The Skin is First Defense System of the BodyIn order for us to have optimum health we must understand that the skin is the first defense system of the body and needs day-to-day maintenance. As we get older our skin starts to get thinner making good skin health even more important as the thinner the skin the gets the easier for infections to successfully attack the body through the skin. Our immune system has defenders ready to attack and defend against bacteria, microbes and other infections that are trying to get into our body through our nose, mouth, food or water. However, skin is on the front line of this on going war. It is like an envelope that surrounds the body protecting it from infections and other invaders just as an envelope protects a letter from getting torn or dirty.
The body has developed a line of defense, the skin. It acts much like the wall of a fortress.
The skin does not attack specific germs or microbes as does the immune system but it is always on alert to ward off infections that are trying to invade the body. It is there for us all year around 24/7.
There are two key parts of the skins defense system:
THE EPIDERMIS----is made up of many layers of tightly packed cells, that do not allow pathogens to penetrate. It is truly on the front lines of this defense system. There are other cells that are actively patrolling the skin to engulf and digest germs. THE DERMIS -----is located just beneath the epidermis and contains protein fibers call collagen. The collagen gives the skin its strength and pliability which allows it to resist cuts and scratches that would allow germs to get into the skin and cause infections..
The body uses two chemicals as weapons in its arsenal: PERSPIRATION----is secreted by the skin's sweat glands. It contains salt and enzymes which makes it difficult for germs to live on the surface of the skin. Perspiration also contains an enzyme that can destroy the cell walls of bacteria. SEBUM----is secreted by the skin's oil glands. The oil helps keep the skin pliable. It also lowers the pH of the skin to a more acidic level that slows the growth of many types of bacteria. The body does have other defense systems but the skin is the first defense system. It is constructed in such a way that it is ready to protect us from infections immediately. It is our responsibility to keep it healthy and that means we must keep our general health good. Beautiful skin comes from the inside out as well as outside in.
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