Surface matters
Blemish-free, smooth skin is a good indicator of general health, but the body's largest organ works a lot harder than we think. Dr Rosemary Leonard explains
Our skin is the body's largest organ and also an incredible multitasker. First, it provides a waterproof, protective shield, which prevents bugs, chemicals and other substances from harming the body. It also plays an important role in regulating body temperature using tiny blood vessels and sweat glands. When you are hot and flushed, the blood vessels have widened to lose heat, when pale and cold, they have narrowed to conserve heat in the body.
Early ageing warning
We need vitamin D for healthy bones and teeth and get it mainly from sunlight through our skin. The irony is that 80 per cent of ageing is caused by sunlight; without sun damage you would not get wrinkles until your eighties (despite skin proteins, such as collagen and elastin, shrinking with age).
So it's wise to do things in moderation; a little exposure to sun can be good for you and your mood. Sunlight also activates the tanning cells which create melanin in the skin's top layer, the epidermis. Melanin helps protect the skin's inner layer from burning. Even so, if you don't use a good, high SPF factor sun cream, too much UV light increases your risk of skin cancer and damages skin proteins, causing
sagging, lines and wrinkles. Blood vessels
are also weakened, which can cause ‘thread veins'.
On top of that, uneven patches of brown pigmentation may appear, especially on the backs of hands, arms and the face. A good sun cream will both protect and moisturise the skin, but to be effective it must be applied regularly.
Pores for thought
- Skin makes up an amazing 16 per cent of our body weight.
- We all lose about a gram of skin cells every day.
- The epidermis can be up to 10 times thicker on the hands and soles of
the feet. - For really great skin, sun protection isn't enough, you need to eat healthily too – and don't smoke as it blocks the tiny blood vessels which send oxygen to
skin cells.
Light relief
Eczema
People with eczema tend to have very dry skin, with areas that are red, inflamed and itchy. Eczema may occur as part of a tendency towards allergic conditions, or may be triggered by a reaction to a specific chemical. It can occur anywhere, but often affects the insides of the wrists and elbows, and behind the knees. Eczema often improves with exposure to sunlight, but swimming in chlorinated pools can make dryness worse. Sea water helps some, but not others. It is important to continue using regular moisturisers, especially after swimming, and to protect skin with a sunscreen for sensitive skin.
Acne
People with acne produce too much natural oil, and this leads to greasy skin, pustules and spots. Generally acne gets better in warmer weather as being outdoors, exposure to sunshine and swimming can help to dry the skin. So give acne-prone skin a couple of bursts of sunshine each day, for up to half an hour, but protect the skin from burning with a low-oil sunscreen, suitable for greasy skins.
Psoriasis
In psoriasis, excess cells are produced in the top layer of the skin, which build into flaky white plaques. Exposure to short bursts of UV light can be very beneficial, and is even used as a treatment if other therapies haven't worked. However, normal skin
around the exposed area should
always be protected.