Well maintain it...

The skin is our envelope, a protective barrier, an organ for touch, and a window to our inner. Here are four reasons to maintain and take care of our skin.

Because enjoying a beautiful skin is an important requirement to feel well from the inside.

 

Role and Anatomy of the Skin

Three distinct layers

The skin is divided into three distinct layers:

• The epidermis
• The dermis
• The hypodermis

 

The epidermis

This is the skin we see. It is in contact with air and is constantly in decomposition in form of small fragments: it is the skin peeling. The epidermis contains keratin, which is also a constituent of hair and nails. Between the epidermis and dermis are melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin under the action of UV sunlight.

 

The dermis

This is the basic layer of the skin. It contains all the glands, hair, blood vessels and nerve endings. The dermis gives the skin its strength and elasticity, due to collagen and elastin. The sudoriparous glands secrete sweat and regulate body temperature. The sebaceous glands secrete sebum that lubricates and softens the skin.

 

The hypodermis

This is the deepest layer of the skin. It contains blood vessels and fat cells. This is also where vascular and nerve branches circulate.  They all play three roles:

• A protective role: the skin acts as a barrier to germs and harmful radiation
• A regulatory role: it produces sweat to maintain body temperature at 37 °
• A dietary role: it produces vitamin D under the action of UV, essential to the development and strength of the bones

 

Skin Diseases

Eczema

There are two forms of eczema:

• Atopic eczema: a disease that most often affects infants and young children and is caused by an allergy. There is often a familial allergic predisposition (brothers, sisters, parents with hay fever, asthma, eczema...). This results in red, dry or bleeding patches, tremendously itchy. The most difficult thing for the pediatrician or dermatologist is managing to remove this eczema which we do not know really the cause. For babies, doctors recommend hypoallergenic milk when parents have an allergic history, but the search for an allergy is a long and tedious investigation.
• Contact eczema: it may appear during adulthood, and is an allergic skin reaction to a substance that is previously tolerated by the skin (nickel, cleaning products, perfume...). The reaction is the same as in atopic eczema: Red plate, sometimes bleeding and itchy.
• For the maintenance of these skins, it is best to use a free of soap "soap" and dry the skin after cleansing. Today there are moisturizer milks for atopic skin that relieve and space out attacks.

If, despite all, the eczema patches prevent you from sleeping and living normally, a doctor may, if necessary, prescribe a cortisone cream, very effective, but dangerous on the long term.

Taking an antihistamine can also bring good results.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disorder, which can also (rarely) affect the joints. It mainly affects adults and has origins still shrouded in mystery.

Epidermal cells (meaning the cells from the surface of the skin) get carried away, they reproduce too quickly and their elimination is not fast enough, causing the plates. They are red with more or less thick white dandruff and itch a lot. They may bleed, and thus become infected. Psoriasis is mostly found on the elbows, knees, scalp, face, feet, hands, and nails.

The treatments are varied, but they do not cure the disease. They reduce the proliferation of cells, lubricate the skin and thus improve appearance. Phototherapy is widely used, with UV A radiation and sometimes with UV B. 

Biotherapies are available today for the treatment of severe psoriasis. This treatment is usually very effective. Warning: these particular treatments should always be performed under medical supervision.

 

Stretch Marks

They are small cracks that gradually appear on the skin when it is stretched. This happens in case of significant growth after a rapid weight loss or after pregnancy. There is no miracle cream, but laser treatments, without guarantee of success.

 

Vitiligo

These are white spots that appear gradually and extend. It is not a contagious or infectious disease, and the causes are often hereditary. The danger is primarily the sun. It is imperative to apply a cream with a high sun protection factor to avoid burns. There is no truly effective treatment.

 

How to Avoid Small Skin Sores

Mycosis (Fungi), warts, infections, herpes...

When they occur, these invaders should be treated by a dermatologist who will prescribe oral medications or topical application.

 

Some common sense things to observe

• Wash your hands before you cut the nails of the hands or feet.
• Take a shower a day is enough, and dry off well with a towel, emphasize on creases and between the toes: the humidity makes the happiness of bacteria.
• Wear sandals in the pool, and if you are susceptible to warts, wear swimming slippers.
• Wash yourself upon going out of the pool.
• Never borrow shoes from your relatives or friends, fungal infections are invisible and highly contagious.
• Choose bathroom rugs that can be washed at 95 degrees and do it every week.
• If you are injured, immediately disinfect the wound to prevent infection.

 

The herpes virus

The mouth herpes (also known as cold sores) is a highly contagious virus.

Once settled, it has the tendency to "sleep" most of the time and "wake up" in certain conditions: fatigue, stress, sun exposure... Ask your doctor for advice.

 

Preventing Skin Cancer

The skin cancers have risen sharply in recent years. Fashionable tanning and development of holiday in the sun are the two causes of this alarming increase.

There are two types of skin cancer: carcinomas and melanomas.

 

Carcinomas

These are the most common forms of skin cancer. There are two types of carcinomas: Basal cell and squamous cell.

They grow at the deepest level of the epidermis; the skin thickens and can take on the appearance of a mole that grows. If you find a change appearance of your moles, consult your doctor.

 

Melanomas

Much rare than carcinomas, they are tumors that grow in the melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin (skin pigmentation).

This cancer is experiencing a sharp increase in number due to brutal sun exposure of our unprepared and poorly protected skin during our vacation. It is therefore essential to take precautions before exposure and use sunscreen with a high sun protection factor!

These cancers are the direct result of sun damage on skin: a child unprotected skin is damaged in addition to future sunburns. Melanoma is prepared during childhood. On the other hand, UV tanning booths also have their share of responsibility...

The purpose of a vacation is to relax and look good, no back burned, so protect yourself from the sun, and teach your children to be wary.

 

When to see a dermatologist?

• You have a mole that changes in size, color, and sometimes bleeds
• You will see a small flat pigmented spot
• You find a spot on the uneven contours, on little swollen and irregular surface, which grows and takes unusual colors (brown, black, red and sometimes blue...)

All this can be treated easily if you check your doctor on time, and it is better to be alarmed than just allowing them to become a mole.

 

Tips for a Beautiful Skin

The skin is the reflection of our health.

A balanced diet, good nights’ sleep and a few simple steps are the guarantors of a radiant complexion!

 

• Stop smoking: it is the number 1 rule for healthy skin
• Limit alcohol consumption: 2 glasses (or dose) per day maximum
• Drink at least eight glasses of water a day, the double in case of extreme heat
• Eat at least five fruits and vegetables per day
• Wash your face every night with soap free product or lotion
• Moisturize daily with a cream suitable for your type skin
• Protect yourself from the sun by using creams with UV index adapted to the conditions: high at the beach, average in the city, (etc.) and reapply every two hours.
• Wear a hat when gardening or walking and hiking
• Rinse with fresh water after swimming in the sea or pool water, and moisturize with a body lotion
• Wash your hands frequently
• Do not touch your blackheads and pimples; this could lead to secondary infection and scarring. The dermatologist is the best friend of your skin. He is the right person who can provide you with best advice to resolve acne, atopic (allergic) or extreme sensitive skin. Do not hesitate to consult problems.

 

Stop using dangerous beauty products

Keep your eyes open and check the list of ingredients before you buy.

 

Paraben

These preservatives are suspected carcinogens, especially for the breast, by their presence in deodorants.

 

Glycol ethers

They attack the blood cells, genes, fertility and are even carcinogenic.

 

Phthalates

Fixing agents or vectors (DEHP and DBP), they are the most dangerous and classified as toxic for reproduction.

 

Alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates

Emulsifiers, some has a recognized hormonal activity (estrogen) and could damage sperm.

 

The compounds of artificial musks

Used for their scent, they are considered toxic by the European Union.

 

List of other dangerous substances

• polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs)
• Polychlorinated dibenzofurans ( PCDF )
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Pentachlorophenol (PCP)
• Short-chain chlorinated paraffins ( SCCP )
• Isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)
• Mercury and organic mercury compounds
• Cadmium
• Lead and organic lead compounds
• Organotin compounds
• Nonylphenol / nonylphenol ethoxylates (NP / NPEs)
• Brominated flame retardants
• PVC

 

More and more manufacturers indicate the expression "Paraben Free" on their packaging. Do not hesitate to read the rest of the composition to check other substances.

Prevent and Treat Acne

Acne is a skin disease caused by excessive production of sebum, during major hormonal changes, such as puberty.

The epidermis thickens, impeding sebum circulation which forms a pocket. The inflammation of the pocket by the skin bacteria creates a button.

In adolescence, boys are the most affected, under the influence of testosterone (the male hormone) and the thickness of their skin. Pimples and blackheads appear on the face, neck, and sometimes shoulders and back. Acne affects nearly three-quarters of the teens, and mostly disappears at the age of 20-25 years, but it can still affect people with oily skin, women in particular, during hormonal changes periods.

 

Treatments

Treatments are both local with the application of creams on the affected areas and oral, with drugs that reduce the production of sebum. Before you start, consult a dermatologist who will prescribe the right formula according to your skin type and extent of your acne.

The diet does not really affect acne. However, some foods can cause pimples, when the liver says "stop": the case of meats, spicy dishes, sweets and sodas and too much fatty foods, like chips, peanuts etc...

On a daily basis, make sure to have clean hands and wash your face and affected areas with a mild soap of acidic PH.

Beware of the sun: UV thickens the skin, and there is often an increase of buttons after the holidays... Protect yourself with a cream with a high UV index

The Boom in Cosmetics for Men

Men of the 21st century are more likely to adopt cosmetics on a daily basis to moisturize, soothe and cheer.

Men's skin is thicker, more rugged than women, richer in sebum and assaulted daily by the soap and shaving.

 

What do these male products have in specific?

They are often less fragrant than women products, but otherwise the composition is very similar.

They are also less fat to attract a clientele that general reluctance to have leftover cream on hands...

Except for the basic male product which is aftershave, almost the same range of colleague cosmetics exists: moisturizer, anti wrinkle, exfoliating, etc…

Beauty products are also being developed, and we can find in the market lip gloss for men, matt look powder, concealer and manicure.

 

Are these products effective?

Such as women products: yes and no...

No cream will ever prevent the formation of wrinkles, normal development of the dermis over time.

But to protect the skin from the main external aggressions (cold, sun, water hardness, pollution) they allow the skin to win longer hydration and elasticity.

So using a good cream for your skin according to the advice of a dermatologist cannot be harmful and provide some daily comfort. It s already something!