Module 1 : Anatomy
Hello Love,
In this module we’re going to start building your knowledge foundation so you understand how the treatment works so you can maximize the effectiveness of each procedure. We will cover the anatomy of skin in this lesson, and muscles, the lymphatic system, and adipose cells in the other lessons.
Layers of the Skin
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The epidermis is the outermost skin layer. Its thickness depends on where it is on the body. It's thinnest on the eyelids (roughly half a millimeter) and thickest on your palms and soles (1.5 millimeters).
Conditions and disorders that affect the epidermis include:
Acne, Boils, Dandruff, Eczema, Melanoma
It is made up of the following five layers:
1.) Stratum Corneum : Top layer of epidermis.
Helps your skin retain moisture
Keep unwanted substances out of your body
It is made of dead, flattened cells called keratinocytes that are shed approximately every two weeks. Keratinocytes produce keratin, a fibrous protein that helps provide structure to your skin, hair, and nails.
2.) Stratum Lucidum : The stratum lucidum is a separate layer only in the thicker epidermis on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. In thinner areas, its cells and functions are incorporated into other layers. Its jobs are to:
Allows the skin to stretch
Contains a protein that helps skin cells degenerate
Protects your palms and soles from the effects of friction
Makes your skin waterproof
This layer is also made of dead, flattened keratinocytes
3.) Stratum Granulosum : The stratum granulosum layer contains keratinocytes that are gradually being pushed toward the surface of the skin. While moving through this layer, cells start to lose their structure and characteristic and become more like the dead, flattened keratinocytes of the outermost layers.
This skin layer also contains lipids (a type of fatty acid) that help form a waterproof barrier that prevents your body from losing fluid through the skin.
4.) Stratum Spinosum : The stratum spinosum, or squamous cell layer, is the thickest part of the epidermis. It contains :
Newly formed keratinocytes
Langerhans cells that help fight infection
This is the main barrier that keeps foreign substances in the environment from getting into your body
5.) Stratum Basale : Also called the basal cell layer, the stratum basale is the bottom layer of the epidermis. It contains several important types of cells:
Column-shaped stem cells that push older keratinocytes toward the surface, where they flatten and die.
Melanocytes, which produce pigments that gives your skin its colour
Merkel cells, which sense touch
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The dermis is the middle layer of the skin that is split into 2 layers. It contains connective tissue, capillaries, nerve endings, and hair follicles. It also contains different glands, including sebaceous glands that produce sebum (a body oil) and apocrine glands that produce sweat.
Conditions and disorders that affect the dermis layer include:
Autoimmune collagen disorders such as scleroderma
Chronic sun damage (solar elastosis)
Genetic collagen disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos and Marfan Syndromes
Hives (urticaria)
Tumors, such as dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
It is made up of the following two layers:
1.) Papillary Dermis
The papillary dermis is the thin, upper layer that contains capillaries (tiny blood vessels) that help regulate skin temperature and provide nutrients to the epidermis.
This skin layer also contains the following:
Meissner corpuscles, which are receptors that transmit sensations of delicate touch
Lamellar corpuscles, which are receptors that transmit sensations of vibration and pressure
2.) Reticular Dermis
The reticular dermis is the thick, lower layer that contains connective tissues and dense collagen bundles.
Collagen is the main protein that provides structure to skin and connective tissues. It gives skin elasticity and strength.
The thickness of the dermis varies by its location on the body. On the eyelids, it is roughly 0.6 millimeters thick. On the back, palms of hands, and soles of the feet, it's 3 millimeters thick
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The innermost layer of the skin is the hypodermis. Also known as subcutaneous tissue, it's mostly made up of:
Fat
Connective tissues
Larger blood vessels
Nerves
The majority of your body fat is stored in the subcutaneous layer. It insulates you against changing temperatures and protects your muscles and internal organs from impacts and falls.
Conditions that affect the subcutaneous layer of the skin include:
Bedsores
Hypothermia
Panniculitis
Sarcoidosis
Third-degree burns
Tumors
Types of Collagen
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Type I collagen makes up 90% of the collagen in your body and surrounds tendons, cartilage, muscles, teeth, and bones.
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This type of collagen is found in the cartilage in your joints. It is specifically designed to provide cushioning and shock absorption in your joints.
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This collagen makes up the fascia that surrounds your arteries and visceral organs.
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Type IV collagen is located within the layers of your skin.
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This type of collagen makes up cell membranes, hair, and the human placenta.
Collagen & Elastin
Definitions :
Collagen is a group of proteins found mainly in the connective tissue of your skin. Your fibrous and supportive tissue also contains collagen protein.
Elastin - is a protein created by fibroblasts which form a chain of elastic fiber. These elastin fibers maintain your skin’s elasticity and firmness.
Molecular Structure :
Collagen is made of the triple helix formed with three polypeptide chains.
Elastin is made with three random components. However, no helix is formed due to the combination.
Properties :
Collagen is a key component found in tissues like fascia, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, bone and skin. It is made of amino acids such as hydroxyproline glycine, proline, and arginine.
Elastin is a major protein component of tissues like lungs, arteries, bladder, skin, elastic ligaments and cartilage. Elastin is made of soluble tropoelastin, glycine, valine, proline residues and modified alanine.
Uses :
Collagen provides strength and elasticity to your skin.
Elastin allows many tissues of your body to continue being in their shape even after stretching. It also helps skin to return to its original status after being poked or pinched.
Flexibility :
Collagen is not that flexible in nature.
Elastin is known for its flexibility. It is nearly 100 times more flexible than collagen.
Colour :
Collagen is white in colour.
Elastin is yellow in colour.
Affected By :
Your collagen level may get affected by extreme sugar intake, smoking, exposure to sunlight or even due to health conditions like autoimmune disorders.
Elastin is most likely to get affected by sudden weight gain/loss, dehydration, sleep deprivation, smoking and UVA or UVB rays.
Collagen and elastin are essential proteins in maintaining skin structure and elasticity. Collagen is responsible for providing skin its strength, while elastin provides elasticity. As you age, the body produces less collagen and elastin, making your skin thinner and more prone to sagging. This natural phenomenon is unavoidable, but lifestyle factors such as smoking, sun damage, and poor diet can accelerate collagen and elastin breakdown.
Aging
Gravity is another major contributor to sagging skin. The skin also loses its elasticity making it more likely to droop downward. This is evident in the cheeks, neck, and eyelids. Gravity is also why body parts like breasts and buttocks lose volume and shape. Unfortunately, not much can be done to prevent gravity from acting on your skin. However, facial exercises can help lift and tone the muscles underneath the skin, improving sagging around the face and neck.
The role of hydration and nutrition in skin health cannot be overstated. Drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins can help keep your skin healthy and youthful. Dehydration can cause the skin to dry out and appear dull and lifeless, exacerbating sagging. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats can provide the nutrients our skin needs to maintain its structure and prevent sagging. Additionally, moderate alcohol consumption can help keep the skin healthy by reducing the risk of oxidative stress and inflammation risk.