The Structure of the Skin:
The skin is the largest organ of the body, made up of multiple layers of cells and tissues and held together by underlying structures of connective tissue. It also has numerous sensory, and autonomic and sympathetic nerve fibers ensuring communication to and from the brain. Together these layers of cells, tissues and nerves make up the single structure, the integumentary system, that performs unique and critical functions, and provides the body with overall protection.
The skin has three primary layers, the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous layer, with the deeper layer of skin being highly vascularized (containing numerous blood vessels).
Function of the Skin:
* Provides a protective barrier against mechanical, thermal and physical injury and hazardous substances
* Prevents loss of moisture
* Reduces harmful effects of UV radiation
* Acts as a sensory organ (touch, detects temperature)
* Helps regular temperature
* An immune organ to detect infections etc.
* A production of Vitamin D
Skin is:
* Self healing
* In service to the whole
* A construct
* Sensual/perceptive
* Colourful
* Always changing
* Flexible
Holistic Understanding of the Skin:
* Underlying health issues may directly affect how a person looks; facial tissues hydration and regeneration, cellular regulation of elastin and collagen, blood and Qi flow as well as oedema and so on.
* Age 35 muscles atrophy, facial wrinkles appear, hair begins to think and fall out
* Yangming channels (stomach & large intestines meridians with the most Qi and blood, meaning they have strong circulation and strong activity). They control digestions, elminiation, skin health, muscles, and energy levels
* At the age of 42, the yang channels (large intestine, stomach, small intestine, bladder, triple burners & gallbladder) reaching the face are exhausted causing the face to wrinkle and hair to turn grey or white
* That said, within TCM, aging is a matter of choice; the optimal function of the body depends upon physical, mental, emotional and dietary choices. Lifestyle is responsible for over 80% of diseases. Examples are high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol.
Basically - control of the mouth, control of the body !
The body is an interactive system with exterior and interior closely connected; disorders of internal organs affect the colour, tone, and smoothness of the face.
* To keep the body and skin beautiful you must keep the inside harmonized and beautiful.
Main Westerns Facial Issues:
* Dry skin
* Ageing skin
* Redness
* Blemishes
* Wrinkles
* Acnes
* Large pores
* Pigmentation
* Phyto Photodermatitis (sunburn)
* Urticaria
* Butterfly skin
* Rosacea
* Eczema
* Brandy nose
* Vitiligo
* Scars