Go Go Organic Going In Depth:

The Integumentary System:

The skin forms a protective barrier around the muscles, internal organs, and skeleton; the skin also connects the hair and nails. A similar comparison includes cells, which represent the building blocks of all organisms; DNA directs the actions of the cells.

Organs of the Integumentary System: “The skin and its components are he largest organ of the human body. Skin contains multiple layers of cells and tissues held together by connective tissue to protect the body. Accessory parts include hair, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands”.

Skin can sense changes in the surroundings primarily through the air found on its surface. Hair roots detect changes and proceed to communicate messages to the central nervous system, which in turn triggers the body's response, thus activating the skeletal muscles. The skin enables this superpower through its sensory nerves, which detect touch, temperature, and pain.

These nerves are more concentrated at the fingertips. Skin contains Meissner corpuscles; detects light touch. Pacinian corpuscles detect vibrations, and Merkel cells help detect touch. The intermembranous systems help maintain body temperature through sweat glands; the createdermcidin, a substance with antibiotic properties, which kills pathogens. Skin also works in conjunction with the sympathetic nervous system, also referred to as the body's fight-or-flight response, to regulate temperature. The sympathetic nervous system monitors body temperature and initiates an appropriate response to maintain it within a normal range. Sweet glands secrete water, salt, and other substances to maintain a consistent body temperature throughout the day, especially when it is too warm. Next, the skin regulates body temperature by enlarging and shrinking the small arteries in the dermis layer to control the amount of blood that flows to the area. In effect, when our body temperature is low, arteries shrink to minimize heat loss and keep blood closer to central organs. Experiencing excessive cold can lead to frostbite, as there is insufficient blood flow to warm extremities, such as the fingers and toes. When warm air rises, it expands, promoting heat loss.

Go Go Organic Saving Wrinkles:

Skin becomes more fragile over time, due to the dermis and epidermis becoming thinner, drier, and less elastic, as a result of the loss of elastin and collagen, which help keep the skin firm. UV rays, smoking, and facial expressions can all contribute to the development of wrinkles. Skin protects the body from water, wind, and pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, while also preventing water loss, which in effect cools the body and induces sweating.

Go Go Organic Skin Structure:

The skin consists of three primary layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis; thus, each layer has distinct factors and components.

Epidermis:

The most superficial surface of the skin is made of four or five layers of epidermal cells. Many parts of our body consist of four layers of skin, while thicker skin, for instance, the palms and feet, has five layers. Epidermal layers, from superficial to deep, are the stratum granulosum, stratum corneum, stratum spinosum, and stratum lucidum. The fifth layer is called the stratum lucidum, which is located between the stratum corneum and stratum granulosum. Epidemis does not include any blood vessels.

In contrast, cells in the layer of the epidermis are called keratinocytes, which are cells that make and store the protein keratin. Keratin gives hair, nails, and skin their texture and water resistance. Keratinocytes of the stratum corneum are dead cells that are regularly replaced by new cells, a process called keratinization, which occurs in 30 days. Melanocytes are found in the stratum basale, and they influence the pigmentation of skin. These cell types are formed in the innermost layer of the epidermis, and they change in shape and composition as they move towards the surface of the skin.

The dermis is located deep within the epidermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, and is composed of elastin and collagen fibers—two layers: papillary (superficial) and reticular (deep). The papillary layer contains collagen and elastin fibers that form a loose mesh that projects into the epidermal layer through dermal papillae; it also includes phagocytes, which are cells that fight off pathogens, as well as lymphatic capillaries. The reticular layer is a thicker connective tissue that contains numerous blood vessels and nerve receptors. Thus, the collagen and elastin in the layer are denser, which provides the skin with elasticity and structure. In contrast, over time, these properties diminish.

Anatomy of the Skin:

The skin is divided into three layers that contain hair follicles, connective tissue, blood vessels, sweat glands for cooling the body, and oil glands for lubricating the skin and hair.

Protecting the skin:

Skin protects us from harmful elements, but to maintain that barrier, we need to do our part to safeguard it. Limit sun exposure; harmful ultraviolet rays cause age spots, wrinkles, and cancer. Use sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 and stay indoors around noon, when the sun's rays are strongest. Staying hydrated involves drinking plenty of water, moisturizing dry skin with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or coconut oil, and considering the use of a humidifier. Try for short warm showers. Essential to develop healthy habits, such as not sharing facial cosmetics, using gentle skin care products, not over-exfoliating skin, and please don't pick at facial eruptions. Every day, you examine your skin for signs of cancer, any irregular growth, or moles that change in size or color, itch, or bleed.

Dr. Notes:

Hypodermis: Considered to be part of the integumentary system; lies beneath the dermis and connects skin to the underlying fascia of the bones and muscles. Many blood vessels also contain connective and fatty tissues for insulation and cushioning.

Go Go Organic’s Pigmentation:

Differs when it comes to skin and hair color; human veins form a veritable collage when they are gathered together. From the deepest brown to the palest hues, skin color is determined by genetics and UV rays from the sun. I such hair color, which ranges from platinum blond to jet black with browns and auburns in between, is determined by dominant and recessive genes.

Evolution of Skin Color:

Hominids drastically lost their body hair 5 to 7 million years ago, around the time bipedalism emerged. Skin pigmentation first appeared approximately 1.2 million years ago, commonly due to a mega-drought that caused arid conditions and increased exposure to excessive ultraviolet radiation. With the combined benefits of hairlessness, numerous sweet glands, and skin rich in melanin, our early ancestors could walk, run, and search for food under the torrid sun without suffering brain damage. Thus, due to their natural ability to avoid overheating, they gained a unique advantage over other species.

“Our dark-skinned ancestors lived in Africa around 200,000 years ago; in effect, lighter skin tones followed various genetic paths in Europe and East Asian populations”.

Ultraviolet Radiation:

Ultraviolet radiation, commonly known throughout the world, is directly related to the variety of indigenous skin colors found on Earth. Areas with high levels of UVR (Ultraviolet Radiation) typically have darker-skinned populations near the equator, where humans are more likely to reside. Areas further from the tropics, which lie closer to the poles, have lower levels of Radiation. In such cases, lighter-skinned individuals are produced. “According to the leading theory, darker skin tones are believed to protect people from the harmful effects of UVR partially, which can damage and subsequently mutate the DNA of skin cells”.

Females Tones:

Females generally show lighter skin tones than males. In effect, women require more calcium during pregnancy and lactation. Evolution has enabled them to develop lighter skin, allowing them to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight and thereby absorb calcium more effectively.

Genes and Melanin:

Melanin is responsible for hair and skin color, produced by melanocytes, which are found in small, membrane-bound packages called melanosomes. Produces two kinds of melanin, which are Eumelanin and Pheomelanin. Eumelanin is primarily found in dark skin and shades of red, blonde, and brown. Pheomelanin has a pink to red hint, which is seen in red hair and lips, nipples, and the glands of the reproductive parts. Several gene determines the amount and type of melanin generated; thus, some are recessive and others are dominant. Heritable traits can vary.