Basics of Skin Aesthetics and Spa Therapy

Skin and Face Muscle Anatomy and Physiology

• The skin is far more than just the outer covering of human

beings,It is an organ just like the heart, lungs or liver.Besides providing a layer of protection from pathogens,physical abrasions and radiation from the sun, the skin serves many functions.It plays a vital role in homeostasis by maintaining a constant body temperature via the act of sweating or shivering and by making you aware of external stimuli through information perceived within touch receptors located within the integumentary system.

FACTS ABOUT THE SKIN The skin is the body’s largest organ ,

covering the entire body.In addition to serving as a protective shield against heat, light , injury and infections the skin also-

• Regulates body temperature

• Stores water and fat

• Is a sensory organ

• Prevents water loss

• Prevents entry of bacteria

Throughout the body , the skin’s characteristics vary(i.e thickness,color, texture).For instance, the head contains more hair follicles than anywhere else ,while the soles of the feet contain none.In addition , the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands are much thicker

The skin is made up of the following layers,with each layer performing specific functions-

• Epidermis

• Dermis

• Subcutaneous fat layer

Epidermis The epidermis is the thin outer layer of the skin which consists of the following three parts-

• Stratum corneum (horny layer) This layer consists of fully mature keratinocytes which contain fibrous proteins (keratins). The outermost layer is continuously shed. The stratum corneum prevents the entry of most foreign substances as well as the loss of fluid from the body.

• Keratinocytes (squamous cells) This layer, just beneath the stratum corneum, contains living keratinocytes (squamous cells), which mature and form the stratum corneum.

skin

• Basallayer The basal layer is the deepest layer of the epidermis, containing basal cells. Basal cells continually divide, forming new keratinocytes, replacing the old ones that are shed from the skin's surface.

• The epidermis also contains melanocytes, which are cells that produce melanin (skin pigment).

Dermis The dermis is the middle layer of the skin. The

dermis contains the following:

• Blood vessels

• Lymph vessels

• Hair follicles

• Sweat glands

• Collagen bundles

• Fibroblasts

• Nerves

The dermis is held together by a protein called collagen, made by fibroblasts. This layer gives skin flexibility and strength. It also contains pain and touch receptors

Subcutis

• The subcutis is the deepest layer of skin. The subcutis, consisting of a network of collagen and fat cells, helps conserve the body's heat and protects the body from injury by acting as a "shock absorber."