Dermatology and Skin Conditions
Dermatology and Skin Conditions
Dermatology – Is the study of the skin, its nature, structure, functions, diseases, and treatments.
Epidermis – Is the outermost layer of the skin. The epidermis forms the protective covering of the skin of the body. It contains no blood vessels but has many small nerve endings.
The epidermis contains the following layers:
Corneum - This is the outermost, roughest layer layer that consists of 20 - 30 layers of dead keratinocytes. They are dead, flat cells that are filled with a protein called keratin. They flake off the surface of the skin only to be replaced by new cells that rise up from lower layers.
Lucidum - This layer is only present in thick epidermis Lucidum is latin for clear, which makes sense as the Lucidium consists of 2 - 3 layers of clear, flat, dead keratinocytes
Granulosum - The first layer to contain living cells, this layer has a grainy appearance due to the cells being moved up as they produce keratin.
Spinosum - The cells in this layer look spiny when dried for a microscope sample because of tiny filaments that join the cells together.
Basal/e - The bottom layer, this is where mitosis and most of cell production occurs. It also connects the epidermis to the dermis.
Our epidermis holds 50%-75% moisture. This is where skin care comes into play! Our skin absorbs 60% of the skin care we put on our skin. It is very important that we understand why chemicals and harsh preservatives are found to accumulate in the body and have serious systemic effects.
Your skin is the largest organ of your body and since it is porous, it absorbs 64% of whatever you put on it, make sure its organic and all natural!
Dermis
The dermis is the underlying, or inner layer of the skin. It is a highly sensitive and vascular layer of connective tissue.
The dermis consists of two layers:
Papillary – This layer lies directly beneath the epidermis.
Reticular – Some of these papillae contain looped capillaries, others contain nerve fiber ending called tactile corpuscles, which are nerve endings for the sense of touch.
Subcutaneous Tissue
This is a fatty layer found below the dermis. This tissue is also called adipose, or subcutis tissue and varies in thickness according to the age, sex, and general health of the individual.
pH Levels in the skin
The pH level of the skin refers to how acidic or alkaline it is. ... This acid mantle is made up of sebum (free fatty acids) excreted from the skin's sebaceous glands, which mixes with lactic and amino acids from sweat to create the skin's pH, which ideally should be slightly acidic – at about 4.5-5.5
Skin that is too alkaline becomes dry and sensitive, and can even give you eczema. You will exhibit more fine lines and c/rows feet, and be more prone to sun damage and breakouts.
The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 7 considered “neutral.” The lower numbers are acidic, while the upper levels are considered alkaline, or nonacidic.
Did you know- Newborns have relatively high pH levels all over the skin. As babies get older, their pH levels rapidly decline. The average newborn has a skin pH of 7. This is compared to the average adult skin pH of 4.5- 5.5
Other factors that can affect skin pH include:
acne
air pollution
antibacterial products
change in seasons, with different humidity levels
cosmetics
detergents
antibacterial soaps and gels
sebum/skin moisture
sweat
Over use of acids on the skin
How to get your pH back to normal:
Always use a toner!!!! This helps neutralize any remaining alkalinity that’s adversely affecting your skin’s optimal pH levels.
Adjust your moisturizer for the changing season.
Exfoliating your skin as often as once a week with gentle exfoliants can be good for your general skin care routine.
Always use a daily sunscreen no matter the season.
Booking for monthly professional facial treatments.
Finding out what skin type you are will help strike the right balance of oil your skin needs to stay at its healthiest.
Use skin care based on your skin type
Maintaining a healthy well-balanced diet
Skin Conditions
A skin condition, also known as cutaneous condition, is any medical condition that affects the integumentary system—the organ system that encloses the body and includes skin, hair, nails, and related muscle and glands. The major function of this system is as a barrier against the external environment.
Our epidermis holds 50%-75% moisture. This is where skin care comes into play! Our skin absorbs 60% of the skin care we put on our skin. It is very important that we understand why chemicals and harsh preservatives are found to accumulate in the body and have serious systemic effects. The skin has an immunity responsiveness to many things that touch it of gain entry into it.
THE 12 MOST COMMON SKIN DISORDERS, DISEASES, & CONDITIONS
1. Acne
Sixty-million Americans are affected by acne annually, making it the most common skin condition in the U.S. Acne often appears on the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and upper back. Breakouts occur when pores become clogged and inflamed by oil and dead skin buildup. Acne materializes during puberty and can last well into middle age.
2. Perioral dermatitis
Is an erythematous, papulopustular facial eruption that resembles acne and/or rosacea but typically starts around the mouth. Diagnosis is by appearance. Treatment includes avoidance of causes, and topical and sometimes oral antibiotics.
One of the most common factors is prolonged use of topical steroid creams and inhaled prescription steroid sprays used in the nose and the mouth. Overuse of heavy face creams and moisturizers are another common cause.
The topical treatments most often recommended for perioral dermatitis include: Metronidazole water based organic serum – Brightening and Antoix serum
3. Cold Sores
Highly contagious herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is the most common cause of cold sores. Cold sores appear as a cluster of blisters on the lip or mouth, are not serious, and tend to clear within two weeks. HSV carriers should avoid contact with others during a cold sore breakout.
4. Hives
Hives are a result of an allergic reaction. They often appear as itchy welts on the skin and can be as small as a pen tip or as large as a dinner plate. A hive typically disappears within 48 hours though, some time longer. Antihistamines and skin creams can be used to ease any itchiness people experience.
5. Rosacea
The disease begins with a tendency to blush or flush more easily than others. Redness, skin dryness and sensitivity, and raised, red bumps can spread beyond the nose and cheek area to the forehead, chin, ears, chest, and back.
6. Eczema
Atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema, is a common disease among children. Eczema is characterized by dry, scaly patches on the skin. It appears on the scalp, forehead, face, cheeks, and hands. Eczema can be long lasting and should be treated with creams and antihistamines to relieve itchiness.
7. Psoriasis
Psoriasis causes the body to generate new skin cells within days. These cells pile on the surface of the skin and create scaly patches. Plaques most often appear on the knees, elbows, lower back, and scalp.
8. Keratosis Pilaris
Appears as tiny bumps on the skin akin to goosebumps or small pimples. The bumps are harmless plugs of dead skin cells, often on the arms and thighs. Treating dry skin helps minimize the appearance of the bumps and eases any itchiness they cause.
9. Melasma
What is melasma?
A pigmentation stain that causes brown or gray patches to appear on the skin, primarily on the face. Sometimes due to pregnancy and hormones. The most common areas for melasma to appear include bridge of the nose, upper lip and forehead. Melasma can be quite difficult to treat but there are some very effective treatments and products that can help substantially.
Melasma is its difficulty of treatment. Whereas some types of hyperpigmentation can be treated with serums, melasma is not treated so easily due to the hormones that contribute to its cause in the first place.
Look for products that include tyrosinase inhibitors such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), arbutin, bearberry, kojic acid and other lightening ingredients such as niacinamide and liquorice root.
Atlas Rose highly recommends 2 products to incorporate in your daily routine if you’re struggling with melasma:
Brightening Serum (water based, absorbs quickly)- contains arbutin, bearberry, kojic acid
Vitamin C or Radiance serum (oil based, absorbs slower)- contains 18% pure Vitamin C.
Using both products will help block the melanocytes (pigment cells) preventing more hyperpigmentation and aid in lightening the skin.
10. Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that attacks parts of the body, including the skin, kidneys, and lungs. Lupus often appears as a widespread rash on the back, thick scaly patch on the face, sore in the mouth or nose, or sunburn-like flare-up. Lupus is frequently triggered by sunlight, ultraviolet light, and stress, among other environmental factors.
11. Aging
The aging process of the skin is a subject of vital importance to everyone. Perhaps the most outstanding characteristic of the aged skin is its loss of elasticity. Skin changes that accompany aging include: Roughened or dry skin. Benign growths such as seborrheic keratoses and cherry angiomas. Loose facial skin, especially around the eyes, cheeks, and jowls (jawline).
Summer increases the rate of sweating, and this enables the skin to be kept naturally moist, however, it’s our job to protect our skin from the sun, wind, UV rays, and cold. Using an SPF +30 or +45 every day in all sessions can help slow down the aging process.
12. Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is an umbrella term used to cover any number of conditions where one patch of skin becomes noticeably darker than the surrounding skin of the same area. This term covers a number of more specific conditions such as liver spots, age spots, sunspots, freckles and melasma. Melasma and hyperpigmentation are different but similar.
Although different types of hyperpigmentation can be caused by various factors such as acne scarring, medications or inflammation from other conditions, the main cause of hyperpigmentation is sun exposure. When we leave our skin untreated, harmful UV rays from the sun cause damage.
Most hyperpigmentation’s are harmless, and many forms are readily treatable through a mixture of options such as Vitamin C, and Radiance Serum, brightening serum, and cosmetic treatments.