Factors that affect the Skin

SKIN CHARACTERISTICS
Both internal and external factors affect the health and appearance of the skin.

There are many external factors that can affect your skin, but two stand out as the most profound: sun exposure and smoking.

Extremes of weather:

• Hot
• Cold
• Wind chill factor
• Air conditioning
• Central heating

All lead to dehydration and loss of moisture and encourage premature ageing of the skin.

Exposure to sunlight can cause;

• Dehydration
• Loss of moisture,
• Damage to collagen and elastin (fibres harden)
• Loss of skin firmness and muscle tone
• Wrinkles
• Pigmentation problems.

Smoking effects:

• Poor circulation
• Congested blocked pores

Drinking causes:

• Dilated capillaries.
• Alcohol deprives the body of its vitamin reserves, including vitamins B and C, causing dehydration.

Poor skin care routine leads to:

• Dehydration
• Skin sensitivity
• Wrinkles
• Pigmentation problems

Stress can cause:

• Frown lines, wrinkles
• Dark circles
• Dry skin
• Skin sensitivity
• Hormonal imbalances affect moisture content pigmentation and hair growth

Prolonged illness can cause:

• Depletion of subcutaneous fat
• Dehydration
• Wrinkles
• Baggy skin tissues
• Dark circles

A balanced diet is essential to the health and appearance of the skin. Skin needs to be provided with all the essential nutrients to repair itself and to
function properly. Vitamins B, C and E and the minerals zinc and selenium are very important for healthy skin. A lack of physical activity and a poor diet means
enzymes become slow and sluggish and allow toxins to accumulate in the tissues. A vitamin A deficiency can cause hyper-keratinisation. A vitamin B deficiency can cause
cracks at the corner of the mouth. A vitamin C deficiency can cause wounds to heal slowly and premature ageing.