Do You Know How Much Collagen You Lose Per Year? Here Are 9 Things To Consider About Skin

Dermato-cosmetologist Viktoria Britsko told why it is important to cleanse the skin of dead cells and how much collagen we lose every year.

Fact # 1: the epidermis renews itself very quickly

The cycle of cell renewal of the upper layer of the skin, the epidermis, is 28-35 days. Some of the dead cells mix with the secretion of the sebaceous glands and dust, polluting the sebaceous glands, which leads to the formation of blackheads. Some dead cells "stick together" to each other, can lead to visible flaking of the skin and the formation of keratomas. It is for this reason that it is important to help the skin get rid of them in time. Enzymes, peels, and scrubs work best for this and need to be done on a regular basis.

Fact # 2: there are over a billion bacteria living on the skin

Our skin is a whole microcosm with its own dominant rules. Every square centimeter is home to at least a million microorganisms. The more varied the composition of these microorganisms, the better for skin health. The microbiome (a collection of skin microorganisms) performs a protective function, and if it is violated, the skin becomes vulnerable to pathogens. To prevent this, it is important to properly care for her and periodically use creams with probiotics - their choice is now quite large. Do not dry your skin with alcohol-based toners, do not use acids and peels more often than provided by the manufacturers.

Fact number 3: completely different bacteria live on the left and right hands

It is better to wash your hands with warm water. Hot water does not improve the effectiveness of hand hygiene. On the contrary, it only makes them worse, because the delicate skin becomes irritated and inflamed.

Fact # 4: every year of life, starting at the age of 30, we lose 1% of collagen

Each person's dermis contains about 70% of the protein - collagen, which is responsible for the elasticity and a clear oval of the face. With every year of life, starting from the age of 30, it decreases by 1%. And this is one of the main reasons for ptosis, wrinkles and other age-related changes. Cosmetologists today have tons of ways to improve collagen synthesis. The principle of all effects on the skin is approximately the same: a specialist breaks down old collagen in order to stimulate the formation of new one.

Fact # 5: during pregnancy, the skin is especially sensitive to UV

It is for this reason that dermatologists advise carefully protecting it from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Otherwise, there is a high risk of developed hyperpigmentation, especially in the zonal cheekbones, above the upper lip and in the central part of the forehead.

Fact # 6: skin color is determined by melanin pigment

The color of the skin is determined, oddly enough, not by the amount of melanin, but by the size of its granules. Women have about 3-4% lighter skin than men. In albinos, melanin is completely absent due to a genetic mutation. As a result, they not only have light skin, but also their hair. Remember: cream with a UV filter must be applied even in winter and in cloudy weather.

Fact number 7: the thinnest skin - on the eyelids

The skin on the body has different thicknesses. It is the densest on the feet - up to 1.4 mm. The thinnest on the eyelids - 0.2 mm. The skin around the eyelids is most prone to puffiness and dark circles.

Fact number 8: "goose" skin is a rudimentary reaction of the body

"Goose" skin is a rudimentary reaction of the body. It appears when we are cold, scared, when we touch and listen to good music. This reaction was inherited from distant ancestors - it was one of the ways to keep warm. The muscles that attach to the hair respond to external stimuli by lifting the hairs and providing good thermal insulation.

Fact number 9: UV rays are one of the main reasons for the appearance of new "moles"

Dermatoscopy is a modern non-invasive diagnostic method for examining skin neoplasms and monitoring their dynamics using epiluminescence microscopy. This method makes it possible to recognize morphological structures that are invisible to the naked eye for diagnosis. It also allows you to assess the danger of moles at the earliest stages of their development. Previously, this was only possible on the basis of tissue analysis under a microscope after removal.