Sneak peak into our Health and Safety Chapter for Microdermabrasion – Skin Anatomy

Younger skin forms lipids which keep skin moisturized and prevents wrinkled skin. It rejuvenates quickly to create a smooth youthful glow. As we age, the skin rejuvenation process slows down.  Older skin tends to be thin, damaged and dries quickly.

The top five layers of skin are called the epidermis. The epidermis keeps the skin healthy. It consists of shedding dead cells and quickly rejuvenation cells. The thickness of the epidermis varies in different areas. It is the thinnest on the eyelids and thickest on our palms (Anton, Chris, McClellan, Debbie, Lousisi, Barbara, 2018). From bottom to the top the layers are named:

1. Stratum Basale
2. Stratum Spinosum
3. Stratum Granulosum
4. Stratum Lucidum
5. Stratum Corneum

The Anatomy of the Skin

The top layer of the epidermis is made up of dead skin cells which shed every 3-4 weeks. Skin cells divide and push formed cells from the bottom Stratum Basale into higher layers. As the cells move into the higher layers, they flatten and die.

Underneath the epidermis is the upper part of the dermal layers called the papillary dermis.The dermis contains many specialized cells and structure. The dermal layers of the skin consist of blood vessels, sweat glands, oil gland, nerves, hair follicles, skin tissue, collagen and elastin. The blood vessels carry oxygen to parts of our body while the old gland produce serum which rises to the surface and lubricates the skin (Anton, Chris, McClellan, Debbie, Lousisi, Barbara, 2018).

The upper papillary layer contains an arrangement of fibers.  Collagen and elastin are proteins that help to maintain the skins firmness and elasticity. The lower, reticular layer is thicker and made of collagen fibers that are arranged parallel to the surface of the skin.