SO TELL ME WHAT'S UNDER MY SKIN!

INTRODUCTION TO THE SKIN!
What It Looks Like
The skin is the largest organ in the body.
It is also the only organ in the human body which is constantly exposed to the external environment.
The skin is a waterproof, flexible, tough protective covering for the body surface.
The skin surface is smooth, punctuated only with hair and pores for sweat.
It is divided into three layers: epidermis (the outer layer), dermis (the middle layer), and fats (the innermost layer).

What It Does
Without the skin, life on earth is near impossible.
Bones, muscles and organs would be all over the place. The Skin is the one that holds everything together.
The skin provides a barrier to the environment, protects you from ultraviolet light, regulates bodily temperature, senses touch, provides insulation and helps to store calories.
However the skin can become infected with bacteria, viruses and fungi, and can be irritated by chemicals or other substances it is in contact with as well.

BLOG ENTRIES ON THE SKIN

Monday, March 3, 2008

i'm sure everyone knows what acne is, or has even suffered from acne before. so, i'm here to share with everyone what acne is...

WHAT IS (THE MUCH DREADED) ACNE?
Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands), which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring, permanent scarring, which can be upsetting to people who are affected by the disorder.

How Does Acne Develop?
Doctors describe acne as a disease of the pilosebaceous units (PSUs). Found over most of the body, PSUs consist of a sebaceous gland connected to a canal, called a follicle, that contains a fine hair (see "Normal Pilosebaceous Unit" diagram, below). These units are most numerous on the face, upper back, and chest. The sebaceous glands make an oily substance called sebum that normally empties onto the skin surface through the opening of the follicle, commonly called a pore. Cells called keratinocytes line the follicle.

image: normal pilosebaceous unit

The hair, sebum, and keratinocytes that fill the narrow follicle may produce a plug, which is an early sign of acne. The plug prevents sebum from reaching the surface of the skin through a pore. The mixture of oil and cells allows bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) that normally live on the skin to grow in the plugged follicles. These bacteria produce chemicals and enzymes and attract white blood cells that cause inflammation.

When the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it spills everything into the nearby skin--sebum, shed skin cells, and bacteria--leading to lesions or pimples.
People with acne frequently have a variety of lesions, such as the basic acne lesion, called the comedo, which is simply an enlarged and plugged hair follicle. If the plugged follicle, or comedo, stays beneath the skin, it is called a closed comedo and produces a white bump called a whitehead. A comedo that reaches the surface of the skin and opens up is called a blackhead because it looks black on the skin's surface. Both whiteheads and blackheads may stay in the skin for a long time.

What causes acne?
The exact cause of acne is unknown, but doctors believe it results from several related factors. One important factor is an increase in hormones called androgens (male sex hormones). These increase in both boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum.
Another factor is heredity or genetics. Researchers believe that the tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents. Certain drugs, including androgens and lithium, are known to cause acne. Greasy cosmetics may alter the cells of the follicles and make them stick together, producing a plug.

What are the factors that make acne worse?
Factors that can cause an acne flare include:

Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts
Friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin
Environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity
Squeezing or picking at blemishes
Hard scrubbing of the skin

How Should People With Acne Care for Their Skin?
People with Acne can try the following:

Clean skin gently
Avoid Frequent Handling of the Skin
Shave Carefully
Avoid a Sunburn or Sun tan
Choose Cosmetics Carefully

So, don't worry if youre down with acne, i'm sure with proper care, your skin will recover. Meanwhile, DONT SCRATCH THAT PIMPLE!

-amanda

i thought about my skin
at 7:09 PM