What is skin diagnostics?

Skin health

The skin is the largest organ in the body, comprising about 15% of the body weight, yet most of us don't do enough to maintain our skin’s health.Skin has pigmentation, or melanin, provided by melanocytes, which absorb some of the potentially dangerous ultraviolet radiation in sunlight.Damaged skin will try to heal by forming scar tissue, often giving rise to discoloration and depigmentation of the skin. The skin consists of three main layers: epidermis, dermis and subcaneous tissue.

The epidermis

is the topmost layer of the skin. It is the first barrier between you and the outside world. Another significant group of cell in the epidermis are melanocytes, the cells producing melanin, the pigment responsible for skin tone and color. The condition of epdermis determines how "fresh" your skin looks and also how well your skin absorbs and holds moisture. The skin completely renews itself every 3 - 5 weeks.

The dermis

is the middle layer of the skin located between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissue. It is the thickest of the skin layers and comprises a tight, sturdy mesh of collagen and elastrin fibers. Both collagen and elastin are critically important skin proteins: collagen is responsible for the structural support and elastin for the resilience of the skin. The dermis is the layer responsible for the skin's structural integrity, elasticity and resilience. Wrinkles arise and develop in the dermis.

The subcutanous tissue

is the innermost layer of the skin located under the dermis and consisting mainly of fat. Subcutaneous fat acts as a shock absorber and heat insulator, protecting underlying tissues from cold and mechanical trauma. The loss of subcutaneous tissue, often occurring with age, leads to facial sag and accentuates wrinkles.

As skin ages, it becomes thinner and more easily damaged. Intensifying this effect is the decreasing ability of skin to heal itself. Skin sagging is caused by the fall in elasticity. Skin also receives less blood flow and lower gland activity.
Vein health: Veins are thin walled vessels which carry de-oxygenated blood from the body back to the heart to be re-circulated.

Veins, which have one-way valves, channel the deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The one-way valves prevent blood from flowing backward (reflux). If they fail to close properly, blood will leak through the valves and result in pooling. Over time, this pooling will force the vein wall outward resulting in enlargement and bulging of the vein. These enlarged veins are varicose veins. Varicose veins can protrude from the skin surface resulting in a rope-like appearance.

Symptoms caused by venous insufficiency and varicose veins include aching pain, easily tired legs and leg heaviness, all of which worsen as the day goes on.

Spider veins are small red, purple or blue veins located just below the surface of the skin. They can have a web-like appearance, hence, the term spider vein. Most spider veins have an unattractive cosmetic appearance and, in some cases, may give rise to symptoms of itching, burning, or throbbing of your legs. Another type of vein is the reticular vein, which is bluish, deeper than spider veins, and often "feed" the spider vein. These veins need to be treated or the spider veins cannot be eliminated.

Some tips to developing healthy legs

Exercise: 20-30 minutes of brisk walking per day should be sufficient for most women. Walking and other forms of aerobic exercise is great for your strength and circulation; weight bearing exercise is essential to protect your bones.

Avoid tight fitting or restrictive clothing, especially around the waist, knees and groin
Wear comfortable shoes
Avoid long periods of sitting or standing still
Avoid long, hot baths (instead, take showers)
Elevate the legs when possible. Not having to pump blood upwards against gravity gives your circulation system a well-earned rest
Don't cross your legs
Don't smoke!