If you want to slow or even reverse the aging process, you must first understand your skin.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it we generally take it for granted. How our skin looks is reflected by how we treat it.
Did you know that your skin works really hard for you? Some of the jobs it does are:
- protects you from the environment
- acts as a sheild against bacteria and viruses
- regulates body temperature
- is the body's sensor for pain and pressure
- is the body's mirror of our inner health and emotions
Before I get into the actual aging process, let me first explain about each skin layer. Our skin is made up of 3 layers and each has an important function.
The Epidermis is the top layer of our skin. It is thinner than a sheet of tissue paper and is made of dead skin cells. As new cells are continually being created, the old ones rise to the surface and slough it. But although the top cells are technically 'dead', they serve the very important role of helping our skin hold in moisture and oil.
Have you ever wondered why babies have such perfect skin? It's because their cell turnover happens about every 15 days. So they have a fresh complexion that repairs and replenished itself quickly. As we age, cell turnover slows down. Once we are in our 60's our cells turn over about every 45 days, which is why our skin loses that youthful glow.
The Dermis is the middle layer and makes up about 90% of our skin. Sebaceous glands which produce oil, sweat glands, hair follicles and blood vessels are in the dermis. The sweat and sebaceous glands produce your skins acid mantel, which is a protective layer that shields us from the environment, bacteria and viruses.
Sometimes, in an effort to improve our skin, we use harsh soaps and skin care products. That scrubbing removes the acid mantle leaving our face exposed and disrupts the ph balance of our skin, leaving us more susceptible to the aging process.
You know that squeaky clean feeling you get when you wash your face with soap? That means you have washed away the acid mantle and it takes a few hours for it to replenish itself. So when you wash your face, be sure to use gentle products that will not damage the top skin layer, and always use a good toner to replenish the acid mantle.
The Dermis is also the skin layer that contains elastin and collagen, two proteins that give our skin elasticity and suppleness.
The Hypodermis is the fat layer at bottom. It gives our skin that plump, smooth look of youth as well as protects our inner organs.
Now that you understand the skin, it's time to get into the aging process…
There are two types of aging: Intrinsic and Extrinsic.
Intrinsic aging is caused by internal factors like genetics and things that are generally out of our control. The signs of intrinsic age show our true chronological age.
Extrinsic aging on the other hand, is caused by external factors like exposure to sun, smoking, lifestyle and the products we put on our skin. The good news is that extrinsic factors are within our control.
The biggest cause of aging by far is sun damage. Sunlight causes changes in skin pigmentaion, dehydration, and free radical damage at the cellular level. You can see the direct result of sun damage by comparing the skin on your face to the skin on your butt. By simply using a good sunscreen or even better, avoiding direct sunlight altogether, you can slow the aging process and preserve your youthful glow.
According to Dr. Perricone, who is the assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University and one of the most recognized skin care experts, the most widely accepted theory of aging is called The Free Radical Theory.
The aging process starts at the cellular level and can be controlled to a certain extent. In order to slow the signs of both intrinsic and extrinsic aging, it is important to understand the free radical theory, which is all about reducing exposure to free radicals and ultimately healing your cells.
