Waverley Magazine Issue 1 2014 | Page 8

the skin

If your thinking of becoming a beauty therapists or makeup artist, an understanding of the skin is one of the most important factors you will need to know in order to be great at what you do. So here is a brief introduction to one of the most fascinating organs of your body. The Skin.

 

2 sq Metres

Did you know the average adult body contains 2sq metres of skin when laid out flat. Enough for a sheet on a double bed with some left over for pillow cases. Yes the skin is a fascinating organ with more than 30 million nerve endings that perform thousands of functions every day. In fact, think for a minute what would happen if you were stripped of your skin. Well in the minute it would take you to think, you would almost certainly be dead.

 

Different Layers

When viewed under a microscope the skin would look like a slice of cake with 2 main layers, the epidermis and the dermis. Each layer contains living breathing tissue which integrate with other parts of our bodily systems to provide protection and relay messages to our brain. It carries out functions such as temperature control, touch, protection and feedback to our body via the sensory nerves and nervous system.

 

 

New Skin Every Month

And guess what, the skin renews itself every month. Yes its top layer sheds itself (called skin shedding) every month and creates a new layer. In fact this happening while you are reading this article and in the average lifetime you will produce about one thousand new skins

 

 

Why Is It Relevant To Training As a Beauty Therapist Or Makeup Artist

So why is good knowledge of the skin relevant to the beauty therapist or makeup artist?. Why do you need a good understanding of the skin and its workings?

Well despite its genius, the skin is incredibly delicate and sensitive. It is also prone to diseases and disorders so it is vital that a beauty therapist or makeup artist has a good understanding of the workings of the skin and the factors which can effect it. Don't forget, you will be applying products, and carrying out massage of the skin. So you will need to make sure that you take care and attention so as enhance the skins appearance, and not cause any adverse reactions or damage.

 

Other Important Factors You Will Need To Know About The Skin

Other important factors you will need to know about the skin if you want to become a great beauty therapist or makeup artist include:

Different skin types and skin tones

Health and hygiene related to the skin

Different products that can enhance the skins appearance

Homecare advice for great looking skin

 

 

Some Final Facts About The Skin

 

Sheds 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells every minute of every day, approx 3 to 4Kg every year.

 

19 million skin cells on every square inch of the body.

 

45 miles of nerves in our skin that can send messages at almost 250 miles per hour.

 

In our lifetime our body sheds enough skin cells to fill an entire 2 storey house.

 

70% of dust in your home consists of human skin cells.

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