The skin is the largest organ in the human body, in fact, an average adult has around 22 square feet of it. It is a complex system of cells, blood vessels, tissues and proteins that has many functions and processes that impact on our health and how our bodies function and react in the world.
The skins’ structure…
The skin is comprised of 3 layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis (subcutaneous layer):
The Epidermis – is the outermost layer of the skin and is responsible for protecting our bodies from environmental factors.
It is comprised of 5 layers, each one building on the one below, creating a protective barrier of melanocytes (cells that determine the colour of our skin and protect us from UV rays) and the acid mantel that creates a waterproof barrier and helps the skin from cracking and becoming open to bacterial infection.
The epidermis is constantly regenerating, shedding dead skin cells, and producing new ones, so we need to ensure that we are taking care of our skin so that the new cells are strong and healthy.
The Dermis – is the middle layer of skin composed of dense connective tissue that is tough, very elastic, and flexible in nature. It gives the skin its strength, contour, smoothness, and elasticity. It has a high-water content and provides nourishment to the epidermis via the blood.
The dermis also contains:
- sweat glands that help to remove toxins from the skin and help to regulate our temperature.
- sebaceous glands that maintain moisture and oil levels in the skin.
- hair follicles that provide insulation and protection
- blood vessels that bring vital nutrients and oxygen to the skin
- nerve endings that transmit sensory information to the brain
- cells called fibroblasts that produce collagen and elastin that give the skin its flexibility and overall strength.
The Hypodermis (Subcutaneous Layer) – the deepest layer of the skin is primarily where body fat is formed and stored. This fat layer is thicker in women and is responsible for the contours of the body. It also helps to reduce the loss of heat through the skin.
Bad habits that cause skin damage and premature ageing?
As the skin is so complex there are a number of things can disrupt its balance and functionality:
- Exposure to UV rays from the sun and tanning beds can penetrate to the deeper layers of the skin causing sunburn, premature aging and in extreme cases, skin cancer.
- Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin which causes the cells that produce collagen and elastin to breakdown more quickly. This leads to premature ageing; lines & wrinkles, sagging and a dull complexion.
- Air pollution can cause dryness and irritation and it can aggravate pre-existing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
- Poor diet and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration, inflammation, and premature aging, which can cause wrinkles, dryness, and dullness.
- Stress can cause breakouts, dryness, and wrinkles. When we are stressed, our bodies produce the hormone cortisol, that can cause an increase in oil production and inflammation in the skin.
- A lack of sleep contributes to various skin issues, including dark circles, puffiness, dryness, and a dull complexion. When we don’t get adequate rest, our bodies again produce cortisol resulting in the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibres causing lines and wrinkles and the disruption of the skins natural repair process.
- Using skincare products & treatments that are wrong for your skin type can lead to either dryness or over stimulation of the sebaceous glands that increases oil production. This can cause irritation and breakouts.
- Not removing make-up before bed can result in blocked pores, breakouts, and skin irritation. It is also very drying and can accelerate the ageing process.
How Face Yoga supports good skin health
The first step to good skin health is to alter our bad habits and take small steps towards changing the things we do that cause skin damage. Using an SPF, removing our make-up properly, eating and hydrating well and getting enough sleep are small daily changes we can take that will make differences to the skin very quickly.
When you also add a daily Face Yoga routine, overtime you begin to see significant changes in your complexion and skin health. A good routine will take around 15-minutes a day and you will see:
- Increased blood circulation: improved blood flow to the face boosts the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells helping with the production of collagen and elastin.
- Improved skin elasticity: by improving the tone, strength, and elasticity of the facial muscles, we can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Reduced stress and tension: a reduction of stress and tension in the facial muscles, helps prevent the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Improved lymphatic drainage: stimulating lymphatic drainage can help reduce puffiness and promote a more youthful appearance.
- Improved facial symmetry: brings balance and definition to the contours of the face.
- An overall sense of relaxation and well-being: leaves you feeling calm, relaxed, and de-stressed.
Additional benefits of Face Yoga are that it can be done at any time, with no need for any equipment, it is a natural and non-invasive alternative to cosmetic procedures, and it leaves you with a healthy, glowing skin.
If you would like to discover the benefits of Face Yoga for yourself, then sign up for my FREE “The 5-minute face lift without a knife and needles” guide. This short video and PDF guide introduces you to 6 core face yoga poses that will give you a youthful, healthy glow. https://bit.ly/5-minutefacelift
If you are ready to make Face Yoga part of your routine the head to my Services page to see how you can work with me.
