Skin MD Natural™ — Ultimate Dry Skin Care Solution
Skin MD Natural for Ageing Skin
Ageing Skin Overview
The skin is the largest organ of human body and the first to show signs of age. As a person grows older the skin goes through significant changes in its structure and appearance:
Epidermis:
Thinner skin.
Epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin, which doesn't contain any blood vessels and gets oxigen and nutrition from the underlying layers. The new cells of the skin are born in the basal layer of the epidermis and mature while rising up to the skin's surface (stratum corneum) where they die and get shed off. With ageing, the cells are dividing and replacing themselves slowlier, cell production decreases and the skin becomes thinner. Due to the slower reproduction of new cells, ability of the skin to repair itself gets weaker and it heals longer.
Age spots.
Melanin resides in the epidermis and is what gives the skin its pigmentation to protect from the sun's rays. As a person gets older, the amount of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) decrease, leaving the skin less protected from the UV radiation. The remaining melanin-producing cells tend to group, forming pigmented clusters known as age, or liver, spots. They are usually localized in areas that have been exposed to the sun most often.
Dermis:
Elasticity loss. Sagging and Wrinkling.
Dermis is the layer of the skin located right beneath epidermis, it is made up of elastin and collagen networks (fibres, which give the skin its suppleness and strength) and contains sweat and oil glands, some blood and lymph vessels, and nerves. Older skin cuts down the production of elastin and collagen, the collagen in the skin becomes more stable that makes the skin less pliable. The skin is no longer able to quickly regain its shape and get back to its initiate state after being touched. It gets highly vulnerable to the effects of gravity and may sag and droop, thinner non-resilient skin is also prone to wrinkling.
Dryness.
As the skin gets older the amount of oil and sweating glands in the skin is reduced and the skin's lubrication they can provide is not enough to prevent the skin from dryness and related conditions.
Subcutaneous fat:
Visible blood vessels. Easy bruising.
Underneath the dermis there is a layer of fatty (adipose) tissue, which contains larger blood vessels and nerves and gives the skin its even shape. Aging causes the thinning of subdermal fat layer making it no longer able to provide adequate cushioning to the outer layers of the skin. Thinning of the subcutaneous fat tissue, along with the thinning of the epidermis and reduced production of collagen (working as a scuffolding to the skin) leaves the blood vessels less protected and more likely to break.
Contributing Factors:
Photoageing:
Sunlight is a main cause of skin ageing, the exposure to the sun accelerates ageing process, as it damages the skin down to its deepest layers: UVB radiation affects the upper layer, epidermis, UVA radiation is harmful to middle of the dermis and infra-red A radiation to deeper dermis and subcutaneous tissues. Sun damage is probably responsible for 80% of skin ageing.
Smoking:
Cigarette smoke significantly increases dryness and wrinkling of the skin, as the smoke destroys Vitamin C, which is important for keeping the skin moist and plump. It is also thought that smoking may aggravate the damage caused by sun exposure. Additionally, smoking increases the likelyhood of developing wrinkles around the mouth.
Lack of exercise:
Exercise contributes to the younger appearance of the skin, as it helps keeping muscles tone and improves blood circulation.
Lack of sleep:
Sleep allows body and skin to rest and rejuvenate, to restore its defenses, rebuilt what has been lost throughout the day and to get ready for the next day. Lack of sleep causes you to look and feel tired, with dark circles around the eyes and puffiness of the face.
Extremes of temperature,
exposure to irritants:
Harsh weather, exposure to environmental irritants, constant contact with moisture-robbing materials dry out the skin, remove its protective layer and cause irritation which may then result in developing various skin disorders.
Reduce the Signs of Ageing:
The key to youthful appearance is in preventative skin care and proper regimen. In order to keep healthy and vibrant skin you should stick to a healthy diet and lifestyle, avoid stress, quit smoking and drinking alcohol.
Avoid UV radiation (say no to indoor and outdoor tanning), wear wide-brimmed hats and loose-fitting clothes made of natural materials. Wear sunscreen daily (reapply as needed).
Keep your skin hydrated from both inside (drink 8 glasses of water a day) and outside (find an appropriate skin care product to care for your skin).
Replace hot baths with lukewarm showers and harsh soaps with neutral body washes.
Avoid contacting with irritating substances and moisture-robbing materials in your environment.
As the skin gets older it becomes prone to developing skin cancers and other skin diseases, which can be properly diagnosed only by a professional dermatologist. Make sure to perform a general check regularly and consult a doctor if you have noticed any changes in the appearance or feel of the skin (any new spots, growing lumps, sores that do not heal).