Skin Health Flashcards
Skin health and skin aging are both influenced by what general factors?
- heredity
- sun exposure
- environment
- health habits
- general lifestyle
Describe the immune system and the skin relation.
How are immune system is a complex defence mechanism that protects the body from the foreign substances. The immune system is activated when antigens/foreign invaders are identified. Antibodies are molecules formed to fight and neutralize bacteria, viruses and antigens.
Which type of cells are a part of the immune system?
Langerhans cells and leucocyte cells are part of the immune system. There are also T cells.
What are T cells?
Immune system produces T cells which identify molecules that have foreign peptides and also help regulate the immune system. They identify antigens and release antibodies.
What are leucocyte cells?
These are white blood cells that have enzymes that digest and kill bacteria and parasites. They also respond to allergies. The skin capacity to heal, fight infection, and protect itself is truly extraordinary.
What are langerhans cells?
Are cells which protect the body from infections by identifying foreign invaders. They send messages to the immune system. The identify the proper immune response.
Describe skin nourishment form within the body and its importance to skin health.
Blood and lymph are the fluid that nourishes the skin. Networks of arteries and lymphatic send essential materials for growth and repair throughout the body. Water, vitamins and nutrients are all important to the skin. Nutrients are molecules from food such as proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Topical products also nourish the epidermidis. Networks of arteries and lymph vessels in the subcutaneous (Hypodermis) tissue send their smaller branches up to dermal papillae, follicles, and skin glands.
Describe cell protection as a part of skin health.
The health of the skin depends on the cellular membrane and the water holding capacity of the stratum corneum. Phospholipids, glycolipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, and waxes are all different types of lipids found in the stratum corneum and cell membranes. Ceramides are a group of waxy lipid molecules important barrier function and water holding capacity such as glycolipids. Lipids are reduced if the skin is dry, damaged or mature. Topical products containing ceramides and other lipids benefit wrinkled skin and expedite healing. Cell recovery depends on water to function properly, so drinking water and keeping skin hydrated is essential to keep skin healthy.
Describe cell replacement in the body and the skin.
The body replaces billions of cells daily. Organs such as the skin, heart, liver and kidneys have their cells replaced every 6 to 9 months. Cells of the bones are replaced every seven years, unfortunately, elastin and collagen are not easily replaced by the body and the skin does not regain its once pliable shape after being stretched or damaged by UV radiation; however research shows that certain procedures and ingredients, such as vitamin a and AHA’s, stimulate skin cell turnover and reduce visible signs of aging. Regular cell turnover is necessary to keep skin healthy.
How many ways can damage tissues be repaired? List them.
Two – regeneration and fibrosis.
Describe regeneration
Regeneration is the replacement of dead or damaged cells by the same type of cells as before. Most skin injuries such as cuts, scrapes and minor burns heal by regeneration.
Describe fibrosis.
Fibrosis is the replacement of damaged tissue with scar tissue, composed mainly of collagen produced by fibroblasts. Scar tissues hold an organ together but do not restore normal function [example: healing of severe cuts and burns healing of muscle injuries]
What is sun damage and its impact on the skin?
The sun and ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation have the greatest impact on how our skin ages. Approximately 80 to 85% of our ageing is caused by sun exposure. As we age our collagen and elastin in our skin weekens. This weakening happens in a much faster rate when the skin is frequently exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
Understanding the UV rays: UV reaches the skin in two different forms… List them
UVA and UVB radiation.
Briefly describe the effect of UV radiation in general
Cell damage is a cumulative in photo damage from the sun causes photo aging. Pigment dysfunction, wrinkles, sagging, collagen and elastin breakdown, and skin cancer are all the result of exposure to UV radiation.
Describe UVA radiation
- Also known as ageing rays, contributes up to 95% of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth surface.
- The longer wavelengths of UVA (320 to 400 nm) penetrate deeper into the skin and cause genetic damage and cell death.
- UVA weekends the skins collagen and elastin fibres causing wrinkling and sagging in the tissues
- UVA is present all year and more prevalent than UVB. UVA can pass through glass windows and in homes, offices or car windshields.
Describe UVB radiation
- Also known as burning rays, causes burning of the skin, tanning, ageing and cancer.
- Although UVB penetration is shorter and not as deep as UVA, these wave links are stronger and more damaging to the skin and can damage the eyes as well.
- On a positive note, UVB radiation contributes to the bodies synthesis of vitamin D and other important minerals
- Melanin is designed to help protect the skin from the suns UV radiation, but melanin can be altered or destroyed when large and frequent doses of UV are allowed to penetrate the skin.
What are free radicals and what is free radical damage?
- Free radicals: are chemically active atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons. They have an uneven number of electron and unbalanced electrical charge. Consequently, these are unstable and steel electrons from other molecules, which then damage the other molecules.
- When these molecules take electrons from compounds from the body such as proteins, lipids or DNA; this process destabilizes and oxidizes the once healthy molecules and create more free radicals, starting a chain reaction of cellular disruption.
- The prevention of free radicals formation is a critical process and complex task that is necessary for cells to survive
- Free radicals are generated by many factors including exposure to UV raise, unhealthy foods, chemicals, smoke and trauma from medical treatments.
Briefly describe how melanin protects the skin cells from UV radiation and any other defence mechanism by the skin against sun damage and free radicals.
The melanin pigment produced by tanning darkens the skin and absorbs UV radiation to help keep cells from being damaged. Skin cells have built-in antioxidants to protect against son damage but their ability to protect cells deteriorates with son exposure. Red and inflamed skin is another indication of free radical damage.
What is an indication of free radical damage within the skin?
Red and inflamed skin.
What are antioxidants and what role do they play towards skin health?
- are vital to neutralize this chain reaction by donating their electrons to stabilize the free radicals electrons. Proteins, enzymes and vitamins are all antioxidant.
While sun damage may play a predominant roll in skin damage and the way the skin ages, other changes in our environment also greatly influence skin ageing. list and describe them.
- Air pollution from factories, automobile exhaust, and even secondhand smoke can all influence the appearance of overall health of our skin.
- While these pollutants affect the surface appearance of the skin, they can also change the health of the underlying cells and tissues, here by speeding up the ageing process
- Climate, humidity levels, and other factors also affect the skin.
How can you protect against environmental damage to the skin?
- Routine cleansing at night helps to remove the buildup of pollutants that have settled on the skin surface throughout the day
- applying daily moisturizers, protective lotions, sunscreens and even foundation products all help to protect the skin from airborne pollutants and the environment
Describe how nicotine in tobacco damages the skin
- Nicotine in tobacco causes contraction and weakening of the blood vessels and small Capillery that supply blood to the tissues, causing decreased circulation
- Eventually, the tissues are deprived of essential oxygen and the skin surface may appear yellowish or gray in colour and can look dull
- Lack of oxygen and nutrients accelerates skin ageing
- Smoking and tobacco use may not always cause cancer but are always linked to premature ageing and wrinkling of the skin
