easy to remove dirt, stains, debris, germs, excess oils, and left-over products applied to the skin. Unfortunately, some cleansers are harmful to the skin.

Many people get dry skin from their cleansing routines, which means that their skin is not normally dry. Some people mistakenly think that their skin isn't clean enough until it feels dry or tight, or both, after they wash it. People get used to the way their skin normally feels. They come to expect that their skin will change depending on the seasons. For example, they expect to have dry, rough patches on the backs of their hands, itch and dull complexion in winter. They don't know that their choice of cleanser could be hurting their skin.

How do you know what type of cleanser to use and where? The first step is to understand
your cleanser options:

Bar soaps

The most irritating cleansers but the best to get rid of dirt and grime.

Liquid cleansers

A wide variety of tolerance - good for cleaning all but the oiliest skin.

Facial cleansers

The mildest cleanser but may not remove oil and dirt as well.

Cleansing Facts

You don't have to feel dry to be clean.
You have good options.
Use the mildest cleanser possible that still removes dirt, oil and debris

Step 2 - Moisturizing

Moisturizing is an essential step in good skin care. A good moisturizer can stop the dry skin cycle from spiraling into cracked, thick, flaky skin. An effective moisturizer will have a combination of ingredients that:

Replenish the skin's natural ingredients that help maintain its structureCut down on damage from free-radicals
Help the cells function more normally

Good Moisturizer Ingredients

In the past, moisturizers were essentially water and wax mixtures that worked by trying to hold water in the skin. The only real difference between these moisturizers was how they "felt" to the consumer. Now there is complex science behind the new moisturizers that are available. Some ingredients that you'll find in these state-of-the-art moisturizers are:

Glycerol

Helps water and other moisturizer ingredients penetrate
the skin to get where they are needed.

Ceramides

Help replenish the skin's natural oils.

Hydroxy Acids

Help with exfoliation of dead skin cells

Niacinamide

Helps the skin produce more natural oils, and may also help reverse the signs of sun-damaged skin, like brown spots and blotchiness

How to Choose a Moisturizer

Not all skin is the same, and not all moisturizers are the same. Picking out the best moisturizer for your skin depends on what your skin needs. Consider the following skin conditions when choosing a moisturizer:

Moisturizers for dry skin
Moisturizers for oily skin
Moisturizers for normal skin
Moisturizers for acne-prone skin
Moisturizers for red skin
Moisturizers for eczema, atopic dermatitis, or sensitive skin
Moisturizers with sunscreen

Moisturizer Facts

Don't settle for your grandmother's old cold cream. Pick a moisturizer with good
ingredients for your skin, and enjoy your healthier skin.


Step 3 - Sunscreen

The final step in a good skin care program is using sunscreen, but it's the most forgotten.
It's easy to tell if your skin is dirty or dry, requiring a good washing or some added moisture. We can see or feel that our skin needs some extra care. Unfortunately, most of the damage to the skin from UV radiation is beneath the surface and happens so slowly that we don't realize how much damage is being done.

Most people know that exposure to UV radiation can cause sun damage to the skin, including sunburn, photoaging, and increased risk of skin cancer. But did you know this damage also occurs when you walk from your house to your car or sit next to a window during the day? Even those little bits of exposure add up over the years and can cause wrinkles, dark spots and skin cancer.

Sunscreen Decisions. There are several factors to consider when picking out a sunscreen:

How sunscreens work

Everyday sunscreen vs out-in-the-sun sunscreen
Using a sunscreen alone vs sunscreen plus moisturizer
Understanding the UV-index
How to be safe in the sun

Sunscreen Bottom Line

You've worked hard to take care of your skin by cleansing and moisturizing it. Don't undo all those benefits by exposing it to UV radiation. Find a good broad-spectrum sunscreen and make its application a part of your daily routine like brushing your teeth and bathing.


Skin Health

Question: What's the Difference Between Healthy and Unhealthy Skin?
Whether you know it or not, the health of your skin is being judged everyday. You do it yourself when you look in the mirror for blotches and bumps. Other people are also looking at your skin to determine how attractive you are.

Is your skin healthy or unhealthy? How do you know the difference? What are the components of healthy skin? Knowing the answers to these questions is the first step in determining how you should be taking care of your skin. The following are components of healthy skin.

Even Color

Consistent color is a sign of youthful, healthy skin. Studies have shown that consistent, even skin tone is a main element of attractiveness. As a matter of fact, the consistency of skin color is considered more attractive than having a uneven skin color. Examples of uneven skin color are, but not limited to:

Blotchiness

Dark, light or red spots
Dark circles under eyes

Smooth Texture
Healthy skin looks smooth and feels smooth. This does not mean that the skin is smooth like glass.
The skin has tiny peaks around hair follicles and pores, and tiny valleys in between the peaks.
However, these peaks and valleys are consistent throughout the skin, giving it a uniform appearance.
On the other hand, unhealthy skin does not have a uniform texture. Examples of texture skin problems include:

Bumps
Acne
Blackheads, whiteheads
Wrinkles
Scars

Hydration

Healthy skin is well moisturized. The skin cells slough off but this removing is not noticeable.
If too many skin cells remove at the same time, this surely creates problems that we call:


Flaking skin

Scaly skin
Many a time we blame these conditions on dry skin.

Normal Sensations

Normally, your skin doesn't give you a sign that it's healthy, unless,
perhaps you're looking at it in a mirror. Healthy skin doesn't have any
unusual sensations. Only unhealthy skin gives you signs! Signs of
unhealthy skin sensations include:

Itching
Burning
Stinging
Pulling

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Skin Diseases

Skin disease is a broad term which describes several conditions. Some skin diseases
are serious and deadly, whilst others are plain irritating. Some skin diseases can
disfigure a person, whereas others just sit there.

Acne

Acne is the commonest skin disease handled by physicians. It is a chronic condition
that affects over 90% of adolescents and adults. There are different types of acne that respond to different types of treatment.

Dermatitis
The term dermatitis describes many classifications of rashes. The most common dermatitis is atopic dermatitis or eczema.

Herpes

Herpes simplex virus is the cause of oral and genital herpes. An infection with this virus is life-long. There's no known cure for herpes. But the rash itself can be controlled
with medication. Herpes infections in pregnant women can cause serious infections for the baby.

Seborrheic Keratosis

Seborrheic keratoses are often known as benign lesions, even though they don't look exactly benign. They can have various colors, grow quickly, itch, and sometimes bleed.
Fortunately, they are fairly easy to distinguish from skin cancers.

Hives

When an allergic reaction in the skin releases the chemical histamine, hives can occur in the skin. Acute hives can usually be treated with medicationsbut chronic ones, lasting longer than 6 months, require an investigation as to the cause.

Warts

These are a common skin condition caused by the human papillomavirus. There are many effective treatments, and yes, duct tape is one of them.

Infections

Organisms that cause infection can be bacterial, fungal, or viral.
Infections are caused when these organisms get into the skin from the outside world.

Seborrheic Keratosis

Seborrheic keratoses are often known as benign lesions, even though

they don't look exactly benign. They can have various colors, grow quickly, itch, and sometimes bleed.
Fortunately, they are fairly easy to distinguish from skin cancers.

Psoriasis

Changes in the immune system cause this lifelong skin condition known as psoriasis.
The rash of psoriasis is very distinctive. In recent times, giant strides achieved in the use of
biologic medications have been able to make psoriasis less of an emotional problem.

Rosacea

This is a common skin condition characterized by redness of the face. It's not exactly clear what causes rosacea, but there are effective medications and
treatments that keep it under control.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis causes a characteristic rash on the hair-bearing areas of the
face. Sometimes it can be controlled with dandruff shampoo.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer ranges from the slow-growing basal cell
carcinoma to the potentially fatal melanoma.

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