Basic Functions of the Skin Sylvia R. Pickens
Master Esthetician
The skin is the largest organ of the body. Its basic seven functions deserve the finest consideration. The combination of physician and esthetician is essential in this process. Briefly, the seven functions are:
Protection: Fat cells in the subcutaneous tissue protects against blows and falls. The Stratum Corneum acts as a barrier against bacterial invasion; the Stratum Germinativum produces melanin pigment as a natural protection from ultra-violet light.
Regulation: Controls body temperature to maintain internal heat regardless of environmental climate
Sensation: Contains so many tactile nerve endings, the brain can be made aware of the stimuli of pain, heat, and cold in any part of the body.
Absorption: The skin is able to absorb some oil or fat based substances on a topical level, but deeper penetration is confined to either medication or application of a water based substance by means of Galvanic current. Penetration of cosmetic preparations is restricted to the epidermal layers.
Excretion: The eccrine and Apocrine glands excrete perspiration and sweat for temperature regulation.
Secretion: Sebum is secreted by the Sebaceous glands and is a complex mixture of lipids and fatty acids. Adult sebum is fungicidal and germicidal, and inhibits the growth of skin surface bacteria. Sebum plays an important part in maintaining the surface of the skin intact.
To an extent skin cells of the Dermis "breathe", exuding carbon dioxide and eliminating unwanted gasses into their surrounding connective tissue fluid.
Dr. Pickens provides a comprehensive skin consultation on your first visit. When considering micro-dermabrasion, light chemical peels, acne treatment or prevention, it is important to have a physician evaluation to ensure proper care of the skin. The Plastic Surgeon not only is a medical expert in the treatment of skin but also has the surgical knowledge and expertise.
Users of skin care products tend to believe that a product that is promoted to have deep penetration is beneficial. However, it is primarily the first 14 cell layers that are affected by skin care products. When cells are produced in the body, they are 86 per cent moisture, but when they reach the top 14 layers of the skin, stratum corneum, they are weaker and contain 6-9 per cent moisture.
Dr. Pickens utilizes chemical and mechanical means of diminishing the top 14 layers of skin in order to allow an ultrasound application to penetrate anti-oxidant creams to lower layers. It is possible with these measures to notice an improvement after only one treatment but a series of treatments are required to achieve an ultimate result. Dr. Pickens has found these treatments to be effective in enhancing the results of facelift and/or prolonging the need for a facelift.
In the past, a plastic surgeon might perform a facelift and expect to see the patient again in ten years or longer. Now, there are many Age Management techniques to treat the skin from the inside and outside so the patient benefits from personal and continuous individual treatment in the plastic surgeon's office. Dr. Pickens continuing medical education since his Board Certification as a Plastic Surgeon has resulted in the most advanced techniques for maintaining healthy and aesthetically pleasing skin. He focuses on the entire body skin improvement through non-surgical, as well as surgical means.
