SKINIPEDIA - Skin Encyclopedia: The Skin Subcutaneous Layer

Skin Physiology 101: A Tour Through the Layers of the Skin (Part 4)

This article brought to you by Michelle Macomber, a San Diego based Aesthetician Par Excellence and the owner of the best facials in San Diego, Surface Esthetics.


The Subcutaneous Layer

The Subcutaneous Layer is composed primarily of fatty (adipose tissue), and acts as a shock absorber. It contains sensory nerves, gives contour and shape to the body, serves as an energy source, and gives skin independence of movement.

Also called the hypodermis, the subcutaneous layer is used primarily for fat storage. As you intrinsically age, you lose fat in the subcutaneous layers of your skin. Loss of fat can result in a hollowed out or gaunt look, especially in the cheek area. For most people this happens very, very gradually over time, however, this process can be significantly sped up by excess sun exposure, extrinsic aging. Every time you expose yourself to UV radiation you exponentially increase the aging process.

Skin care products do not reach the hypodermis. Even prescriptions are designed to enter into the bloodstream that exists at the dermal level. The hypodermis simply exists to cushion the body from external injury.

Figure 5 - A Cross Section of the Skin- Subcutaneous Tissue
at the Bottom of the Diagram

Now that we have all that Biology under our belt, here is what you need to know:

• The epidermis is designed to constantly keratinize, or shed.
• Routine exfoliation, using Alphahydroxy Acids (AHA’s) or enzymes, is needed in order to get healthy, new epidermal cells.

Internal structures cannot feed the epidermal tissue to make up for lost moisture. It is essential to use a moisturizer in order to replace missing moisture, and bind existing water molecules.

• When skin cells are irritated, it causes a cellular reaction that can lead to hyperpigmentation, or scarring for darker skin types.

• It is impossible for any topical collagen, including moisturizer, to reach the dermal level and regenerate collagen. The use of pure essential oils in skin care products can provide a variety of benefits, if used effectively.

• Products	Treatments
  Emulsion Concentrate by YonKa Lotion PS by YonKa Lotion PNG by Yonka	Acne compress, firming, calming Calming, hydration, reduce redness Control oil, firming, hydration

• Despite aging, the skin retains its ability to protect the body from environmental contaminants. The Subcutaneous Layer is composed primarily of fatty (adipose tissue), and acts as a shock absorber.

  It contains sensory nerves, gives contour and shape to the body, serves as an energy source, and gives skin independence of movement. Prescriptions are designed to enter into the bloodstream that exists at the dermal level and do not enter the subcutaneous layer.
  
  

  Skin Physiology 101 by Michelle Macomber

  SKINIPEDIA, your Skin Encyclopedia

  SKINIPEDIA provided by Surface Esthetics of San Diego, CA