The Physiology of Aging Skin

Skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin assumes several important physiological functions. The major function of skin is to act as a barrier to the exterior environment. Skin protects the body from friction and mechanical impacts while keeping harmful chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and ultraviolet radiation from entering the body. It also prevents water loss and regulates body temperature by blood flow and the evaporation of sweat. All of these functions are critical to our well-being. Companies are coming out with all kinds of anti-aging creams. Some of those creams are Oil of Olay, Oxytokin, Prototype and Seven Second Eye Lift. These creams are made to reduce or reverse wrinkles making the skin look and feel younger. All over the world, surgical procedures are popular methods used to take advantage of keeping the skin look young. Now more than ever, celebrities are using laser, Botox procedures. Even with the surgical procedures there are some natural remedies to that exist. Food for one can help maintain healthy looking skin. In the following paragraphs, I will go in great detail about other natural remedies that can prevent the skin from aging. Also many other factors that affect the skin in a negative and positive way.
The skin is composed of three different layers: the epidermis, dermis, and sub cutis. The epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, is between about 0.1 and 0.3 mm thick. The stratum corneum (horny cell layer) forms the outermost layer of the epidermis and ranges in thickness from 0.01 to 0.03 mm. The dermis is between 1.0 and 3.0 mm thick. The subcutaneous tissue below the dermis measures about 2 mm in the head and the face, but varies in thickness in the other parts of the body. Healthy skin is maintained by interactions between various substances and molecules. All of the interactions take place within a microscopic structure no more than few millimeters thick. See the below illustration.
There are many different stages of skin aging but we first must understand that aging is caused not by not only physiological factures such as natural aging but also environmental factors. According to Kanebo.com, Skin aging is classified into two types: natural aging and aging driven by the environment. Natural aging is inevitable, but aging driven by the environment can be at least partly controlled. Environmental factors such as UV exposure, dryness, malnutrition, and irregular lifestyle all contribute to the ageing process. Of these various factors, UV exposure has the greatest effect on the skin.
The aging induced by long-term UV exposure is known as photo aging. Photo aging can drastically change the skin by accelerating and aggravating natural aging. In typical cases it reduces the elasticity and firmness of the skin, encourages the formation of deep wrinkles and dark spots, roughens the skin, and remarkably dries the complexion. All of these adverse effects of photo aging are caused by an environmental factor, UV exposure. There are natural remedies to prevent skin aging and according to WebMD, this can be accomplished by different foods.
Young and healthy looking skin is what we all desire and the food you eat can help slow down the rate of age skin aging. Such as oats because they have also have a natural plant chemical that helps prevent damage to skin cells and soothes skin irritation. Oats are low-glycemic which is very good because High-glycemic foods are known to cause acne and wrinkles. Oranges because these are loaded with water, so they hydrate your skin and your cells, it is said that One large orange is an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps make collagen and that, in turn, helps keep your skin supple. Avocados are filled with a healthy type of fat, monounsaturated fat, which helps your skin stay hydrated. That same healthy fat can also help you absorb some vitamins and nutrients that your skin needs. Lean beef, such as top sirloin, is a