Taking Care of Yourself Chapter 2

Protecting Your Skin

Structures of the Skin

Epidermis: the thin outer layer of the skin Epidermis: the thin outer layer of the skin. The cells at the surface of this layer are dead. These dead cells are continuously rubbed off by your clothing or washing. Dermis: the thick, inner layer of the skin. It contains most of the specialized structures including blood vessels, the nerve endings, and the sweat and oil gland.

More About Skin Melanin: a skin pigment that protects you from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Melanin also determines the color of the skin.

Functions of the Skin Protection: Your body’s first line of defense. Sensation: Sense of touch Receptors: a nerve ending that receives information about the environment and sends that information to the brain. Temperature Regulation Waste Removal

More Functions of Skin

Sebum: an oily secretion from oil glands that may block the ducts and pores, causing pimples and blackheads. Astringent: a substance that contains alcohol and can dry the skin, which helps prevent the buildup of sebum.

Common Skin Problems Dry Skin

Acne: a skin infection that occurs when sebum blocks ducts and pores.

Skin Problems Dermatitis: a condition characterized by red, swollen, itchy patches on the skin.

Skin Problems Psoriasis: characterized by patches of pink to purple colored skin covered with grayish- white scales.

Other Skin Problems Skin Infection: results when disease causing organisms penetrate the skin. Dandruff: dead cells on the scalp. Boil: a skin infection that invades the layers of the skin.

Other Skin Problems Athletes’ Foot: an itching, redness and cracking of the skin between the toes that is caused by a fungus. Hives: small itchy lumps on the skin. They can be caused by an allergic reaction to food, medicine or pollen. Warts: raised skin growths caused by a virus.

Caring for Your Skin Dermatologist: a physician who specializes in diseases and disorders of the skin.

Take Care of Your Skin! Sunscreen: a lotion that blocks out some of the sun’s UVB rays and reduces skin damage. Sun Protection Factor (SPF): tells how much protection they provide against UVB rays. Sun Block: a thick cream that completely blocks both types of UV rays.

The Sun is Damaging! Skin Cancer: an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells that invade and destroy healthy tissue. Sunburn: a condition that results when the skin has been overexposed to the sun.

1. Protect yourself from the sun One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer. *Use Sunscreen *Seek shade 10am -4pm *Wear protective clothing

Don’t smoke Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles.

Limit how long showers or baths are Treat your skin gently Limit how long showers or baths are Avoid strong soaps Shave carefully Pat Dry Moisturize dry skin

Eat Healthy Diet A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.

Manage stress Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect

Lesson 2.1 Questions Describe two ways to prevent body odor. When you are outdoors, you should use both a sunscreen and a sun block. Why is it necessary to use both? Describe how evaporation of perspiration helps control your body temperature.