ABOUT HEALTH
The skin’s enemies
As you may know, many factors affect the skin and may lead to its premature ageing.
- Sunlight (UVA and UVB rays)
- Climate (air, rain, cold...)
- Toxins (environmental pollution, chemicals, nicotine, alcohol...)
- Household appliances (air-conditioning, heaters, computers...)
- Stress (conflict, tension, dissatisfaction, insomnia...)
- Improper nutrition (inadequate cooking, irregular meals, inadequate diet...)
- Inadequate skin care
Sunlight
Sunlight, or more specifically UV radiation, is one of the skin’s most dangerous enemies. However much we love sunbathing, we must remember that excessive exposure to sunshine causes:
- Sunburn and swelling
- Freckles and scars
- The premature appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Loss of humidity and flakiness
- Loss of elasticity
- Rapidly ageing skin
- A higher risk of skin cancer
UVA and UVB rays are the main causes of these harmful consequences! Therefore, prevention and adequate protection are vital to our skin’s health!
Children are particularly at risk
Children are particularly at risk to the damaging effects of sunlight, because their skin is so tender and sensitive. Experts have estimated that children are exposed to 3 times more UV radiation during the year than adults.
Often their skin is poorly protected from the sunlight.
UV light from artificial light sources (for instance, halogen and fluorescent bulbs or computer screens) can also cause damage and premature skin ageing.
Climate
Our skin is affected daily by modern household appliances and the increasing pollution in the environment.
Air-conditioning, heaters, dry indoor air, smoking and pollution:
- Stimulate the production of free radicals.
- Cause the skin to dry and become flaky.
- Cause the skin to age faster.
Stress, toxins, environmental pollution, cigarette smoke and alcohol attack the human body and the skin becomes:
- Dull and wrinkled.
- Dry and dehydrated.
- Irritated, with acne.
- More sensitive and allergic.
Only adequate care can protect our skin and prevent harmful consequences!
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Skin Ageing
Skin ageing is not only the consequence of the passing of time; it is also caused by damaging factors in our environment.
How does our skin age?
- First fine lines appear.
- The skin loses its firmness, and fine lines grow deeper and finally turn into wrinkles.
- The skin loses its elasticity and youthful appearance.
We are aware of the fact that skin ageing cannot be stopped, but it can certainly be slowed down and postponed!
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20’ s
The first visible changes appear on the skin in one’s twenties. First, fine lines begin to form as a consequence of various muscle movements and around the eyes, from speaking, laughing, frowning...
- The collagen and elastin content (that kept the skin supple) starts to gradually decrease in the skin.
The skin already needs help. Effective moisturising products for the skin are required.
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30’ s
The first visible signs of damage appear on the skin in one’s thirties. How is this manifested?
- Wrinkles, caused by sunlight, start to form.
- The skin loses more elasticity due to its decreasing collagen and elastin content.
The skin now needs to be treated with proper revitalisation products.
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40’ s
Skin changes are more prominent in one’s forties. This is “the dry skin decade”. What actually happens during these years?
With people in their forties:
- The accumulation of dead skin cells intensifies.
- Darker patches may appear.
- Fine lines become more distinct.
What assistance does the skin require at this stage of life?
It requires special products for skin regeneration.
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50’ s
One’s fifties are a period when skin ageing is becoming increasingly more visible. It is especially noticeable in people who did not regularly use quality products for protection against sunlight.
With people in their fifties:
- Wrinkles are deeper, age spots appear and dilated capillaries are more visible.
- The skin becomes even drier.
Special products to fight skin ageing are recommended for this age group.
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The Menopause
Menopause is a specific period of life. There is an important decrease in the production of hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) that ceases altogether in one’s fifties.
In this period, the skin ageing process accelerates:
- The skin dries, becomes more sensitive and loses elasticity and glow
- Wrinkles deepen and skin changes on the neck are more visible
The skin needs cosmetic products to restore the natural balance and to revitalise the skin.
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60’ s
In one’s sixties, the skin stabilises after the menopauseinduced hormonal imbalance.
- Wrinkles, veins and dark spots are a normal occurrence, but are less visible if the skin is regularly protected against sunlight.
At this stage of life, the skin requires anti-ageing and reparative products.
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It is true that wrinkles and other unwanted consequences are inevitable as we get older. Ageing is a completely natural process, but to age and look good is a different matter altogether!
What we look like at each stage in our lives is entirely up to us! Or to be more specific, it depends on what attention we give to our skincare and what cosmetic products we use for that purpose.
Zepter Cosmetics offers the right solutions for everyone, regardless of age, skin type or other specific issues! One thing is certain, we can always make ourselves more beautiful and attractive. We only need to want this to happen. Well, if that’s the case, let’s do it. But, let us start right away. Zepter Cosmetics provide ideal solutions for beauty and happier living. Every year can be the best year with Zepter Cosmetics!
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The skin - The most extensive organ
of our body
Our desire and need to care for and beautify our bodies are as old as civilisation itself. Although the technologies and body care products have changed over time, the aspiration for beauty and perfection has become a constant need of ours an everlasting challenge and, perhaps, the strongest inspiration.
Today, cosmetology has been recognised as a scientific discipline that introduces us to the general culture of body and spirit care, an examination and acknowledgement of our personality and basic requirements for living happily.
For us to take good care of our bodies, we have to know at least the basic characteristics of skin.
Skin is the biggest organ of the human body. Skin makes direct contact with the outside world for us. Actually, skin enables us to sense the world. But it also brings out whatever is inside us, because it also mirrors our emotions. It shows us whether or not we are living in harmony with nature, our environment and ourselves.In other words, skin is the soul’s mirror. It has a ’’reliable memory’’ and all the stories that are our life are written on it.
The skin tells more about us than we are willing to admit. When we treat our skin well, we are also treating our soul well. Our skin, like our soul, asks for gentle loving touches. So we can say that regular and correct skin care is a therapy for the soul.
Here are several basic facts about human skin:
- An adult’s skin surface is 1.5-2 square metres.
- About 2 billion cells are constantly renewed through natural exfoliation.
- 300 million new cells replace old (dead) cells every day.
- Water accounts for about 70% of skin mass.
- Human skin completely renews itself every 27 days.
The skin’s main tasks
Skin is indispensable if the human body is to function correctly. It is the body’s first defence barrier. In short, we could name the basic tasks of skin:
Skin is the interface between our body and the outside world.
The skin’s mission consists of:
- Protecting the body against external factors (sunlight, wind and pollution).
- Maintaining body temperature, in cold and warm conditions.
One of the skin’s most important tasks is to protect the body by:
- Preventing dehydration
- Reducing risks of bacterial infection
- Protecting against UV rays
Another one of the skin’s major tasks is the exchange of substances with the environment. How does this exchange process work?
- Skin breathes through the pores and supplies internal cells with oxygen, water and minerals from the outside world. Some harmful products of metabolism are secreted through the skin (by sweating).
Therefore it is important that you clean your skin properly every day, so that it can maintain its balance and prevent premature ageing.
One of the skin’s important tasks is to regulate other processes in the body.
- Skin produces vitamin D, which is important for the growth and calcification of the bones.
Also, skin is a mediator in information exchange. It sends information to the brain via 500 nerve receptors in each square metre of skin. Accordingly we can touch and feel pain, pressure, cold...
We have to protect the skin to enable it to perform its duties optimally. The skin cannot protect itself against external factors (sunlight, wind, pollution). Therefore we recommend quality cosmetic products for skincare!
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Skin structure
Skin acts as an envelope for our body. It consists of three layers:
- The epidermis
- The dermis
- The hypodermis
Each layer of skin is important to the overall health and beauty of your skin.
Epidermis
The epidermis is the thinnest layer of skin which is in direct contact with the world. It consists of several layers of cells. Surface layers are composed of cells which die and are continuously renewed.
For the skin to function properly, the epidermis has to be renewed continuously. New cells are created in the basal layer of the epidermis and move towards the surface. The epidermis is completely renewed in 4 to 6 weeks.
Dermis
The dermis is the layer of skin and supporting tissue underneath the epidermis. Fibroblasts, the specialised dermis cells, produce collagen, elastin fibres and proteins, such as hyaluronic acid.
The basic function of the dermis is to help to maintain the volume and the firmness of the skin. The dermis supports blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles and sweat glands.
Collagen
The Collagen “cements” the dermis by giving it consistence. It hydrates the skin and gives it firmness, resistance and improves its power of regeneration.
Elastin
The Elastin gives skin suppleness and elasticity. The amount of elastin in the skin is reduced with time and it completely disappears after 45 years of age.
Hyaluronic acid helps and encourages skin hydration.
Blood vessels ensure the circulation of basic nutritive elements (oxygen, proteins...) and lymphocytes, which are important to the immune system.
Hypodermis
The Hypodermis is a subcutaneous tissue consisting of adipose cells.
- Accumulation of fat in these cells leads to the formation of cellulite. Today, nearly 90% of women have problems with cellulite to a varying degree. They say that fashion models account for the remaining ten percent. An increasing number of men are also facing the same problem.
- As we age, the hypodermis becomes thinner, the skin sags and wrinkles appear
Skin types
Science has explained almost everything that happens on and inside the skin. So today, there are no secrets to skincare. It is a matter of whether we are willing to apply what science has proved.
We should first define our skin type. Accomplishing beauty depends on the application of suitable cosmetic preparations. I believe that everyone already knows their own skin type, but I will briefly remind you of the basic characteristics of certain skin types.
Normal skin:
- Is firm, smooth and supple, with an even texture.
- Has invisible pores, the skin surface is smooth and there are no visible defects.
Oily skin:
- Is excessively shiny, especially the forehead, nose and chin (the so-called T-area).
- Presents an uneven texture and the pores are dilated (sometimes with blackheads).
Dry skin:
- Is fragile, sensitive, lacking in radiance, and often too taught.
- Is easily dehydrated, flaky and lacks suppleness.
Combination skin:
- Is oily in T-area.
- Is normal or dry on the rest of the face.
Each skin type requires specific care! Naturally, they need appropriate high-quality cosmetic products.
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EPIDERMIS
DERMIS
HYPODERMIS
HYALURONIC
BLOOD VESSELS
COLLAGEN
ELASTIN
Normal skin Oily skin
Dry skin Combination skin
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