By Khadija Hawkes, Lifestyle Guide Specialist

Skin is the body’s largest organ and arguably the most multifaceted of its systems. Alternately warming, cooling, and protecting, human skin possesses a myriad of attributes and fills many complex roles. This article will examine the make up of skin, as well as how the skin changes throughout the aging process.

Human skin is made up of three layers. They are the epidermis, dermis, and the hypodermis. Each has a distinct and important role.

The epidermis is the topmost layer of skin and the one that most people are familiar with. This layer protects the body from harmful bacteria and chemicals. In addition, the epidermis contains sweat glands which work to cool the body when overheated. Being the visible layer, the epidermis will reflect the visible signs of aging, scars, or burns.

Often though of as a single layer, the epidermis is actually made up of several stacked layers called keratinocytes. The multi-layered consistency is one of the reasons that exfoliation of dead skin is important, allowing the newer layers underneath to present themselves.

The epidermis also acts as a channel to funnel waste and harmful toxins from your body, in addition to the kidneys and liver.

The dermis is the middle layer of skin and the one which houses the body’s collagen and elastin stores, which are responsible for the skins firmness and smoothness. Also contained in the dermis are the sebaceous glands, nerve endings, sweat glands, and hair follicles. The dermis also regulates the amount of heat on the skin’s surface and conserves energy in cold weather.

The third layer of skin is the hypodermis or subcutaneous layer. Made of flat, dead skin cells, this layer provides protection by regulating evaporation and hindering water loss. In addition, the hypodermis contains mechanisms to protect from “ultraviolet radiation, mechanical damage, foreign chemicals and germs”.

All three layers of the skin work in tandem to consistently protect and rejuvenate our largest organ. However, as the body ages, certain natural and environmental agents lessen the effectiveness of this system, ushering in the visible, and not so visible signs of aging.

As we age, the body produces significantly less collagen and elastin-the substances that aid in firm, tight, and elastic skin. The production begins to slow in your twenties, but the impact is negligible at that time. However as you age, the process accelerates. Depending on your inherited genetic makeup, you may show visible signs of aging in your thirties, while others may retain smooth skin well into their fifties.

In addition to collagen and elastin degeneration, there are other factors that accelerate the aging of ones skin.

Sun damage or “Photoaging” is by far the biggest contributor to the premature appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Even for those who bask in the sun conservatively, the impact of being unprotected can lead to premature aging over time.

Sun damage can manifest itself in many ways, including tough leathery skin, age spots, freckles, wrinkles, loose skin, and the potential for skin cancer. Individuals who have lighter skin, which contains less melanin than its darker counterparts, are at a higher risk for photoaging. Being diligent in the use of sunscreen, avoiding being out during peak sunlight hours, and wearing protective hats can help to minimize the impact of the sun on your skin.

Additional contributors to premature aging of the skin include cigarette smoke, repetitive frowning, sleeping on the same place on your face nightly, tanning, and using harsh chemical based personal care products.

Maintaining vibrant skin is possible, even in the advanced years. In this ongoing series, we will explore the many contributors to aging skin and examine a plethora of solutions to preserve your skin as much as possible as you age.

References:

American Academy of Dermatology. Causes of Aging Skin. 2010. http://www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/basicfacts.html

Dermatology Information System. Skin Structure. 2010. http://skincare.dermis.net/content/e01aufbau/e660/e661/index_eng.html

National Institute of Health. Skin Layers. 2010. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/8912.htm

Posted under: Causes of Aging, LifeStyle Guide, Skin.

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By Khadija Hawkes, Lifestyle Guide Specialist

The skin is your body’s largest organ, with an estimated size of two square yards. Along with the liver, kidneys, lungs, lymphatic system, colon, and blood, the skin works to remove built up toxins and waste from your system, maintaining optimal health.

In order for the process to work efficiently, proper care must be taken to ensure that the skin is healthy and uncongested. If the skin is not properly filling its role of eliminating harmful materials, there can be a buildup of uric acid and other harmful elements under the skin. These elements harm the body from the inside often causing gout, loss of skin elasticity, and an increase in blemishes and wrinkles.

Also, the inability of the skin to filter impurities means that other organs of elimination have to work extra hard to fill the void. Over a prolonged period of time, this may overtax those organs, leading to additional health problems. Conversely, if the other organs, such as the kidneys or lymphatic system are malfunctioning, this puts extra pressure on the skin to remove impurities. If you have poor skin health, your skin may not be up to the task. This can been seen in the form of puffy, swollen skin-especially in the face, acne or other skin blemishes, clogged pores, and poor skin color and tone.

The condition of your skin is largely related to your inner health and diet. Adopting a lifestyle and dietary changes that support internal health helps considerably in optimizing the skin’s function and allowing it to appear its best. Some ways to enhance the detoxification capacity of your skin are:

Drinking pure water is one of the best ways to continuously flush your skin and keep the pathways of elimination open. Water cleanses, heals, and refreshes your skin from the inside out. Water is a key ingredient in skin’s beauty and health.

Therapeutic sweating works to open the skin’s pores and freely allow the escape of toxins. Partaking in a steam bath or sauna is an excellent way to cleans and strengthen your skin.

Skin problems are often traced to an issue in the colon. The retention of excess impacted fecal matter pollutes your system and the affects of this can be seen in the skin. Colonic Hydrotherapy, Enemas, or Herbal cleansing agents help to remove old waste you’re your body and considerably brighten dull, blemished, or clogged skin.

If you have been diagnoses with a sluggish elimination system, natural therapies such as juice fasting and increasing the amount of raw foods you consume can help considerably.

By understanding the varied roles of the skin, it is possible to maximize its efficiency and promote a healthy, vital appearance for years to come.

References:

Dr. Ellen Jensen. The Skin:Our Largest Organ of Elimination. (2005) http://corerelease.com/TheSkin.pdf

Charles O’Palmerson. A 2 Z of Health Beauty and Fitness. Detoxification and Your Health: The Body’s 7 Channels of Elimination. (2010). http://health.learninginfo.org/detoxification2.htm

Posted under: Causes of Aging, LifeStyle Guide, Skin.

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By Khadija Hawkes, Lifestyle Guide Specialist

Drinking an adequate amount of water is one of the simplest, yet most underutilized anti-aging skin care techniques. Water is truly the building block of life and a constant infusion of water purifies and feeds cell tissue for optimal skin at any age. To illustrate this point, we must first look at the makeup of the body’s cells.

All cells, including those on the skin are made up of approximately 70% water. Water surrounds and cushions our cells in the form of interstitial fluid. This fluid protects cells, as well as transports waste from normal metabolic processes. This waste is excreted in many ways, including through the skin.

Also found inside of cells in the form of intracellular fluid, water facilitates many chemical processes and helps to support cell structure. Adequate water consumption is paramount for optimal cell and body function. As the body’s largest organ, this holds true for skin as well.

The recommendation to drink eight to ten glasses of water a day is essential, especially for older adults. Water hydrates the skin’s cells and carries nutrients throughout your body to feed various organs. As skin is the largest organ, and one with many functions, it requires a large amount of fluid on a daily basis. Water works to flush your skin of impurities, regulate body temperature, and maintain a fresh, supple appearance.

Many people do not consume enough water and that fact is quite visible. Lack of adequate water consumption is evident in the form of dry, flaky skin, fine lines, and dark circles. Also, as you age, skin becomes thinner. This allows the signs of water loss to become even more visible.

It is also true that as a person ages, the skin produces less sebum-the skin’s natural lubricating oil. Sebum helps to keep the skin soft and supple. Reduced sebum levels lead to increasingly dry skin, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. Drinking water helps to counteract this process by keeping the skin fortified with a steady supply of natural moisture.

In addition, the body is equipped with a keen survival mechanism. If there is a shortage of water, your body will divert available water to organs which are critical to survival. While the skin is important, it takes a back seat to such organs as the heart, lungs, and liver. Over time, consistent redistribution of water from the skin will cause a dried out, leathery, or parchment type appearance. As you age, this can cause increased cracks and fissures in the skin, which may sometimes bleed. This also increases the depth and width of wrinkles. Increasing your water consumption will help to alleviate this problem.

In addition to drinking water, eating fruits and vegetables with a high water concentration will also help you to remain hydrated. Some examples of water rich fruits are watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, cranberries, apples, and apricots. With each fruit listed, more than 80% of its weight is from water. This is a healthy and delicious way to increase your water intake.

Increasing your water intake, as well as eating water rich fruits and vegetables is a low cost, yet effective way to maintain healthy skin. Your diet is extremely important to your overall health and appearance. By consciously increasing the amount of water your drink, you provide your skin with the basic elements of moisture and renewal.

References:

University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Water Content of Fruits and Vegetables. (1997). http://www.ca.uky.edu/enri/pubs/enri129.pdf

Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Age-related Changes in Sebaceous Gland Activity. (1979). htttp://www.nature.com/jid/journal/v73/n1/abs/5616250a.html

Advameg. Water. (2010) http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/Smi-Z/Water.html

Posted under: LifeStyle Guide, Nutrition, Skin.

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