We have all heard and seen the terms Epidermis, Melanin and Collagen before, whether from your skin care professional or via social/print media, but do we really know what it all means?
Taking care of our skin should be second nature to us, however, with the ever expanding industry there are so many options available and sometimes it becomes a quite confusing, especially when you don’t know what to focus on or which area you should be taking care of.
The skin, being the largest organ in the body, plays a vital role in acting as our first line of defence when it comes to protecting ourselves from environmental factors. The skin is made up of three main layers: Epidermis, Dermis and the Subcutaneous Fatty layer.
When we look at cosmeceutical skincare we focus mainly on Dermal and Epidermal layers of the skin in this Skin 101 article.
The Epidermis refers to the outer protective layer of the skin, made up of Keratinocytes or skin cells. Millions of dead skin cells are sloughed off on a daily basis, leaving us with a completely new outer layer every 28-35 days, through a process known as cellular turnover. The Epidermis is further broken down into 5 layers, each serving a specific purpose but as a whole its primary function is to act as a barrier, preventing dehydration.
Whilst cellular turnover is a natural process, we still need to do as much as we can to increase the renewal of our skin cells this process of renewal can be accelerated by exfoliating regularly, ensuring that we don’t end up with excessive dead skin cell build up. The DermaFix DermaPolish enzymatic exfoliator can be used on a daily basis or as needed to gently cleanse and micro-exfoliate the skin.
The Melanocytes, situated in the Basal layer of the Epidermis, are responsible for the formation of skin pigment called melanin. For most of us familiar with the term Melanin, we tend to not favour the word as it is usually associated with the common skin concern known as Hyperpigmentation.
Not only does Melanin show as pigmentation but it further has a very important function in protecting our skin. When exposed to UV radiation a process called Melanogenesis takes place causing the skin to tan. This serves to provide essential protection against UV radiation damage, minimising the risk of cancer and Malignant Melanomas.
Over stimulation of the melanocyte may be caused by various factors such as injury to the skin, friction caused by excessive rubbing, the use of harsh exfoliators and over-exposure to UV radiation. The skin becomes visibly darker portraying as a concern known as Hyperpigmentation. DermaFix MelanoDerm is a unique skin lightening complex that can be used to inhibit the enzyme responsible for skin darkening thereby hampering the Melanogenesis process. It is important to protect your skin from UV radiation by using a sunscreen on a daily basis. DermaFix DermaShield SPF50, high protection sunscreen is suitable for all skin types and has water resistant properties for up to 40 minutes in water.
Another term we hear of is collagen. You might have seen it in the vitamin aisle as a supplement or even listed in one of your body lotions but what exactly is it and how does it benefit you?
The dermal layer comprises of many structures including the fibroblast cell, responsible for collagen and elastin production. Collagen is the most opulent form of protein in your body, providing the supportive structure for various tissues such as bone, muscles and ligaments. Collagen production tends to slow down as we age due to external and internal factors, causing the dreaded results of wrinkles, sagging skin, thinning hair and brittle nails.
The bad news is that collagen cannot be put back into the skin by the use of product application because of its large molecular structure. The good news – We can slow down the ageing process by following a healthy lifestyle and using the correct skin care products to stimulate the natural production of collagen. DermaFix Ceramide Complex with DMAE Liposomes, Hyaluronic and Apple Stem Cells – DermaFix PowerDerm and DermaFix Corrective Eye Complex, has an immediate and long-term skin firming result through the stimulation of collagen biosynthesis.
Regardless of what your skin care requirements are, DermaFix Cosmeceutical Skin Care has a solution that will work for you. For more information on the DermaFix
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