4 fascinating facts about the skin
According to doctor Heidi Waldorf, an associate clinical professor at the Icahn school of medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, the skin functions not just as a protective layer but it functions as an immune organ that contains specialized immune cells that recognizes intruding organisms and substances. These organisms send out messages to stimulate fighter response in the form of white blood cells.
1. Skin plays an important role in regulating your body temperature: Our skin helps to regulate our body temperature through a process known as thermoregulation. One of the effects of these processes on the body is sweating. The skin has about 4 million sweat glands according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society. During heat periods, the skin helps to cool down your body system through a process known as vasodilation. Vasodilation involves the dilation of blood vessels below the skin surface, allowing for blood flow and heat dissipation. While vasoconstriction involves the constriction of blood vessels to reduce the flow of blood. This makes pores tighten and become smaller. So next time you feel cold or warm know that your skin is working to keep your body temperature comfortable.
2. Just Like A reptile sheds its skin, your skin renews itself every 28 days: Surprised right? Your skin contains a thin outer layer known as the epidermis which contains dead cells. It’s this epidermis that turns over dead cells every 28 days. This shows that even while you are sleeping your skin is still working. You can help clear these dead cells faster, by exfoliating your skin regularly. There are organic and chemical exfoliators but it is preferable to use organic ones.
3. Your skin responds negatively to stress just like your mind: Your skin feels your emotions. It senses whatever is going on in your mind and reacts accordingly. For instance, when you undergo stress, the body releases high-level cortisol and inflammatory molecules called cytokines. These cytokines can trigger enzymes that break down collagen molecules in the skin. Collagen is what gives the skin its sheen, elasticity, and youthful look. You must abstain from stress so that you can maintain healthy skin.
