UR SKIN & U!

Your Skin is the Soft outer covering of any animal(esp vertebrae). Its the Sensory organ that holds all parts of our body together.

Beyond all we learnt in Elementary school, the skin does so many things we usually overlook.

1). Protects our Bodies from Pathogens & Excessive Water Loss
2).Gives us a Sense of Touch, Pressure & Vibration
3).Helps us regulate our body Temperature
4).Storage for Lipids,Water & Vitamin D
5). Allows diffusion in Small Amounts of O2, N2 & CO2
6). Acts as a Barrier which helps prevent loss of essential Nutrients.

The skin is made up of the following layers, with each layer performing specific functions:

- epidermis
- dermis
- fat layer

EPIDERMIS : is the thin outer layer of the skin & is made up of three sub-layers:

* stratum corneum (horny layer)
This layer contains continually shedding, dead keratinocytes (the primary cell type of the epidermis). The keratin, a protein formed from the dead cells, protects the skin from harmful substances.

* keratinocytes (squamous cells)
This layer contains living keratinocytes (squamous cells), which help provide the skin with what it needs to protect the rest of the body.

* basal layer
The basal layer is the inner layer of the epidermis, containing basal cells. Basal cells continually divide, forming new keratinocytes and replacing the old ones that are shed from the skin's surface.

The epidermis also contains melanocytes, which are cells that produce melanin

DERMIS: is held together by a protein called collagen, made by fibroblasts (skin cells that give the skin its strength and resilience). This layer also contains pain and touch receptors.
subcutis

SUBCUTIS: is the deepest layer of skin and is also known as the subcutaneous layer. The subcutis, consisting of a network of collagen and fat cells which helps conserve the body's heat while protecting other organs from injury by acting as a "shock absorber."

I guess by now, u must be wondering ' What is she going on about?' , but i assure you, im only here to get to that point of having Better Looking Skin alongside my friends & members of this Group, apart from being a Makeup artist & makeup Collector.

So,first of all we need to understand the kind of skin we have. We(Africans) have our skin the way it is,based on the increased amount of melanin in our skin. This is what helps protect our skin from sunlight & slows down the aging process, hence keeping us looking younger than Caucasians.

But as we age, we begin to experience irregular pigmentation, hence the older women we know, my mum is a gr8 example,lol & those who experimented with Bleaching & Lightening creams. The funny thing is no matter what we do, we are bound to experience some form of pigmentation due to:
-SUN EXPOSURE
- PREGNANCY
- BIRTH CONTROL PILLS OR ESTROGEN TREATMENTS
-INFLAMMATION FROM INSECT BITES, ACNE etc

So b4 u buy that Bleaching or Lightening cream hoping you can get Sister Sade's complexion, please note that the Repercussion is Thinning of your skin, Blood Poisoning(if the cream contains Mercury) & Blood Vessel Streaks(Those veins u saw on Iya xxxxx's Legs & arms).

** We all overlook the use of Sunscreen, but with the Heat & Ultraviolet rays these days, it would be advisable you included the use of a GOOD Sunscreen Lotion in ur Beauty Regimen & Remember the Higher the SPF, the greater the protection you get.

** Please drink lots of water, that cant be emphasized enough

** Get plenty of rest

** Take Foods that are beneficial to your skin & reduce the Temptation to eat lots of chocolates

** And as much as possible, let your skin breathe, u dont have to use heavy makeup all the time, u know urself,lol!

You are Ur Skin & Ur Skin is U. Dont lay claims to the way u were born or the fact that u were born in Africa. A Bad skin is bad, no matter where you go!

Have fun & if you have any questions,don't hesitate to send me a mail - sitpretty412@yahoo.com & PLEASE leave a comment!!