Understanding Your Skin

Skin connects us to the outside world. It's part of every smile, every handshake, and most importantly, it protects us from the potentially damaging influences of daily life. Your skin is your body's protective covering but it has even more jobs to do as our only external organ. The skin acts as a waterproof, insulating shield, guarding the body against the external temperatures and harmful environment. It also exudes antibacterial substances that prevent infection and manufactures vitamin D for converting calcium into healthy bones. Skin is also a huge sensor packed with nerves for keeping the brain in touch with the outside world. Healthy skin is often viewed as evidence of a healthy body. Serving such important roles, it must be properly protected, nourished and treated.

Anatomy of Skin

The skin has three layers. The skin you see, the outermost layer, is called the epidermis. This consists mainly of cells called keratinocytes, made from the tough protein keratin, also the material in hair and nails. It takes roughly five weeks for newly created cells to work their way to the surface. Skin color is due to melanin, a pigment produced in the epidermis to protect us from the sun's potentially cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) rays.

The epidermis is bonded to a deeper skin layer below known as the dermis. The dermis gives the organ its strength and elasticity thanks to fibers of collagen and elastin. Blood vessels here help regulate body temperature. A network of nerve fibers and receptors pick up feelings such as touch, temperature, and pain, relaying them to the brain. The dermis houses hair follicles and glands with ducts that pass up through the skin. Sweat glands bring down internal temperature through perspiration while ridding the body of the waste fluids urea and lactate. Sebaceous glands secrete oil-like sebum for lubricating the hair and skin.

The skin's base layer is the subcutis, which includes a seam of fat laid down as a fuel reserve in case of food shortage. It also works as insulation and cushions us from falls.

Learn About Skin Conditions and Treatments

As a complex, multi-layered cellular network that undergoes constant renewal, skin requires constant care. We take pride in a full offering of skin care treatments that support skin's health and promote its organ functionality on a daily basis. We have compiled a list of common skin conditions and GLYTONE treatments. Use the left-hand navigation within this "About Your Skin" section to explore these topics in-depth. The pages range from aging skin to hyperpigmentation to skin preparation for peel procedures.

The Expertise Behind the Regimens

Glytone combines cosmetic and pharmaceutical expertise to bring elegantly engineered skincare products to the field of aesthetic dermatology. We offer a unique combination of in-office procedures and at-home skincare treatments to optimize your results. Our products are only available through physician or dermatologist recommendation because we want to ensure your skin is getting the care it deserves. Have your healthcare professional help you determine the best approach to meet your skincare needs, whether your concern is hyperpigmentation or simple maintenance.