.Chapt. 3 _ Physiology and Histology of the Skin Flashcards
Why Learning the Physiology and Histology of the Skin Makes You a Better Esthetician
The complexity of the skin is astonishing. The layers, component and functions all work with other body systems to protect and regulate the skin and other parts of the body.
The study of skin physiology and histology includes learning about the aging process as well as interpreting the effects of ultraviolet (UV) damage, hormonal influences, and nutrition on skin health. Each of these factors affect the skin’s health and appearance.
There is much to study about the body’s largest organ and how to best maintain its optimum health and with a deeper understanding, the skin therapist can confidently treat this sophisticated system.
The Attributes of Healthy Skin
Proteins have many roles in maintaining skin health. Proteins are building blocks and basic materials for our body’s tissues.
Amino acids are building blocks of proteins. Amino a ids from peptides, and peptides from proteins.
Healthy skin is slightly moist, soft, smooth and somewhat acidic.
Six Primary Functions of the Skin.
Sensation
Protection
Heat Regulation
Excretion
Secretion
Absorption
Sensation
Nerve fibers in the skin sense when we are touched. Sensations felt on our skin cause us to feet, react, or move.
Different nerve sensors help us to detect different sensations and perceive changes in our environment, such as heat, cold, touch, pain, and pressure.
Nerve sensors send messages to the brain and motor nerves send messages back to relay to the body now to respond.
Sensory nerve fibers are most abundant in the fingertips and are designed to be one of the most sensitive parts of the body.
Protection
Sebum (oil) on the epidermis gives protection from external factors such as invasion by certain bacteria.
The acid mantle is the protective barrier made up of sebum, liquids, sweat, and water.
These components form a hydrolipidic film to protect the skin from drying out and from exposure to external factors that could damage it.
Acid mantle has an average pH of 5.5
Damage to the barrier layer is the cause of many skin problems including sensitivities, aging, and dehydration.
Heat Regulation
The body’s average internal thermostat Y set at don degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees celsius)
The body, maintains -hermoregulation through evaporation, perspiration, radiation, and insulation. Millions of sweat glands release heat from the body through perspiration to keep us from overheating.
Excretion
Sudoriferous glands (sweat glands) excrete perspiration.
The liver and kidney do the detox work. Heavy sweating can cause a loss of fluids, dehydration, and the loss of the mineral balance needed to keep the body functioning optimally.
Secretion
Sebum is an oily substance that protects thesurface of the skin and lubricates both the skin and hair.
Sebaceous glandes, also known as oil glands, are appendages attached to follicles that produce sebum.
Skin Histology & Skin Physiology
Physiology as the study of functions and activities performed by the body structures, including physical and chemical processes.
Histology known as microscopic anatomy, the study of the structure and composition of its tissue.
Estheticians who specialize in the beauty and health of skin are…..
Technicians
Skin Therapists
Specialists
Skin Facts
Scar tissue lacks hair and sweat glands
Everyone has the same number of melanocytes the cells that produce skin color. Some peoples cells produce more melanin than others.
Every minute your body sheds 30,000 dead skin cells.
Healthy Skin Attributes
The body’s largest organ is the skin.
The basic material and building blocks for the body’s tissue is proteins.
Healthy skin somewhat acidic.
A clients skin would be considered healthy fit were slightly moist, and smooth.
The human body’s tissue are built from proteins, which are built by amino acids.
