Skin Theory Flashcards
Skin as an organ in a constant state of regeneration and protection though what
Cell renewal
Immune responses
Biochemical reactions
Skin main use
Acts as a barrier to protect internal organs
Functions of skin (6)
Sensations
Heat regulation
Absorption
Protections (keeps external toxins + elements form penetrating)
Excretion
Secretion
Sensation description
Sense of touch controlled by a network of nerve endings and touch receptors; send signals to the nervous system and brain (somatosensory system)
4 sensation receptors
Mechanoreceptors
Thermoreceptors
Pain receptors
Proprioceptors
Mechanoreceptors - responsible for and includes:
Responsible for sensations of pressure, vibrations, movement, and texture
Includes merkel cells, meissner’s corpuscle. Ruffini’s corpuscles, and pacinian corpuscles
Thermoreceptors - responsible for and includes:
Responsible for sensing hot and cold
Includes Krause end bulbs and nerve endings
Pain receptors - responsible for and includes:
Sensing pain
Nociceptors
Proprioceptors - responsible for
Sensing different parts of the body positioned in relation to each other and the environment
Thermoregulation description
Heating and cooling w/in the body; skin helps by sweating
Vasodilation description
When the body gets warm, blood vessels dilate, or widen, to allow heat to evaporate
Vasoconstriction description
When body is cold, blood vessels constrict, or narrow, to keep the heat near essential organs
Causing vasodilation with ____ or vasoconstriction with _____ , helps reduce ______ or increase _______
Heat
Cold
Redness
Microcirculation
Thermogenesis description
Shivering; Core temp drops, body sends signals for muscles to shake to expend energy
Essential substances enter the skin to be
Used within the cells or absorbed by the body
Transdermal penetration def
Process of absorption into the skin to
Primary ways products are absorbed
Appendages
Intercellular space
Transcellular diffusion
Appendages absorption description
If molecules of products are small enough, penetration of chemicals may happen
Intercellular space absorption description
Lipid-soluble products can use between corneocytes; molecular size and delivery system is important
Transcellular diffusion absorption description
Molecules move directly though corneocytes
Factors affecting skin absorption
Condition of stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin)
Hydration level
Oiliness of skin
Size of products molecules
Temp of skin
Concentration of substance
Occlusion (blockage or closing of an opening of blood vessels)
Chemical actions
Skin barrier consists of 2 layers
Acid mantle + stratum corneum
Acid mantle description
First line of defense in skin’s barrier; essential for proper immune responses and skin strength; helps protect from UV radiation; maintains healthy microflora + provides lubrication (sebum w/ natural moisturizers)
Healthy pH range
4.5 - 5.5
Stratum corneum description
Contains squamous cells (corneocytes); Cells no longer alive; no nucleus or organelles; generates NMF (sebum w/ natural moisturizers) for pH balance in acid mantle; mediates biochemical interactions between cells
How many cell layers thick is the stratum corneum
~15-20
Cell renewal begins at which layer within the epidermis
Basal layer
Cell renewal within the basal layer in the epidermis includes
Epithelial cells
Melanocyte cells
Langerhans cells
Merkel cells
Desmosomes
Epithelial cells description
Most abundant cells; many dif functions
Melanocyte cells description
Pigmented cells; produce melanin
Langerhans cells description
Immune system cell in the skin
Merkel cells description
Cells right below epidermis; plays role in touch
Desmosomes description
maintains mechanical integrity of tissues
Keratinocyte description
Most abundant cell; keratin in skin = soft keratin; keratin in hair + nails = hard keratin;
Cells are created by ______
Mitosis (cell division)
Corneocytes def
“Dead cell”; helps the skin’s protective barrier; as corneocyte moves upward toward the stratum corneum, its held together w/ filaments (desmosomes)
Keritinization def
Chemical conversion of living cells into dead protein cells (cell renewal)
Length of keratinization process
~4-6 weeks
Factors that affect cell renewal
Age
Smoking
Sun exposure
Hygiene
Environment
Use of exfoliants
Lifestyle
Sleep
Skin conditions (including psoriasis)
Health and medications
Desquamation def
Shedding, peeling, or coming off in scales of the top layer of epidermis
Desquamation description
Natural, gentle shedding process; dead skin cell buildup leads to a dull, dry skin appearance
Exfoliation def
Removal of dead skin
Exfoliation stimulates and helps
Stimulates new cell growth by removing outer layer of epidermis cells; helps unclog pores, aids in reducing breakouts, encourages cell renewal, + promotes optimum skin fitness + health
2 types of exfoliation
Mechanical (physical) and chemical
Keloids def
Scarring
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) def
Excess production of melanin resulting in darker patches of skin color
Four phases of wound healing w/ times
Hemostasis - day 1 immediate injury
Inflammation - day 1 to hours after injury
Proliferation - day 2 to 3 weeks
Maturation (remodeling) - 3rd week to 1 year
Hemostasis description
Starts upon injury or hours after initial wound; blood clotting; superficial wounds do not have this phase
Inflammation description
Inflammation Cascade starts with an hours; edema and erythema present
Proliferation description
Starts 2 days after wound; can last up to 3 weeks
Epithelialization (cell renewal)
Collagen synthesis
Extra cellular matrix (ECM) reorganization
Maturation (remodeling) description
Weeks to months
ECM remodeling continues
Wound becomes stronger
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) may be present
Two primary cells in epidermis
Melanocytes
Langerhans cells
Melanocytes are responsible for
Color of skin, hair, and eyes
Melanosomes def
Packets of color distributed to keratinocytes
Tyrosinase def
Enzyme that triggers production of melanosomes
MSH def
Melanin stimulating hormone
Where are melanocytes located
In basal layer of epidermis
What do Langerhans cells do
Recognize “invaders”; surround and capture them; invaders are destroyed and sent to lymphatic system
Excretion function
Function = to expel waste products; help regulate temperature; detoxification
Detoxification description
Removal of impurities, toxins, pollutants, and dead skin cells; involves natural process of perspiration, metabolism, and excretion by liver
Two glands related to excretion process
Eccrine sweat gland
Apocrine sweat gland
Eccrine gland description
Major sweat gland; secretes water and salt; helps with thermoregulation; stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system
Apocrine gland description
Inactive until stimulated by hormones (puberty); responsible for odor; stimulated by adrenaline; found in genitals, underarms, breasts, and eyelids
Detoxing def
Deep cleanse of skin
Topical products do or do not pull toxins out of the skin
Do not pull toxins out
Secretion def
Substances products by the body that keeps it functioning
Sebum def
Complex mixture of fatty substances secreted by sebaceous glands
Normal skin type oil characteristics
Mild oil production throughout the face; well-hydrated and balanced
Dry skin type oil characteristics
Minimal oil production; oil on nose or chin if at all
Combination skin type oil characteristics
Oil production in center part of face
Oily skin type oil characteristics
Widespread oil production throughout the face
The body does not naturally produce which vitamin w/out sunlight exposure
The body does not naturally produce vitamin D without sunlight exposure
Vitamin D production “steps”
UVB rays hit the skin, and a fatty acid (7-DHC) converts into D3 and enters circulation system. Then the liver enzymes process D3 into calcitriol, which is circulated by the kidneys
Primary role of vitamin D
Control levels of calcium and phosphate
Where is most 7-DHC located
Basal and spinosum layers of epidermis
Over-the-counter meds like aspirin can contribute to what
Surface bruising if taken over a period
Antidepressants (serotonin reuptake inhibitors - SSRIs) skin effects
Hives
Rashes
Itching
Bruising
Photosensitivity
Thyroid medication skin effects
Improves thyroid symptoms: dry skin, sensitivity, + hair loss
Hormone replacement therapy skin effects
Improves menopause: dry skin, improved discoloration, increased signs of aging
Antibiotics skin effects
Photosensitivity
Diabetes medication skin effects
Some types of skin itchiness + sensitivity
High blood pressure medication skin effects
Rashes
Itchiness
Sensitivity
Chemotherapy/radiation skin effects
Rashes
Itching
Bruising
Photosensitivity
Skin disorders
Decongestants/ allergy medication skin effects
Dehydration
Increase TEWL
NSAIDs/anti-inflammatory medication skin effects
Photosensitivity
Dehydration
Narcotics/ pain medication skin effects
Dehydration
Sensitivity
