7 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Skin’s Health

The largest organ in our body is the skin; the barrier that comes in contact with the world. The skin holds our bodily fluids in place in order to prevent dehydration, and also keeps harmful microbes from infecting us. The nerve endings found in the skin, let us feel sensations such as cold, heat, touch, and pain. Without these sensations in our skin, we wouldn’t get the important signals to adjust to our environment.

The skin is pretty amazing, in that it helps regulate our body temperature too. When our body heat increases, the blood vessels near the surface of the skin, known as capillaries, enlarge in order for the warm blood to cool down. The skin is also responsible for producing vitamin D when we absorb sunshine. Vitamin D, in turn, is responsible for healthy bones and our overall health. There are 7 other skin facts we have collected that are good to know and may even surprise you!

7 Surprising Skin Facts

1. Melanin is the Same For All

The same pigment (melanin) responsible for skin color, is present in everyone. Regardless of race, the same coloring pigment called melanin is found in our skin. The color difference between individuals of the same race, and of people of different races, lies in the amount and distribution of melanin in the skin.

2. The Skin Reveals Underlying Issues

Skin texture and appearance reflects the status of your overall health. Some changes in your skin, may signal changes in your overall health. The change in certain hormones in our body is reflected in the skin, and indicates that something might be wrong with our health.

3. Hair and Oil Work Together

Hair growth in a particular area can be dictated by the oiliness of the skin. Hair and skin have a close relationship. The sebaceous (oil) gland and the hair apparatus, is a single unit. Large oil glands that produce more oil have thin hairs. On the other hand, people with fewer oils from small oil glands have thick hairs.

4. Skin Cells Move Slower as We Age

Skin sheds cells more slowly as we age. Have you ever asked yourself why children have dewy, rosy skin? It is true that all people shed old cells and replace them with new ones.  However, children tend to shed and replace the old skin more frequently compared to older people.

5. Are Stretch Marks Imminent?

Stretch marks can be prevented to a certain level. Pregnancy is the most common cause for stretch marks, but sometimes a teen growth spurt may result in them too. They can be remedied by applying retinoid creams. But for extreme cases, laser treatment might be needed.

6. What is the Deal with Age Spots?

Age spots are really sun spots. The brown spots that appear on the skin and are associated with aging, are usually the result of accumulated exposure to sunlight and damage. You can prevent age spots by avoiding exposure to direct sunlight, or by applying sunscreen before going out.

7. The Color of Melanoma

Although dark moles are frequently screened to look out for skin cancer, melanoma is sometimes colorless. However, melanoma can be of different colors, or even colorless. If a mole looks funny, itchy or is bothering you, it is advised to head in for a check-up.

Are you surprised? Did you learn something? We hope so! Keep these facts in mind and keep the health of your skin good throughout your whole life, as it is the barrier for protection and entry way for nutrition.

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