10 Bizarre Facts About Your Skin

 Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it goes through some pretty extreme changes to keep you feeling comfortable and looking great all day long. For instance, did you know that your skin...

1) Skin is largest organ of your body

Skin is our largest organ, so it makes sense that there are lots of health issues that affect your skin. Skin problems often result from external negative factors, such as genetic conditions or exposure to harmful chemicals. There’s also a chance that you may suffer from one of these common skin conditions. If you suspect you have any sort of skin disease, check out Skin and Dermatology for some helpful information about Skin Care and common skin conditions.

2) Stratum corneum

Although you might think that your skin consists of one layer—the epidermis—that’s actually far from true. If you put a small sample of skin under a microscope, you’ll see that it’s made up of several different layers (called stratums). The outermost layer, called stratum corneum, is where most of your body heat escapes. What happens to trapped heat?

3) Skin can regenerate itself after injury

Skin has a remarkable ability to heal itself. In fact, you have about two million skin cells per square inch on your body, which can renew themselves every 28 days. While healing from an injury, skin regeneration is accelerated by up to 600 percent in comparison to normal regeneration rates. With skin rejuvenation, dermatologists use lasers or other devices that generate heat energy to speed up cell metabolism, effectively encouraging damaged cells to repair themselves.

4) Heat makes skin cells reproduce faster

When you exercise, your skin is exposed to heat. A 2013 study published in The Journal of Investigative Dermatology suggests that when your body temperature rises, it sends a signal to cells in your body to start reproducing faster. This study found that after one week of exercising at least 30 minutes per day at 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit), skin cell production increased by 23 percent. So if you want to turn back time and make yourself look younger, try exercising regularly.

5) UV radiation from sun damages skin

Ultraviolet light damages skin cells and can lead to skin cancer. This is why you should always use sunscreen during daylight hours. Keep in mind that your car’s sunroof does not protect you from UV radiation, so be careful when driving with it open.

6) Everyone has different skin type and looks

Just because you have dry skin doesn’t mean that your friend with acne-prone skin is going to experience similar problems. You should be attentive to what your own body needs and check in with a doctor if you notice any strange spots or growths on your skin. Understanding how to take care of your skin can help prevent long term issues and infections. Here are 10 bizarre facts about your skin!

7) Some foods are bad for your skin

Eating certain foods can make you look older. For example, dairy products, processed meats and anything with trans fats all accelerate aging by causing wrinkles and age spots, according to dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss of Union Square Laser Dermatology in NYC. When a person starts to get acne, it is almost always associated with diet, she said.

8) Drinking water helps your skin stay moisturized

It’s important to drink water, especially if you live in a dry climate or work in an office with poor air quality. Water helps keep your skin hydrated and plump, making it less prone to wrinkles and fine lines. If you notice wrinkles forming around your eyes or on your forehead, it may be time to up that H20 intake.

9) Smoking dehydrates your skin

It’s true that some smokers are blessed with youthful, glowing skin, but it’s not because of their habit; rather, it’s due to their age. Smoking leads to premature aging, and since younger people tend to have more resilient skin than older people (thanks to collagen production), they tend to look younger. However, smoking causes wrinkles faster than any other factor except sun exposure—and even then, it comes close. Be wary of smoking if you want healthy skin in your later years.

10) Wearing sunscreen every day protects you from damaging effects of the sun

Sunscreen is a must to protect against sunburns and long-term skin damage. Sunburns cause redness and inflammation, while long-term exposure to UVA/UVB rays can increase your risk of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and premature aging. UV rays also cause free radicals to form in your body.