There are number of threats
to the skin which can be classified as “Internal Threats” and “External Treats”.
Lets discuss each of them in detail.
Internal Threats:
Alcohol: Alcohol deprives
the body of its vitamin reserves especially vitamin B and C, which are
necessary for a healthy skin. Alcohol also tends to dehydrate the body, including
the skin.
Caffeine:
Coffee, tea, cocoa and soft fizzy drinks contain a mild drug called caffeine. In
moderate doses, such as two or three cups of coffee per day caffeine is safe. If
you drink too much, however, caffeine can cause nervousness, interfere with
digestion, block the absorption of vitamins and minerals, and spoil the appearance
of the skin.
Smoking:
Smoking interferes with cell respiration and slows down the circulation. This
makes it harder for nutrients to reach the skin cells and for waste products to
be eliminated. Cigarette smoking also releases a chemical that destroys C. This
interferes with the production of collagen, and thereby contributes to
premature wrinkling. Nicotine is toxic substance
– a poison.
Medication:
Certain medicines taken by mouth can cause skin dehydration, oedema – swelling of
the tissues – (this may for example be caused by steroids) or irregular skin pigmentation
(sometimes caused by contraceptive pill). 
Stress:
Stress is shown in the face as tension lines where the facial muscles are
tight. Because blood and lymph cannot circulate properly, this causes a “sluggish”
skin condition and poor facial nutrition. A person suffering from stress
usually experiences disturbed sleep or sleeplessness (Insomnia). Lack of sleep causes the skin to become dull and puffy. Especially
the tissue beneath the eyes, where dark circles also appear. Too much sleep
also can cause the facial tissue to become puffy – because the circulation is
less active, body fluids collect in the tissue.
External Threats:
As well as looking after the
skin from the inside, by diet, it needs care from the outside, it must be kept
clean, and it must be nourished.
Ultraviolet light:
although recently ultraviolet (UV) has been identified as a hazard to skin, it
also has some positive effects. One of these is its ability fo stimulate the
production of vitamin D, which is absorbed into the bloodstream and nourishes and
helps to maintain bone tissue. Second, UV light activates the pigment melanin
in the skin, and thereby creates a Tan. In many western countries people feel
better when they have a tan but in some Asian countries people don’t like tan since
it gives them a darker skin appearance. Between 11 AM to 3 PM the UV light is
at its peak so can cause sunburn. The skin becomes red as the cells are
damaged, and the skin may blister. UV
light is also implicated in skin cancers.
Climate:
sebum, the skin’s natural grease, provides an oily protective film over the surface
of the skin which reduces evaporation. Despite
this, unprotected exposure of the skin to the environment allows evaporation
from the epidermis which results in a dry, dehydrated skin condition.
The climate has several
effects on the skin.
- Sebum production: when the skin is exposed to the cold, less sebum is produced. The skin has reduced protection, allowing moisture to evaporate.
- Perspiration: In very hot weather more moisture is lost as perspiration. Perspiration increases, to cool the skin and regulate the body’s temperature.
- Humidity: Moisture loss from the skin is also affected by the humidity (water content) of the surrounding air. In hot, dry weather humidity will be low, so water loss will be high. In temperate, damp conditions humidity will be high so water loss will be low.
- Extreme of temperature: Alternating heat and cold often leads to the formation of broken capillaries. These appear as fine red lines on Caucasian skin, and as discoloration on black skin.
- Stratum Corneum: the cells of the stratum corneum multiply with repeated unprotected exposure to the climate, as the body’s natural defense.
The damaging effects caused
by the climate can be reduced by using protective skin care preparations such
as moisturizers. These spread a layer of oil over the skin’s surface, reduces
evaporation.