How Your Skin Works? Understanding The Science Behind This
The skin is the largest organ in the body, not to mention the most visible. This is why people spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each year to try to take care of their skin in the best way possible. In this article, we will talk about: The Science of Skincare: Understanding How Your Skin Works.
While this may be the case, many people don’t really understand the science of skincare. As a result, since they don’t have a basic knowledge of how the skin works, they pick products and treatments that don’t really meet the needs of their skin, meaning that the results they see are less than impressive.
If you know that your knowledge when it comes to the science of skincare has been lacking, then read on – Plantation Med Spa is here to explain everything that you need to know!
A Basic Introduction to Your Skin’s Layers
You look at your skin every day, but do you know what it’s actually made of?
Human skin consists of several different components, including water, lipids, proteins, and minerals. You may only see one layer of it, but your skin actually contains three different layers:
- Epidermis – This is the outermost layer of the skin. It primarily consists of dead skin cells, which form a protective barrier to prevent the deeper layers of the skin from experiencing environmental damage. This is also the layer where new skin cells are produced. They start off at the base of the epidermis and work their way to the surface.
- Dermis – This is where your blood vessels, nerves, and glands are located, including the sebaceous glands that produce sebum. This is also where your skin’s proteins can be found, including collagen and elastin.
- Hypodermis – This is the innermost layer of skin. It contains fat cells that provide insulation and cushioning.
What Does the Skin Actually Do?
So, other than providing the body with a protective covering, what else does the skin actually do?
For starters, it’s vital when it comes to preventing water loss. Every single cell in your body requires moisture in order to properly function. The barrier created by your skin helps to keep this moisture in. This is why people with dry or damaged skin are more prone to dehydration.
Not only does your skin keep moisture in, but it also keeps the bad guys out. Bacteria, micro-particles, chemicals…all of these can cause some serious damage to your health. Thankfully, the skin blocks them from entering the body.
It protects the body from UV damage too, although it also harnesses the power of sunlight to produce vitamin D. This vitamin has been proven vital when it comes to supporting the immune system, energy levels, and so much more.
When Things Start to Go Wrong…
In an ideal world, your skin cells would be constantly hydrated and free of any damage, which would give you a flawless complexion. Unfortunately, real life is very different and not many people are blessed with perfect skin, which makes understanding the science of skincare all the more important.
There are so many different factors out there that can contribute to skin damage. UV light is the main one – it’s responsible for up to 80% of the visible signs of aging on the skin. This refers to everything from wrinkles to sagging skin to dark spots.
All of the chemicals that your skin comes into contact with each day can also wreak severe damage. Whether this may be from detergents, perfumes, or air pollution, various particles can throw off your skin’s pH level. This can then lead to a number of different skin issues.
The aging process is something else that can interfere with how well your skin cells function. It’s common knowledge that the human body slows down with age, and this applies to your skin cells too. As a result, the skin isn’t able to function in the same way that it did when it was younger. Protein production slows down, leading to sagging and wrinkling. At the same time, cell renewal takes a dive, meaning that the skin tends to take on a duller appearance.
Applying the Science of Skincare to the Products and Treatments That You Buy
Wondering how to apply the science of skincare the next time you’re shopping for products and treatments?
Well, to start with, you need to first identify the specific skin issues that you’re dealing with. Acne? Dryness? Wrinkles? Hyperpigmentation? Write them down in the order in which you want to prioritize them.
Then, it’s time to do a little more reading up on the science of skincare. However, this time, we’ll be relating it to the individual skin concerns that you’re facing:
ACNE
Acne occurs when the pores and hair follicles become blocked. Blockages usually consist of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, which trigger the inflammation that leads to a breakout.
Hair follicles are found in both the epidermis and the dermis. Blockages that occur in the epidermis can often be cleared with at-home exfoliants, since these blockages will be quite near the surface of the skin. However, once they work their way into the dermis, they can be much harder to eradicate, simply because they’ll be sitting at a deeper level of the skin that most at-home products won’t be able to reach.
If you’ve been struggling to treat your acne with at-home products, it may be time to consider professional alternatives. One treatment that’s extremely successful at putting a stop to breakouts is microneedling. It helps to reduce how much sebum your skin produces. This cuts back on blockages in the pores and hair follicles, therefore preventing breakouts. Microneedling is also a popular go-to for anyone dealing with acne scars. You’ll need a few treatments in order to see a difference, but your skin will look much smoother and more even by the end of it.
Another treatment that works well for acne is extractions. It can be quite a time-consuming process if your acne is severe, but it’s a safe and effective way to physically get rid of your pimples. At Plantation Med Spa, we offer extractions in our RF Aqua Facial Lift treatment. This hydradermabrasion procedure also encompasses cleansing, exfoliation, and hydration, making it perfect for acne-prone skin.
DRYNESS AND DEHYDRATION
At the other end of the scale from acne sits dryness and dehydration. Dryness refers to skin that isn’t producing enough oil, whereas dehydration occurs when the skin loses moisture at a faster-than-normal rate. Both conditions are usually caused by a damaged epidermis.
To counter them, your focus needs to be on boosting your skin’s moisture and hydration levels. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways in which you can do this. Often, a good skincare routine is all you need to rebalance your complexion and bring it back to a healthy state.
One way to speed things up would be to treat your skin to a hydrating and restorative facial, and the Plantation Med Spa Revive for Sensitive Skin is ideal for this. Since dry and dehydrated skin is often prone to sensitivities, this facial, which only uses products that are hypoallergenic and have minimal fragrance, will keep your skin feeling calm and soothed. It makes use of a formula that’s loaded with peptides, which is exactly what your damaged epidermis needs to encourage repair. You’ll also be able to enjoy a light chemical peel, LED therapy, and either an ultrasound or a radio frequency treatment, depending on what your skin would benefit from the most.
HYPERPIGMENTATION
Hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces too much melanin, which is the pigment that gives the skin its color. The skin isn’t able to evenly distribute the excess melanin, resulting in those cells clumping up in certain areas, causing a darker appearance. This usually takes place in the epidermis, although it can happen in the dermis too.
One of the best ways to treat hyperpigmentation is with a chemical peel. This will remove the outer and discolored layer of your skin to reveal the fresh and even layer of cells beneath. In addition to helping with discoloration, a chemical peel will also smooth out the texture of your skin, making fine lines and wrinkles less visible.
Chemical peels are made from a variety of acids and are available in different strengths. One that works particularly well at fading hyperpigmentation is the Pigment Balancing Peel. Containing 40% glycolic acid, this formula will even out your complexion while boosting its radiance.
Another alternative would be the Advanced Corrective Peel, also known as the Jessner Peel. Featuring clinical-grade acids, this peel is suitable for all skin types and will give your face a much brighter finish.
WRINKLES AND OTHER VISIBLE SIGNS OF SKIN AGING
Aging affects every part of your skin. It slows down vital processes, meaning that the skin isn’t able to function as efficiently as it used to.
That said, there are certain signs of aging that are more noticeable than others, such as wrinkles and loose skin. This is due to the decline in collagen and elastin, two of your skin’s structural proteins that are produced in the dermis. Most topical products aren’t able to properly penetrate into the dermis, which is why serums and creams can take so long to produce results.
Fortunately, there are several professional treatments available that can help to restore younger-looking skin. Botox and facial fillers are ever-popular options. They smooth away expression lines and plump up the skin, leaving it looking fuller and firmer.
Another effective procedure for boosting collagen production and reducing the appearance of wrinkles is the eMatrix Sublative Rejuvenation. This FDA-approved treatment focuses on resurfacing the skin. This helps with a variety of different skin concerns, including wrinkles, sagging skin, dark spots, and dullness. You’ll start to see results just five days after your treatment, and these will continue to improve over time.
The Science of Skincare: Understanding How Your Skin Works
As you can see, understanding the science of skincare will enable you to ensure that the products and treatments you’re pampering your skin with are properly targeted to the skin concerns that you’re dealing with. Once you’re able to do this, the results that you experience from your efforts will be much more impressive, allowing you to achieve your skin goals significantly sooner!
Hopefully, we have covered the topic: The Science of Skincare: Understanding How Your Skin Works.
Book a consultion online now? Visit the Plantation Med Spa now to treat yourself to some of our many services and treatment offers! Call us at (954) 595-2607
