STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE SKIN
With the holidays in full swing, it is easy to get caught up in eating the wrong foods, drinking too much alcoholic beverages which can ultimately result in toxic overload. However, all is not lost. There are ways to assist your body to continue the natural detox process. First, you must have an understanding of how the skin, the body’s largest organ, is structured and its function as related to overall body health.
According to Beauty Cosmetic Guide:
The skin often mirrors the health of the whole body. The skin is the largest organ of the body and is as indispensable as the body's other major organs. A radiant clear complexion begins with proper nutrition, efficient digestion and assimilation of nutrients by the body and regular elimination.
The skin consists of four distinct layers: the epidermis, the basement membrane zone, the dermis and the subcutaneous layer. The skin is an ever-changing organ that contains many specialized cells and structures. The skin functions as a protective barrier that interfaces with a sometimes-hostile environment. The skin is the ultimate vessel for the human body; it receives and transports, accepts and expels according to the body's needs. It is container, defender, regulator, breather, feeler, and adaptor. But success in these roles is not accomplished automatically. As sturdy as it is, the skin requires attention and maintenance to function properly. Without such care, the complex organization of the skin breaks down, making it and the body it protects susceptible to injury and disease.
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Epidermis
The epidermis is the outermost layer and is a microscopic 0.2 mm (8/1000 inch) thick on the face. The surface consists of dead cells which are in the process of flaking away and new ones which are growing to take their place. Between the epidermis and dermis lies the basal layer, where new epidermal cells are formed and progress to the surface. It takes approximately twenty-eight days for a new cell to reach the top.
Dermis
The dermis is usually 1.8 mm (7/1000) thick. It is composed of a fibrous protein called collagen, elastin, which makes the skin supple, and a network of blood vessels, nerves, oil and sweat glands, pores and hair follicles.
Hypodermis
The hypodermis is the tissue beneath both epidermis and this dermis. It contains muscles, veins and fat -cells and its thickness varies according to the location on the body. The sebum and sweat produced by the oil and sweat glands in the dermis form a hydrolipidic film on the skin. This film, known as the 'acid mantle' lubricates the skin's surface, helps to repel bacteria and protects against irritation. The acid mantle maintains the skin's slightly acid (pH) level. It takes one to two hours for the skin to return to its normal pH level after washing. Harsh cleansers, such as soaps, reduce the removal process. It is the activity of the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands that determine your skin type. Activity in the T-Zone may be greater than elsewhere.
One of the greatest treasures that a woman or a man can have is healthy, radiant skin. A beautiful complexion and glorious body skin are a reflection of our personal life-style practices. If the balance of the skin becomes disturbed especially through poor nutrition, the functions associated with the skin cells cannot act in a balanced manner and can result in dryness, excessive oiliness, and inability to protect against infectious organism. The most rigorously followed healthful living plan necessarily includes a nutritious diet, pure water, regular exercise in the fresh air, adequate rest and sleep, sensible stress management.
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The function of the skin are as follows: |
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Physical barrier against friction and shearing forces |
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Protection against infection, chemicals, ultraviolet irradiation, particles |
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Prevention of excessive water loss or absorption |
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Ultraviolet-induced synthesis of vitamin D - Sensible exposure to sunlight synthesizes the production of vitamin D through interaction with ergosterol, a naturally occurring fat found in the skin. Vitamin D absorption helps metabolize calcium and phosphorous, which is important to bone and tooth health. |
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Temperature regulation - It is also very involved in maintaining the proper temperature for the body to function well. |
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Sensation (pain, touch and temperature) |
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Antigen presentation/immunological reactions/wound healing
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AlphaZelle offers topical solutions to support healthy skin function.
It is important to consult a dermatologist, aesthetician or a trained AlphaZelle representative for a thorough skin evaluation if possible. This process will assist with selection of products that will be utilized by the skin to maintain health and assist recovery.
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| Examples of basic support regimens are as follows: |
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AlphaZelle is proud to announce a series of FREE educational calls for “Creating Optimal Wellness in 2010”. By collaborating with qualified professionals in the health and wellness arena, our goal is to assist you with facilitating looking good, feeling great, and attaining your goals. Education is key to success in any venture and AlphaZelle’s entire staff is very excited to bring all the elements necessary for you to claim victory together in this interactive format.
Topics of discussion will be nutrition, setting goals and maintaining motivation, dealing with stress, health alternatives, balancing all the elements of our being, creating forward momentum and much more! Guest speakers will include nutritionists, aestheticians, massage therapists, chiropractors, just to name a few. A fascinating category of energy medicine will also be introduced.
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 we are pleased to welcome Karen Russell, a licensed nutritional counselor, as our first guest speaker in this challenging series. Topic of discussion will be nutritional support through proper diet to assist with balancing the body’s detoxing system which is crucial to beginning your journey on the road to optimal health and well-being. Perfect timing after the holidays where most of us overindulged in the wrong foods and beverages! Visit www.recipe4wellness.com and sign up for the free newsletter to learn more about nutritional requirements of your body and how to meet those needs through the proper foods.
To register for the first call in this series, please CLICK HERE or copy and paste the following into your web browser: www.alphazelle.com/optimal_wellness_calls.html
Tuesday, February 16th 2010: Sue Urda, Co-Founder of “Powerful You”, will speak on dealing with the issue of stress and how it affects our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual state of being. The healthy approach to setting goals, maintaining powerful forward momentum and reaching them without creating additional stress plus much more! Perfect timing here too! Holiday credit card bills arriving on top of not liking what you see when you look in the mirror. Plus, knowing the dreaded tax time is just around the corner! You won’t want to miss this enlightening discussion. For more information, visit www.powerfulyou.com and sign up for the free newsletter to assist you with finding and maintaining balance in all areas of your life. Registration for the this call will begin on January 20, 2010.
Tuesday, March 16th 2010: Sherry Beitzel, Founder of “Inside Out Therapies” and a trained Dark Field Microscopy technician, will present information on the function and importance of a healthy bloodstream, what is visible in a professional in-depth analysis utilizing this technique versus the typical medical evaluation and how to facilitate a return to optimal system wellness. Plus toxins posing a powerful threat to you, your loved ones, even your pets, their point of origin and how they negatively impact your progress to attaining total health. Learning how to deal with this toxic burden effectively and safely is key to creating optimal health on a cellular level where all wellness begins. Know your options. Education is power! Visit www.wellnessandbeyond.net to learn more! Registration for the this call will begin on February 17, 2010.
There is no charge for your participation. Call information will be announced prior to each scheduled event and an article relative to the upcoming discussion emailed to you.
We are living in a very exciting time and beginning a new decade. 2010 can be a year of change, new beginnings and embarking on a great adventure. The journey may be bumpy at times and quite challenging. Successes can be small or huge. Whatever your goals, with the assistance of qualified professionals remember nothing is impossible.
All ideas for future topics are welcome. Please email us at: info@alphazelle.com
The Team at AlphaZelle would like to extend Best Wishes to you for A Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year! Let’s do it together!
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