Transcript skin_retexturization..

Skin Retexturization
Did You Know?
Rough skin can be safely
smoothed by algae, enzymes,
and acids.
Objectives
After viewing this course, you should have an
understanding of the following:
• Part I: Skin Texture. Learn about the factors that can alter
skin texture.
• Part II: Retexturization Methods. Learn about two
retexturization methods: physical and chemical.
Part One: Skin Texture
Part One: Skin Texture
Skin texture refers to the look and feel
of the surface of the skin. Skin texture
can be smooth or rough.
• Smooth skin texture is uniform and
even. Light is reflected uniformly.
• Rough skin texture is uneven and has
raised areas or depressions. Light is
reflected non-uniformly.
Rough skin texture that results in
uneven light reflection can cause the
skin to appear dull or dark.
Skin Texture and the Skin’s Moisture Barrier
The skin’s moisture barrier is
responsible for maintaining optimal
skin texture.
Also known as the stratum corneum,
the moisture barrier is the outermost
layer of the epidermis. Composed
primarily of 25–30 layers of flattened,
dead cells, the skin’s moisture barrier
is the protective layer of the skin.
Factors Affecting Skin Texture
• Dry skin
• Sun exposure
• Acne
• Aging
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Medical conditions
• Skin conditions
Dry Skin
Dry skin is a result of the skin’s moisture barrier
(stratum corneum) being depleted of water and not
functioning properly. As a result, the skin can be rough
in texture. Some external causes of dry skin include
the following:
• Long, hot showers
• Cold, dry air
• Solvents and soaps
• Chaffing and scrubbing
Sun Exposure
Sun exposure is the skin's most dangerous
enemy. Accumulated over a lifetime, sun damage
causes most of the changes to the skin
associated with aging, such as lines and
wrinkles, discolorations, broken blood vessels,
roughness, and cancer.
For a dramatic contrast, compare the color and
texture of your skin where it has been exposed to
the sun with an area that has been protected,
such as the abdomen. Compared to the
protected skin, exposed skin is rougher and
shows more signs of discoloration.
Acne
Acne causes destruction of skin tissue and
can result in scars and enlarged pores that
alter skin texture.
Acne enlarges the pores when they are
repeatedly clogged, leaving acne
sufferers—even those with oily skin—with
skin texture that is coarse or rough.
Aging
With age, the skin’s natural cell renewal
process slows. As a result, the outer
layer of skin cells remains longer on the
skin’s surface, giving skin a dull look.
This causes skin to be rough and scaly.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Good nutrition is important for healthy skin.
Nutritional deficiencies, such as low levels
of vitamin A, can cause the cell renewal
rate of the skin to slow and damage the
skin’s delicate moisture barrier. This can
lead to a build-up of skin cells on the
surface of the skin, giving the skin a rough
texture.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions directly affect
the skin’s intercellular matrix. When the
intercellular matrix is changed, the moisture
barrier is damaged, giving the skin a rough
texture. Examples of such medical
conditions include the following:
• Hypoglycemia
• Hypothyroidism
• Autoimmune thyroid diseases
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions can alter the skin’s texture
through irritation, dryness, and a damaged
moisture barrier. Some skin conditions are
chronic, while some are temporary.
Examples include the following:
• Eczema
• Dermatitis
• Rosacea
• Ichthyosis
• Skin cancer
Review
Skin texture is maintained in the skin by the moisture
barrier. Anything that damages or alters the moisture
barrier will change the skin’s texture from smooth to
rough. The major contributors to rough skin are:
• Dry Skin
• Sun Exposure
• Acne
• Aging
• Nutritional Deficiencies
• Medical Conditions
• Skin Conditions
Part Two:
Retexturization Methods
Part Two: Retexturization Methods
For skin that is rough in texture, two main methods for
smoothing and retexturizing the skin exist: physical and
chemical exfoliation.*
*Exfoliation refers to the removal of the uppermost layers or sheets of
dead skin cells. The word folio (a root word in exfoliation) has many
meanings, including: leaf, thin leaf-like sheet, or layer.
Physical Exfoliation
Physical exfoliation can smooth and soften
the skin by removing the uppermost layers
of dead skin cells. Physical exfoliation can
be accomplished in the following three
ways:
• Mechanical action: rubbing facial skin with
hands while washing.
• Abrasive texture: rubbing the face with a
rough textured washcloth.
• Abrasive particles: exfoliating with granular
particles, such as walnut shells and marine
diatoms.
More about Abrasive Particles
Definition:
• Abrasive particles can be derived from many sources and can range in size, shape, and
number.
Function:
• They work by removing the uppermost layers of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.
Particle choice depends on desired retexturization result. Some examples of particles used
for exfoliation include the following:
1. Walnut shells – semi-smooth particles effectively scrub away layers of damaged, dead skin cells.
2. Marine diatoms – small, smooth particles gently remove upper layer of dull, dead skin cells.
Chemical Exfoliation
Chemical exfoliation works to encourage
the removal of dulling, dead skin cell layers
by loosening and dissolving the dead skin
cells with a nonabrasive solution.
Acids and proteolytic enzymes are the
main methods used for chemical
exfoliation.
More about Acids
Definition:
• An acid is a corrosive substance that releases hydrogen ions when present
in a solution.
Function:
• An acid works by chemically dissolving the connection between the cells in
the outer layers of the skin’s surface.
Result:
• Evenly reveals younger cells on the surface of the skin for soft, smooth
skin and glowing, uniform light reflection.
More about Proteolytic Enzymes
Definition:
• A proteolytic enzyme (or protease) is a type of enzyme that breaks down protein
into smaller units. Fast becoming the retexturizer ingredient of choice by skin care
products manufacturers, enzymes are gentle to the skin, yet work effectively.
Function:
• Break down the proteins that bind cells together in the outer layers of the skin,
readying them for removal.
Result:
• Evenly reveals younger cells on the surface of the skin for soft, smooth skin and
glowing, uniform light reflection.
Review
Two main methods for retexturizing the skin:
• Physical (mechanical action and abrasives)
• Chemical (acids and proteolytic enzymes)
The skin’s moisture barrier protects optimal skin texture. Influences
such as dry skin, sun exposure, acne, aging, nutritional deficiencies,
medical conditions, and skin conditions alter skin texture.
You can effectively smooth and soften your skin through physical or
chemical methods of retexturization.
Test Your Knowledge
Congratulations!
You have completed the
Skin Retexturization training course.