The Basic Stucture of Skin

The Skinny on Skin...

• The largest organ of the body

• 50 to 70 percent water

• Provides a barrier of defense from the environment and guards against moisture loss in the body

• Functions to protect, sense/feel, regulate heat, excrete, and absorb

• Contains millions of pores - openings for hair follicles, sebaceous (oil) glands, and sweat glands

• Needs to be fed and nourished to remain healthy

• The most delicate skin is on the face, neck, and back of hands

The Three Layers of the Skin

1. Subdermis
The bottom layer of the skin is mostly fatty tissue and cushions the layers above it.

2. Dennis
The middle layer of the skin contains collagen and elastin. Within this structure you find blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, sweat glands, oil glands, and hair follicles.

3. Epidermis
The epidermis is the top layer of the skin that is affected by skin care products we use. As the outermost layer of skin, it acts as the protective covering of the body This top layer is where cell renewal takes place. A full layer of skin cells is exfoliated and replaced every three to six weeks.

Melanin is found in the epidermis and determines the color of the skin. Melanin protects the skin from sunburn, which explains why darker-skinned people have fewer incidences of sunburn and sun damage.

Determining Skin Types

Skin Typing

Because each person's skin is unique, skin should be initially profiled prior to using SAM in order to determine the correct
skin care products.

Skin characteristics vary, as seen in the:
1. Size of pores
2. Amount of blemishes
3. Number of fine lines

Examine the skin up-close, in good lighting. By looking at the T-Zone (forehead, nose, chin) as well as the cheek and
eye area we can easily determine a person's skin type.

Characteristics of each skin type or condition:

Normal to dry skin
• Skin appears taut, dull, and prone to flaking
• Fine pores are referred to as closed
• Blemishes are rare
• May have premature fine lines around eyes, nose, and mouth

Normal to oily skin
• Skin appears to have an oily sheen
• Enlarged pores are referred to as open
• Blemishes are common

Sensitive skin condition
• Requires extra and special delicate care
• May have a history of allergic reactions to cosmetics, soap, alcohol, fragrances, or sunscreen
• Usually has suffered from severe stinging, itching, redness, irritation, and swelling in reaction to a product

Note: Sensitive skin is a skin condition, not a skin type. Sensitive skin can be normal to dry or normal to oily.