The Skin Cycle

Our skin is our bodies' largest organ. It is our first defence system and protects from external stressors like pollution, UV rays, temperature changes, water loss, and germs. It has 3 layers: epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layer.  The epidermis is the uppermost layer and is the waterproof barrier.  The skin's microbiome can be found on top of this barrier. Skin cells are constantly being made in the epidermis and are continually being pushed to the top.  

Once the skin cells are at the top they dry out (keratinize) and become dead flakes.  The whole process is the 'skin cycle' and take approximately 28 days.  As we age this process slows down; it takes 10-20 days as a teenager, and can take 50 days as a 50 year old!  With this slowing, there is an increase in accumulated dead skin cells on the surface and a loss of moisture overall.   The metabolic activity of our skin layers slows down as well so we make less collagen, less elastin, and less hyaluronic acid which all help form the structure of the skin. Ultimately this is why our skin becomes less firm and more uneven and dull.

In my Youthful Glowing Skin Program we will talk about all of this and what to do to mitigate this aging process. Nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle will be discussed over the course of 4 weeks, as well as the cornerstones of a good skincare regime.  We will provide the basics of a good aging regime and discuss all the extras you can do to fight the "inflammaging" process for those of you who are ready for more.

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