Your skin is:- · The Largest Organ of the Body
· Weighs roughly 4kg
· Thinnest on the Face, Eye Lids and Lips
· Thickest on the Palms of Hands, Soles of Feet
· Has 3 main layers - the only part we see is the
the dead layer
LAYER 1:
Epidermis - made up of 5 sublayers:
(1) The Horny Layer (Stratum corneum)
This consists of dead, flattened cells in which the cytoplasm and nucleus have been replaced by the protein keratin. These cells are constantly being shed with new cells replacing them from the Basal Layer. A fatty material is contained in them which keeps the skin water-tight and helps protect the skin from invasion of Bacteria.
(2) The Transparent Layer (Stratum lucidum)
Being only a few cells thick this sublayer is thought to be a barrier zone that controls the transmission of water through the skin.
(3) Granular Layer (Stratum granulosum)
This sublayer consists of several layers of flattened spindle-shaped cells which contain a number of granules and a substance called keratohyaline. It is thought that in this sub layer the process of keratinization occurs, which is the change from living cells to dead, horny flat cells.
(4) Prickle Layer (Stratum spinosum)
This cells lie above the Basal or Germinative level. They are young and are well defined, and connected to each other by fine threads filled with tissue fluid, forming interlinked projections with a spiky appearance.
(5) Basal Layer (Stratum Germinativum)
This is the deepest sublayer of the Epidermis and it is here that the birth of new cells takes place. The new cells push the old cells towards the surface, and the nourishment needed for the constant reproduction of cells comes from the capillary blood vessels in the dermis. Skin rejuvenation takes place at this level, and many things such as age, diet, circulation, exposure to heat, cold, light, drugs, smoking, alcohol, etc will influence the rate of cell regeneration. The average life cycle of each new cell is about 6 weeks, therefore any skin treatment will need to be used for well over 1 month to see any long lasting improvement.
LAYER 2:
The Dermis:
This layer lies beneath the Epidermis, and is home to the Collagen and Elastin fibers which give the skin tensile strength and elasticity, the sweat and sebaceous glands, hair follicles, arrector pili muscles, lymphatic vessels, nerve endings, arteries, and veins. This layer contains a high water content, and dehydration at this level may cause premature aging of the skin. (Yes, drinking water is VERY IMPORTANT)
The Dermis has 2 layers:-
The Papillary Layer
This layer interfaces with the Epidermis. Many nerve endings of touch are found in this layer, as are the fine Capillaries and Veins which bring nourishment and Oxygen to the Skin, carry away waste products and provide Blood to the Epidermis.
The Reticular layer
Here you find many Sweat and Sebaceous Glands, along with the Collagen and Elastic fibres which give the skin its elasticity. Nerves concerned with the sensations of touch, deep pressure, pain, heat and cold are found in this layer, as are the Arrector pili muscles.
THE SUPERFICIAL FASCIA:
This is the bottom skin layer, which separates the dermis from the muscles, allowing the skin to move freely over the underlying structures. It is composed of Elastic Fibres, Fibrous Tissue, and Fatty Tissue. The Fat Tissue is a cushion for the Nerve Endings and Blood Vessels in the Dermis and provides protection against the loss of body heat.
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE SKIN
TEMPERATURE CONTROL:
The Circulatory System, distributes much of the body’s heat. The control of the temperatures occurs through the expansion and contraction of the superficial capillaries, plus evaporation of perspiration from the surface of the skin. Increased production of sweat reduces body temperature and decreased production increases it.
Aromatherapy note: Oils to stimulate the circulation. (Remember Contra-indications)Cinnamon (Little amounts) Marjoram, Ginger, Black Pepper, Rosemary etc.
PROTECTION:
The Skin is protected from Bacteria and water absorption by the Horny Layer. The Fat layer also protects against water and loss of body fluids. The Melanin content of the Epidermis protects the body from absorption of Ultraviolet and In-frared rays. Vitamin D is formed by exposure to sunlight, and this nourishes the Bones. Our Skin is continually being exposed to Bacteria, and if the Skin’s defenses fail, we get boils, and other skin disorders.
Aromatherapy Note: Using Essential Oils can help here due to the fact, most are Antiseptic, Bactericidal, Anti-fungal, and Anti-inflammatory.
ABSORPTION:
The Skin is designed to prevent the absorption of harmful substances into the body, therefore only certain substances can pass through it. The determining factor is Molecular size. This is the main reason why Essential Oils can penetrate the Skin is because of their small Molecular size.
EXCRETION AND SECRETION.
Excretion is the elimination of waste products through the Skin, and normally one quarter of the body’s waste products and some excess water is disposed of in this way.
If Skin excretion is inefficient then a burden is put upon other Organs of excretion, ie, Lungs, Kidneys, and Bowels. On the other hand, if the latter 3 Organs are operating in-efficiently, then the Skin has to take over, and Skin problems may erupt.
A clear skin will reflect a relatively clean body system.
Note: Any skin treatment should encompass the whole body. It works as one.
Secretion refers to the production of substances by the Cells and Glands of the Skin. An example of this is Sebum, which is produced by the Oil Glands of the Skin to keep the Skin supple.
Aromatherapy Note: Essential oils, can be used to help balance the secretion of the Glands, ie, Oily Skin produces too much Sebum, Dry Skin to little. Hormones that are out of balance, can produce Skin that is either/or.
Experience has shown that in Skin care, regular applications of Essential Oils will definitely re-balance the Skin over a period of time, so that many people have a marked change in their Skin type. Some even achieve “Normal” skin conditions, rarely found in adults.
SENSATION:
The Skin provides the Barrier between the outer and the inner. The Sensory Nerves in the Skin allow us to experience and respond to our environment. Skin is the organ of touch, which is one of the most powerful and important of our senses, Emotionally, Psychologically and Physically.
Aromatherapy Note: Our emotional state is reflected in our skin. Poor skin may not necessarily represent poor living habits, but may be telling you that your world is one of stress, anxiety, or a spiritual crises.
When blending oils for the skin, make sure that the spiritual Side is taken care of.
TERMINOLOGY:
CELL: The basic structural and functional unit of all organisms. The smallest structure capable of performing all the activities vital to life.
CYTOPLASM: A substance that is found around the Organelles and located within a cell’s plasma membrane and external to its nucleus.
NUCLEUS: A spherical or oval organelle of a cell that contains the hereditary factors of the cell, called genes.
ARRECTOR PILI MUSCLES: Smooth muscles attached to hairs; contraction pulls the hairs into a more vertical position, resulting in “Goosebumps”
SEBACEOUS GLANDS: A gland in the Dermis of the skin. Almost always associated with a hair follicle that secretes sebum (Oil).
MELANIN: A dark black, brown or yellow pigment found in some part of the body such as the skin and hair.
KERATIN: An insoluble protein found in the hair and nails and other tissues of the epidermis.
