LIFE ON THE SKIN

 

The  skin provides a  home for many different types of  bacteria and  yeasts  which  coexist happily.  They actually help the skin to stay healthy by taking up  the spaces  which might , otherwise , be taken up by more  harmful  invaders. Different  populations  thrive in different conditions. The relatively  greasy  center panel of the  face supports different communities from the  much drier skin of the  forearm.  Everyone has a unique flora of bacteria which is  distinct. Bacteria occupy  most of the skin surface. They are acquired  at birth,  multiply rapidly and  remain for life. 

It has been estimated that, within a  day of birth, bacteria in the armpit is approximately 36,000 per square inch. By day nine,  the bacteria population comes to  approximately  490,000 in the same area. 

 

 Infections  occur when the skin becomes  broken and invaded or when the  acid mantle which  coats the skin surface  breaks down. Made  up of  sebum, sweat and  keratin, this  mantle  creates a  slightly acidic coating to the skin, which supports the least harmful bacteria but keeps them fairly  inactive. 

When the skin is slightly acidic, the resident organisms  consume anything  nutritious on its surface. By removing  all traces of food,  these  large populations make it difficult for  new organisms to become established. 

 

Facial skin = 5.4-6.2;

Forehead,  Backs, Limbs. -5;

Armpits,  Groins,  Toes;- 6-7.

These values  vary according to the person’s age, sex and  state of health. 

White skins tend to be more acidic than black ones. 

Also, men have a more acidic skin surface than women.

 

A healthy skin can resist changes in its pH value. It can readily adjust or re-establish itself if in contact with acids or alkalis for a short period.  Cosmetics should be  as near  neutral as possible so ad not upset the acid balance of the skin.  It takes approximately one hour for the skin to  neutralize incorrect cosmetics, two hours for detergents.

 

 

The protein fibres in the Dermis support the skin. They keep all the  various components in place and prevent them from being damaged. They also make the skin tough and help it to change shape over underlying muscle activity. Collectively,  the fibres are  known as  CONNECTIVE TISSUE. 

 

 give the skin its  resilience,  firmness and strength.  The fibres are arranged loosely in the skin and, although not elastic themselves,  allow the skin to stretch without tearing. Healthy collagen is flexible,  mostly unlinked, and  is able to absorb water.  Collagen  builds  scar tissue to heal skin damaged by cuts and abrasions. 

 

Branch out to form a loose network throughout the  supporting connective tissue. These  fibres are  elastic: they  stretch easily and return to their former length when  tension is removed. Elastin Fibres are found everywhere ,but are most numerous on the face and scalp. 

 

run through and between the other fibres and structures in the Dermis,  helping to support them and keep them in place. 

 

The skin’s fibres are contained in a  firm jelly called the  Ground  substance which is rich in  nutrients and  contains the  Fibroblast  Cells, which  produce  Collagen and  Elastin.  Aging gradual slow down the production of new cells and the fibres become rigid and inflexible.

 

 

If the living layers of the skin are  penetrated or damaged,  Special cells in the Dermis  move into action to eliminate the  invaders and  initiate cells repairs. The mast cells release  HISTAMINE,  a signaling substance which triggers off a  ” pain ” reaction and dilates the  blood capillaries in the area. The extent of the  histamine reaction depends on the nature of the injury. 

 

=Pain, Swelling,  Inflammation,  Pimples,  Pustules,  Blisters. 

 

= Itching,  Slight  Erythema ( Redness) of the skin. 

 

 ITCHING; 

Caused by stimulation of just a few nerve endings. Itching is a symptom of many skin  disorders and is the skin’s way of drawing attention to a problem,  so that appropriate action can be taken.  Scratching  can relieve  the irritation of itching, but care should be taken to avoid breaking the skin or infection can occur. 

 

Redness of the skin caused by dilation of the blood capillaries in the Dermis layer of the skin. The rate of the blood flow is increased, which speeds up the removal of the irritant or penetrants from the area, and transport of repairing materials to clear up the damage. 

 

Caused by stimulation of a considerable nerve endings. It is a feature of many skin diseases.  A build up of fluid in the area put pressure on the nerve endings which  subsides once the infection is  cleared, or when the irritant is removed. 

 

 The stimulation of blood  to an area causes seepage of Serum from capillary walls into the tissues. Serum is the  watery  component of the blood. Localized swelling produces a bubble of the  colorless fluid beneath the skin– a blister . More widespread swelling produces a large blister  or puffiness  of the skin. 

An increase in the fluid in the area help to dilute the irritant and ” cushion ” the deeper layers of the skin from injury. 

 

The reaction of body tissues  to infections  and injury. The blood supply to the area is  increased,  bringing extra White blood cells which promote healing. The area becomes red, swollen, hot and tender. Eg  Dermatitis, Inflammation of the skin. 

 

A raised, inflamed spot on the skin which contains pus.  Pus is a yellowish fluid that forms when the body fights bacteria. It consists of white blood cells,  dead and living bacteria,  fragments of dead tissues destroyed by bacteria and serum. Pus is sometimes greenish in colour depending on the type of bacteria present.

 

 

A basic skin care  programme  should include the  regular and correct use of  EDEN CLEANSERS, EXFOLIANTS , TONING  preparations,  MOISTURIZERS,  FACE MASKS OR SCRUBS, and products for evening care.

 

edeningredients.ng,   offers  skin care ranges for every type of skin and   preparations for treating specific skin problems.

 

Skin care products and beauty treatments will not be effective if there is make-up  or other surface matters presenting a barrier. “Actives” treatments rely on the  absorption of the actives  into the  inter- cellular spaces and the tissues of the epidermis. If these channels are blocked,  there’s no way through.

 

 which accumulate  on the skin prevents efficient desquamation and block up the pores.

 

Make- up which become stale on the skin irritate its surface and  blemishes appear. Over the  course of the day,  the skin secretions attract dust, parasites and pollution from the atmosphere. These create further congestion which must be dealt with efficiently,  or the skin’s natural functions becomes, seriously challenged. 

edeningredients.ng

 

Special make-up 

removing  CLEANSERS.

( eg, EDEN MICELLAR WATER and EDEN OIL-FREE FOAMING CLEANSER ), are very useful  choices for dissolving stubborn waterproof mascara and  heavy wax- based make-up. 

edeningredients.ng