Anti Aging & Skin Anatomy

Epidermis:

The topmost, outer layer is somewhat translucent, allowing the light to partially pass through it. The thickness of the epidermis varies in different types of skin.

It is the thinnest on the eyelids at .05 mm, and the thickest on the palms and soles at 1.5 mm. There are no blood vessels in the epidermis, hence this top layer gets it’s nutrients and oxygen from the deeper layers. The epidermis contains five layers and three types of specialized cells.

The top layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, is made of dead, flat skin cells that shed about every 2 weeks. Amongst the three specialized cells, the melanocyte produces pigment (melanin), and the Langerhans' cell is the frontline defense of the immune system in the skin. The epidermis is attached to the next layer, the dermis, by a membrane.

Dermis:

This is the second, deeper layer of the skin. The dermis also varies in thickness depending on the location of the skin. It is 0.3 mm on the eyelid, and 3.0 mm on the back. The dermis is composed of three types of tissues, namely collagen, elastic tissue, and reticular fibers. The sweat glands and hair follicles also reside in this layer, along with some blood vessels and nerves.

Subcutaneous Tissue:

The lowest layer houses larger blood vessels and nerves. This layer is important for the regulation of temperature of the skin itself and the body. The subcutaneous layer is also composed of fat-filled cells called adipose cells. The depth of the subcutaneous fat layer differs from one person to another. This layer is attached to the bones and muscles by connective tissue, which is loose, allowing the skin to move.

*Dermatology is the branch of medicine that is concerned with the physiology of the skin. It also deals with the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases.

The Aging Process

The aging process begins from the moment of birth and its effects are evident in our bodies through out our lives. Beginning in our 20’s, the signs of aging start to become noticeable. The biological processes related to aging are intrinsic aging (or sometimes chronological aging) and extrinsic aging. The damage particularly caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun and sun beds is known as photoaging.