Skin Health Flashcards
What factors influence skin health and aging?
Heredity, sun exposure, the environment, health habits, and general lifestyles.
Explain the immune system and skin
Our immune system is a complex defence mechanism that protects the body from foreign substances.
The immune system is activated when antigens (foreign invaders) are identified.
Antibodies are molecules formed to fight and neutralize bacteria.
Langerhans cells, leukocytes, and T cells are all part of the immune system
Which cells are part of the immune system?
Langerhans cells and leukocyte cells & T cells
What are t-cells responsible for?
T-cells identify molecules that have foreign peptides and also help regulate immune response.
Think of how drinking tea can help regulate your immune response.
What are leukocytes & what are they responsible for?
Leukocytes are white blood cells that have enzymes that digest and kill bacteria and parasites. They also respond to allergies.
Which fluids nourish the skin?
Blood and lymph
What do arteries and lymphatic do?
They send essential materials for growth and repair throughout the body.
Networks of arteries and lymph vessels in the subcutaneous tissue send their smaller branches up to dermal papillae, follicles, and skin glands.
What does the health of the skin depend on?
The cellular membrane and the water holding capacity of the stratum corneum.
Give examples of lipids found in the stratum corneum and cell membranes.
Phospholipids Glycolipids Cholesterol Triglycerides Waxes
What are ceramides?
Ceramides are a group of waxy lipid molecules important to barrier functioning and water-holding capacity such as glycolipids.
Topical products containing ceramides and other lipids benefit wrinkled skin and expedite healing.
Cell recovery depends on:
Water
Cell replacement:
Regular cell turnover is necessary to keep the skin healthy.
Organs such as the skin, heart, liver, and kidney have their cells replaced every 6 to 9 months.
Cells of the bones are replaced every 7 years.
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.
Vitamin A and alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA’s) stimulate cell turnover and reduce visible signs of aging.
Damaged tissues can be repairs in two ways:
- Regeneration
2. Fibrosis
Regeneration:
The replacement of dead or damaged cells by the same type of cells as before.
Most skin injuries such as cuts or burns heal by regeneration
Fibrosis:
The replacement of damaged tissue with scar tissue.
Scar tissue is composed of collagen produced by fibroblasts.
Scar tissues hold an organ together but do not restore normal function.
(E.x healing of a sever cut)
Sun damage:
The sun and UV have the greatest impact on how the skin ages.
80-85% of aging is caused by sun exposure.
As we age, collagen and elastin weakens but it happens at a faster rate when the skin is exposed to UV.
UV reaches the skin in two different forms:
UVA and UVB radiation
What may be the results from exposure to UV?
Pigment dysfunction, wrinkles, sagging, breakdown of collagen and elastin, and skin cancer.
UVA Radiation
Known as aging rays
The longer wavelengths of UVA (320-400 nanometers) penetrate deep in the skin and cause genetic damage and cell death.
UVA Weakens the skins collagen and elastin fibres causing wrinkles and sagging in the tissues.
UVA is present all year and more prevalent than UVB
UVA can pass through glass windows or car windshields
UVB Radiation
Known as burning rays
Cause burning of the skin, tanning, aging, and cancer.
Stronger and more damaging to the skin and eyes compared to UVA
Contributes to the body’s synthesis of vitamin D
Melanin is designed to help protect the skin from the suns UV radiation, but melanin can be altered or destroyed when UV penetrates the skin
What is free radical damage
Free radicals are chemically active atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons
(They have an uneven number of electrons and unbalanced electrical charge)
They steal electrons from other molecules which leaves them damaged.
When these molecules take electrons from compounds from the body such as proteins, lipids or DNA, this destabilizes and oxidizes the once healthy molecules and creates more free radicals.
It’s a chain reaction of cellular destruction
Free radicals are generated by many factors such as exposure to UV, unhealthy foods, chemicals, smoke and trauma from medical treatments
Red and inflamed skin is a sign of free radical damage
What does the melanin pigment do?
Absorbs UV to help keep cells from being damaged
Antioxidants
Vital to neutralize the chain reaction by donating their electrons to stabilize the free radical electrons.
Protein, enzymes and vitamins are all antioxidants.
What does nicotine in tobacco cause?
Weakening of the blood vessels and small capillaries that supply blood to the tissues, causing decreased circulation.
The tissues are deprived of essential oxygen and the skin may appear yellow, grey, or dull.
Lack of oxygen and nutrients accelerates aging
How does prescription or illegal drugs affect the skin?
Oxygen deprivation, dryness, allergic reaction
Some drugs can aggravate acne
How does alcohol effect the skin?
Alcohol dilates blood vessels and capillaries. This may cause the capillary wall to expand and burst.
This causes a constant flush appearance.
- dries out the skin by drawing essential water out of the tissue
- skin may appear dull and dry
- excess alcohol results in increased blood sugar and glycation reaction
- alcohol is metabolized by the liver into chemicals which are toxic to cells
Glycation
A destructive process caused by elevation in blood sugar
Glycation is the binding of a protein molecule to a glucose molecule resulting in the formation of damaged, non-functioning structures and decrease biological activity.
This results in damaged, non-functioning structures called Advanced Glycation End (AGE’s)
Glycation contributes to aging of the skin, wrinkles, and age spots
Many age related diseases are due to glycation
Anything that causes a rise in blood sugar results in inflammation
The sugar attaches to collagen making skin inflexible and saggy
What are the negative side effects of the hormone cortisol
Breaks down muscle tissue, thin skin, decalcify bones, elevate blood sugar
What are hormones
Internal messengers for most of the body’s systems and are significant internal factors in the skins appearance, strength and health.
Estrogen
A hormone crucial for good health and appearance of the skin.
It is a anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and a key factor in tissue repair.
Maintains coordination, balance, skin moisture, vision, bones, and nervous system.
Which hormone effects the skin most during puberty?
Androgen
Androgen stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce sebum which causes follicles to dilate and the scalp to become oilier.
This is when pores become more visible
Keratosis Pilaris
Another problem associated with puberty
Appears as small pinpoint bumps (usually found on cheeks and the upper arms) accompanied by redness
In this condition, the androgens have affected the growth of terminal/ lanugo hairs which have started growing but aren’t strong enough to push though the follicle opening.
The hair remains trapped inside and irritate the follicle and skin.
Remedies: lotions containing AHA’s such as glycolic and lactic acid may help clear the bumpy appearance.
Pregnancy and hormones
An increase in blood flow and blood pressure during pregnancy may lead to the development of telangiectasia or small red enlarged capillaries on the face and body.
Pregnant women may also experience increased oiliness.
Other causes of telangiectasia on the skin are hereditary, alimentary (digestive), alcohol, smoking, sun damage, harsh cosmetics, trauma, excess localized heat, topical corticosteroids, inflammation, and heat/ cold fluctuations. These all lead to permanent dilation of capillaries.
Menopause
During menopause the skin thins and changes which affects the skins protective barrier, epidermis and dermis.
As skin ages, vascular and capillary walls begin to weaken, lipids are reduced, lymphatic system is less efficient, glands slow down, and there are fewer fibroblasts, this affecting cells, collagen, and elastin. 
As estrogen is depleted, skin begins to lose its tone = less moisture less melanocytes activity and cellular exchange is reduced.
Testosterone level increases as estrogen decreases which causes more oil and hair growth on the face.
Rashes and lesions
- may range in size from a fraction of a millimetre to many centimetres
- may be blanches (white), erythematous (reddened), purpuric (containing blood) or pigmented
What is Pruritus?
The sensation of itching which is a symptom to many skin disorders
Rashes
Rashes are temporary eruptions of the skin
Disorders that produce rashes: measles, heat, diaper rash, allergic reactions, etc
Lesions
Are structural changes in the tissues caused by damage or injury like an abrasion.
There are three types of lesions
Primary, secondary and tertiary (or vascular)
What are primary lesions
primary Lesions
- in the early stages of development
- change in colour or texture either present at birth or acquired over time such as birth mark or age spot
Examples:
Bulla, cyst, macular, nodule, papule, pustule, tubercle, tumor, vesicle, wheal
Bill can’t make noodles but, Peter Pan throws tomatoes well
What is a bulla
A large blister containing watery fluid
What is a cyst
A closed abnormally developed sac containing fluid, infection, or other matter above or below the skin.
An acne cyst is one type of cyst.
Macule
A flat spot or discolouration on the skin
Ex. Freckle, or red spot left after a pimple has healed
Nodule
Often referred to as a tumour
Smaller bumps caused by scar tissue, fatty deposits or infection
Papule
A small elevation on the skin that contains no fluid, but may develop into a pustule.
Less than 1/2 an inch in diameter and may vary in colour and is either rounds, smooth or rough.
Pustule
An inflamed papule with a white or yellow centre containing pus
Pus( white blood cells, bacteria and debris)
Tubercle
Larger than a Papule
An abnormal rounded solid lump
Tumour
A large nodule
Abnormal cell mass resulting from excessive cell manipulation
Vesicle
A small blister or sac containing clear fluid
Poison ivy and poison oak produce vesicle
Wheal
An itchy, swollen lesion caused by an insect bite, skin allergy reaction or sting.
(Hives and mosquito bites are wheals)
What is another term for hives?
Urticaria
Which can also be caused by exposure to allergens in products
Secondary lesions
Develop in later stages of disease and change the structure of tissue and organs
Examples:
Crust, Excoriation, fissures, keloids, scales, scar, ulcers
Crust: Dead cells formed over a wound while it is healing resulting in an accumulation of pus and sebum
Excoriation: A skin sore or abrasion produced by scratching or scraping
Fissure: A crack in the skin that penetrates the dermis example chapped lips
Keloids: abnormal formation of scar tissue resulting from excessive growth of fibrous tissues and collagen
Scales: flaky skin cells for example excessive dandruff
Scars: light coloured slightly raised marks on the skin formed after injury of the skin
Ulcers: an open lesion on the skin or mucous membrane of the body filled with pus

Abnormal pigmentation is called
And what causes it?
Dyschromia
This is caused by many internal and external factors, sun exposure being the biggest external cause
Drugs may be another cause
What is Hypopigmentation?
A lack of pigment
Vitiligo
- white patches on the skin which vary in size
- vitiligo is an acquired condition
- the spots are caused from a lack of pigment cells
- common on the face, axillae, neck, hands and feet
- these areas burn easily and enlarge over time
- an autoimmune disorder causing an absence of melanocytes
- no pain or other symptoms
- appears at any age but commonly in 20’s or 30’s
Albinism
- lack of pigmentation in the skin, hair, and iris of the eye
- a congenital disorder in which there a normal number of melanocytes but they lack the enzyme tyrosinase needed to produce melanin
- the individual may have pale or pink skin, white or yellow hair, and light coloured or pink eyes
- ocular problems such as sensitivity to light and other vision problems are common
- treatments are aimed to reduce risk of cancer through protection from the sun
Hyperpigmentation
An overproduction of pigment
Increased melanin causes excess pigment
Sun exposure, acne, medications, and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation from skin damage can cause darkened pigmentation
Melasma(chloasma)
- darkened macules on the face
- triggered by hormonal changes
- most prominent in darker skins
- more common in women, especially during pregnancy, while using oral contraceptives or menopause
- may or may not resolve after giving birth or discontinuing birth control
- worsened by sun exposure
- treatment involves sun protection and bleaching agents
What is a tan or sunburn and what are the symptoms?
A change in pigmentation due to melanin production as a defence against UV rays
Mild = redness Severe = vesicle eruption, weakness, chills, fever, fatigue and pain
Black skin may also burn and may appear more greyish
Essentially a tan is visible skin and cell damage
Lentigines (lentigo)
Brown or black spots that are flat and found in sun-exposed areas
A cosmetic concern only
If they change, grow or develop a darker centre, it may become malignant
Lentigines that result from sunlight exposure are also called actinic or solar Lentigines.
Also referred to as age spots or liver spots
Stain
Brown or wine coloured skin discolouration with a circular or irregular shape.
Usually round or oval, tan, brown or black
Often develops on sun exposed areas
What are Birthmarks
Congenital pigmented blemish or spot on the skin
Visible at birth or shortly after
Usually benign but may become cancerous
What are the different types of birthmarks
NCPHF
Nevi (Nevus) - abnormal pigmentation or dilated capillaries
Cafe au lait - flat, light brown
Port wine spots - flat, pink, red or purply/ red. They are formed by a collection of superficial capillaries
Haemangioma - raised, small and bright red. They are a group of superficial blood vessels with three stages
1. Proliferation 2. Rest 3. Involution (diminishes)
50% diminish by age 5, 90% diminish by age 10
Freckles - benign, small tan to brown spots occurring on sun exposed skin
- tend to fade in adult life
- The tendency to develop freckles is inherited & seen more in red haired people
Moles or nevi
Common congenital or acquired tumours of the skin that are benign almost all adults have moles.
Mole is a pigmented nevus; A brownish spot ranging in colour from tan to blueish black. Some are flat, others raised and darker.
Most are benign but changes in colour or shape should be checked by physicians. 
moles are common and should not be removed unless by physicians because it may irritate or cause structural changes to the mole 
Nevocellur nevi (mole)
Most moles are tan to deep brown, uniformly pigmented, small papules with well defined and rounded borders
These are not usually removed except for cosmetic reasons or if they are in an area which they become irritated
Dysplatic nevi (mole)
Larger than common moles with flat slightly raised Pebbly surface
Darker in the centre and an irregular border
Have the capacity to transform to malignant melanomas and tend to appear in families who are prone to them
These occur in sun exposed and covered areas of the body

What are hypertrophies of the skin
Abnormal growths Example: Skin tags Keratosis keratosis pilaris Actinic keratosis Verruca Hyper keratosis