7 Surprising Things You Probably Don’t Know About Your Skin
How well do you know your skin? Sure, you probably know your skin has pores and that you should wear sunscreen to protect from skin cancer. For most of us, that’s the extent of our skin knowledge. Turns out that there’s a lot more to know: Dr. Pancholi has his own insider info on skincare and has put together this list of skin facts that might surprise you—and help you take better care of your skin.
1. Your skin is 16% of your body weight
At 22 square feet, your skin is your body’s largest organ and it weighs a lot! An estimated 16 percent of your body’s weight comes directly from the skin. It weighs this much because skin is more than a surface. The epidermis is the outermost skin layer you can see, but the next layer, the dermis, is responsible for 90 percent of the skin’s thickness. There is also a third inner layer, the subcutis, comprised of fat and collagen cells.
2. Your skin sheds 40,000 cells every minute
Yes, you read that right: the skin sheds up to 40,000 cells every minute. Even so, regular exfoliating treatments are important. Exfoliating the skin sloughs off dead surface skin cells revealing the younger, healthier skin underneath. However, too much exfoliation can be a problem, so don’t over do it. When it doubt, seek professional treatment or advice from a licensed aesthetician.
3. Sleeping on your pillow the wrong way can lead to wrinkles
Yes, this really is true! If you faithfully sleep on one side of your body, you’re at increased risk for developing wrinkles on that side of your face. Called “sleep lines,” these wrinkles occur when you press your face against the pillow. Can’t sleep on your back? Switch to a satin pillowcase that won’t crunch the skin and cause sleep lines.
4. Yoga may help tired skin
Stress can speed up the aging process if you unconsciously frown, squint, or furrow your brow when feeling stressed out. Chronic stress can exacerbate wrinkles when the muscles in your face begin to conform to those unattractive movements. Experts recommend regular yoga and meditation to relieve stress and naturally relax the face.
5. Over-washing your face can strip essential moisture
We often hear about the importance of washing your face regularly. But don’t be overzealous about your skincare regimen. Washing or cleansing your face more than twice a day can dry out even the most oily skin. Use a gentle cleanser and stick to washing no more than once in the morning and once at night to preserve the important oils in your skin.
6. Too much sun can make you look old
You’ve likely heard how important it is to use sunscreen to reduce skin cancer risks, but did you know it can significantly slow down the aging process? “Intrinsic aging” is the medical term for the natural aging process. “Extrinsic aging” is caused by environmental factors and lifestyle choices like spending too much time in the sun. Unprotected skin is prone to skin discoloration and age spots; facial skin can become dry and leathery, leading to premature wrinkles and sagging. To keep your skin looking young, wear protective clothing and sunscreen—even on cloudy days.
7. Scars occur when the dermis is damaged
Scar collagen is different from normal skin collagen. This means that even though your skin is shedding up to 40,000 cells every minute, scar collagen can take a long time to heal. Some scars fade naturally over time, but not as quickly as many of us would like. Special skincare treatments, like the Obagi Blue Peel, help speed the process by removing the outermost layers of skin while stimulating collagen production and new skin formation. This is especially helpful for acne scars, with the added bonus of reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Dr. Pancholi offers several skin treatments to help your skin look its best, including medical-grade skincare products like Obagi-C RX and Tretinoin. Find out which treatments are right for you at a personalized consultation. We can help you learn all about your skin and how to keep it fresh and firm for years to come.
