The skin: multifunction organ with demands
Our skin covers an area of about 5 to 6.5 square feet depending on how big we are. It weighs around 7 to 20 lbs. It is the largest human organ.
The list of the skin’s tasks is long: as a sensory organ, it provides us with important information about cold and heat, touch or pain. Its protective function safeguards us against external influences such as germs, mechanical injuries or UV radiation. Furthermore, it is a reservoir for nutrients and water. It excretes waste products in the sweat and, as a positive, incidental consequence, also regulates body temperature. How does it do all this? A look inside reveals its anatomy and its remarkable function.
Effective three-layer coverage
The skin consists of three layers. Each layer fulfills its very own special tasks.
The protective shield under constant stress
Healthy skin is elastic, smooth and hard-wearing. As the saying goes, we feel comfortable in our own skin. But many factors stress our largest organ. In winter, it’s the combination of the cold outdoors and the dry, heated air indoors, while in summer, it’s extensive sun exposure. Direct skin contact with aggressive cleaning agents or frequent showers are a burden on the skin. This stops the skin from binding to sufficient moisture and oils. The skin grows dry, is tight and feels like parchment. The barrier function also suffers and the skin easily falls prey to damaging influences. It needs our support to retain its full functionality.
How to keep your skin smooth and healthy
What help is there for dry skin? The right care! This starts with daily washing. Ideally, showers should be short and not too hot. Mild shower gels or oils are suitable as a body wash. And even if you find it difficult: long soothing soaks in the tub are not a good idea, as they dry the skin out too much. After cleansing the skin, it is best to care for your face and body with a lotion or cream. The care products should be suited to the individual skin type. We differentiate here between normal, oily, dry to very dry and sensitive skin.
Rich, moisturizing products are recommended for dry skin. Here, age plays a role too, because the skin grows thinner and thinner over the years. The sebaceous glands and the outer layer no longer work as efficiently and the skin dries out. Besides the right skin care, your diet can also influence the condition of your skin – both positively and negatively. Since the skin requires plenty of nutrients, a poor complexion can be a sign of dietary deficiency. So, the same generally applies to the skin as to the whole body: a varied and balanced diet is very important. This includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, milk and wholemeal products, fish and little meat.
Extra tip: drink plenty of fluids! By drinking enough water, we help our skin fill its fluid storage reservoir. You should drink about one and a half to two liters per day. And finally, regular physical exercise, plenty of sleep and less stress promotes a healthy complexion.
Skin care products from medi®
Since patients with venous disease and edema often have sensitive skin, medi offers a special care range, which is also suitable for very sensitive skin. The high-quality ingredients are matched to the needs of patients with venous and edematous disorders, who wear compression stockings. The soothing care for the skin and the feet pampers the skin, refreshes it and supplies it with moisture. Positive side-effect: damage to the stockings by dry or cracked skin can be avoided. The daytime care gel refreshes the skin and the night-time care helps the skin regenerate.
Care for stressed skin
If you wear compression stockings, you should only use products that are specially matched to your compression garments. With the medi skin care range, you can be certain that only tried-and-tested and high-quality, active ingredients are used that do not damage the stocking. Furthermore, always check the use by date.
