The Skin
1BChapter 2— The Truth About Acne 25
Chapter 2— The Truth About Acne
The Skin
The skin is the largest organ of our body and one of the seven channels of elimination containing about 70 % water, 25 % protein and 2 % lipids. It helps the main organs of elimination( liver, kidneys, intestines) get rid of waste buildup.
The uppermost layer of the skin is called the epidermis. The deeper layer is called the dermis, and this contains collagen and elastin which keep the skin flexible and firm. The dermis also contains sebaceous glands, sweat glands, lymph vessels, hair follicles and nerves.
Beneath the dermis lies a tissue of fat cells.
Infection can occur when the exfoliation process( the renewal of cells when they shed to make room for new ones) slows down and your skin pores get blocked.
When toxins( usually stored in the deepest layer of fat cells) find their way to a blocked skin surface, it can lead to acne.
Infection can also occur when one damages the acidic layer of the skin using harsh products or over-abrasive cleansing. This acidic layer of the skin, often referred to as the acid mantle, contains sweat and sebum( oil) and should have a normal pH of 4-5. When you use harsh products like soaps( with a pH of more than 4-5), this acid mantle is destroyed, making the skin more prone to infection.
However, infection alone is not the cause of acne. The skin, the reflection of our inner system and our health, becomes prone to acne because of a deeper combination of factors.
The truth is that the body has an amazing natural ability to cleanse and heal itself. Our task is to allow this to happen, but not through external and temporary methods that only mask the symptoms.
2003- 201 2 A c ne N o M or e- M ik e W a l d en- Page 25