Skin Care

It's the largest organ of our bodies. It weighs about six pounds and holds us together. It's our skin.

Skin provides the outer covering for our bodies and protects us from heat, light, injury and infection. (Read about "Microorganisms") The skin regulates our body temperature by releasing fluids to cool us - in other words, sweat - and keeping heat in when it's cold. The skin also stores water and fat and produces vitamin D (Read about "Vitamins & Minerals"), all things we need to survive and live.

What is the skin

The skin is made up of two main layers, and an underlying layer:

• Epidermis - This is the main outer layer. The epidermis is mostly made up of flat scale-like cells called squamous cells. Under that are some round cells called basal cells. The deepest part of the epidermis also has what are called melanocytes. They produce melanin, which is what gives our skin its color.
• Dermis - Under the epidermis is the dermis, which contains the vessels for the blood and the lymph. It's also where the hair follicles and the glands are. Those glands are what produce sweat (to help cool us) and sebum, which is an oil that keeps the skin from drying out. Both oil and sweat get to the surface via the pores. The dermis also contains a binding protein called collagen.
• Subcutaneous tissue - Under the dermis is the subcutaneous tissue, which contains fat. This helps to keep us warm and provide cushioning.

Moisturize and hydrate

Skin tends to get drier as we get older. (Read about "Age and Skin") At any age, though, oral hydration is important, so drinking enough water can help to keep skin moist and healthy, and to avoid dehydration. (Read about "Dehydration")

Taking too many hot baths and/or using strong soaps can dry skin out as well. Taking shorter baths and applying moisturizer right after a bath or shower can help.

The National Institutes of Health say all moisturizers - regardless of price - work on the same basic principle, that is, they don't add moisture, they seal it in. So moisturizers, applied while skin is still slightly damp, can be most effective. Certain types of moisturizers containing alpha hydroxy acids have become increasingly popular. Alpha hydroxy acids or AHA's are derived from fruit and milk sugars and include lactic acid and glycolic acid among others. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says AHA's affect the skin in a manner similar to that of chemical peels - that is, increasing cell turnover rate and potentially improving appearance. But FDA says AHA's can also lead to severe redness, swelling (especially in the area of the eyes), burning, blistering, bleeding, rash (Read about "Skin Rash"), itching and skin discoloration in sensitive people. AHA's can also cause increased sensitivity to the sun. In addition, long-term use of AHA's has not been established according to FDA.

Regular check-ups

One thing many experts do agree on is that we shouldn't take our skin for granted. Examine your own skin regularly, looking for suspicious changes such as growths or color changes. (Read about "Skin Cancer" "Moles" "Noncancerous Skin Growths") Use a mirror to see hard-to-reach places. Check everywhere, including your scalp. Become familiar with how your skin looks, so you're more likely to notice changes.

In addition, a yearly check-up by your doctor can also help to spot any serious skin problems while they're still in their beginning stages. Diseases of the skin are treated by dermatologists. A dermatologist can use a special handheld device called a dermoscope to evaluate areas of concern. He or she can also remove any suspicious growths so they can be biopsied. (Read about "Biopsy")

Related Information:

    Age and Skin

    Children and Sun

    Sunscreen

    Wound Care

For a list of diseases and conditions that can affect the skin, see Skin