Anatomy of Skin
	Each layer of the human skin is distinct and has a specific function. The top layer of the skin, the epidermis, is composed of 5 sub-layers and is responsible for protecting the body from environmental elements. It is composed of two primary types of cells. Keratinocytes make up 90% of the epidermis and are responsible for waterproofing the skin and protecting us from heat, microbes, and chemicals. Melanocytes compose 8% of the epidermis and are responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that determines skin color and protects us from the sun. The 5 sub layers range from the underlying Stratum basale, where new skin cells are born, to the Stratum Corneum, the outermost layer of dead and dying skin cells. The stratum Corneum is particularly important because it is responsible for maintaining the acid mantle. Beneath the epidermis lies the dermis. The dermis is composed mainly of collagen (the glue) and elastin (the fibrous protein). These two components help to give our skin its feel and texture. The dermis contains pain and touch receptors and many of our functional glands - sweat glands, hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are responsible for producing the oil that moisturizes our skin. Overactive sebaceous glands are one of the primary causes of acne. The dermis also contains blood vessels that provide nutrients to the skin and millions of sensory receptors that recognize pain, pressure and temperature.   pH and the Acid Mantle

The term pH stands for the “potential of Hydrogen”. It is a measure of the Hydrogen ion concentration of a substance. The Hydrogen ion concentration is more commonly referred to as the acidity or alkalinity level. The more acidity in the substance, the lower the pH, the less acidity, the higher the pH. There are differing values of pH in the body depending on what function is being performed. For example, the pH of the stomach is very acidic, around 1, because stomach acids help break down the foods we eat. Our saliva and blood, on the other hand, are much closer to neutral. Neutral substances, like water, have a pH of 7. A pH above 7 is considered alkaline (less acidic), and a pH below 7 is considered acidic.

The acid mantle is a thin oily film that sits on top of the outmost layer of our skin. For most people, the pH of the acid mantle is about 4.5 to 5.5. Why is our skin naturally acidic at the surface? Our slightly acidic skin helps to fight off harmful bacteria. Many of the contaminants that might enter our skin, such as chemicals from the atmosphere and harmful bacteria, are alkaline in nature (i.e., they have a pH of higher than 7). Our skin’s natural acidity neutralizes these chemicals and bacteria, much the same way the milk of magnesia neutralizes stomach acid when we have heartburn. Neutralizing these harmful contaminants is part of the body’s defense system. Maintaining the skin pH at the proper level is vital to protecting ourselves from harmful bacteria which can lead to acne, infection, or irritation.

Most of us use soap and water to clean our faces without realizing that this may not be beneficial to us. Soapy water is highly alkaline (with a pH of 12, see chart) while our skin is naturally acidic (with a pH of approximately 5). Soapy water is commonly used to clean our faces because it removes the natural oils from the skin. While this leaves our skin with that “clean feeling,” soap is actually neutralizing our skins acid pH thereby stripping away our natural defense systems. Particularly for those of us that wash our faces 2, 3, or 4 times a day because of a problem condition like acne, stripping away the acid mantle can actually worsen our condition. Similarly it is important for us to know the pH of any cleansers, moisturizers, makeup and other products we use so that we don’t remove the protective oils and acid mantle from our skin. 

Life Cycle of Skin

Our skin changes as we age. A baby's skin has a much thicker fat layer and a much thinner epidermis. Babies have smooth, soft skin partly because they have a much higher percentage of hyaluronic acid, a compound capable of retaining 1000x its weight in water. In addition, babies regenerate the stratum corneum (the outermost layer where new skin cells are formed) in as little as 14 days. This same regeneration process takes up to 37 days in a 50 year old.

As our skin ages, it loses much of the underlying tissue that made it so soft and supple as a child. Over time, collagen (the “glue” that holds elastin together) is depleted from the dermis. Collagen depletion makes our skin thinner and less supple and causes skin to sag and lose its resiliency. In addition, as we age, decreased blood flow to our skin results in slower healing. Finally, for post menopausal women, skin produces less protective oils so our skin dries out more easily.  

Skin Fitness - How we can help

Body Focus understands how your skin is affected by age and environmental factors. We have specific solutions for the changes that occur as your skin ages. A healthy skin fitness regimen (daily skin care products) as well as corrective skin care treatments can help slow and even reverse your skin’s natural aging process.

Body Focus has chosen a skin care line that is specifically formulated to help preserve, replenish and maintain the proper pH of the acid mantle of the skin. By matching the natural pH of the skin, our skin care products increase the skin’s natural ability to fight harmful bacteria and other air born contaminants.

One primary benefit of using this daily skin regimen is that it shortens the exfoliation period for the stratum corneum (the layer where new skin cells are produced). Increasing the cell turnover rate of the stratum corneum keeps our skin “working” - similar to the way a fitness program at the gym keeps our muscles toned. This process also decreases the risk of acne as hair follicles are less likely to become plugged with dead skin cells. Proper use of our skin care products will keep your skin pH balanced to fight off bacteria, and speed the exfoliation process to give you smoother, more even textured skin.

In addition to a daily skin fitness program, Body Focus also offers non-invasive medical treatments to combat and reverse the signs of aging. Using the latest technology, we have the ability to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, improve age spots and other types of pigmented lesions, and decrease facial redness. We also combine prescription skin care with our therapy to treat some of the most stubborn skin conditions such as acne and melasma.  With our program we can help you redevelop collagen and maximize your skin's fitness appeal!