The fact of the matter is that caring for your skin is also part of caring for your health. The skin is the body’s largest organ and it does much more than act as our outward expression. Skin protects your body from germs, regulates temperature and helps fight infection. Deeper layers of skin also help cushion bones and muscles from injury and impact.
Your skin’s appearance and health can be related to many other functions of the body. Skin concerns can signal fluctuations in hormones, immune responses to irritants and more. Learn more about skin health and overall health.
Always contact your medical provider for concerns such as:
- Change in size, color, shape or symmetry of a mole.
- Skin changes like a new mole or a patch of unusual color or texture.
- A cut that a household bandage can’t close (that may need stitches).
- Severe, blistering burns.
- Signs of skin infections like red streaks or yellow discharge.
- Unexplained skin rash or skin condition.
Your Skin Communicates For Your Body
When you touch something hot, the nerves in your skin signal your brain to create pain. The jolt of pain is meant to make you stop touching the stove before you cause more damage. Similarly, your skin can also be trying to tell you things are not quite right in the body.
- Skin Tightness, especially when combined with itchiness, can be a sign of irritation. This could be from a fragrance or detergent that doesn’t agree with you, nickel jewelry or any number of other irritants.
- Dehydrated skin can sometimes signal that you’re dehydrated overall. Dehydrated skin can be lax, itchy and dull. It’s not the same dry skin, which is a result of too few oils in your skin barrier.
- Chapped lips that don’t respond to regular moisturizing could be a sign of vitamin deficiency.
Additionally, some health concerns are clearly visible through the skin.
Always contact your doctor if you notice sudden changes in your skin.
Hyperpigmentation and Melasma
Hyperpigmentation is a darkening of parts of the skin beyond its natural color. It is caused when the skin produces an overabundance of melanin. Most commonly, hyperpigmentation presents as sunspots or age spots: flat brown, gray or black spots that are caused by sun exposure and are commonly found on the face, hands, chest and arms.
A specific form of hyperpigmentation called melasma presents as larger patches of darkened skin. Melasma can appear on the forehead, face and stomach when a change in hormones occurs (such as pregnancy or taking birth control pills) or due to sun exposure or even genetics.
Estrogen Deficient Skin
Estrogen Deficient Skin describes visible changes to the skin as a result of declining estrogen levels—most commonly in perimenopause and menopause. EDS can present as:
- Dryness
- Dullness
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Thinner skin
- Decreased elasticity
Women experiencing Estrogen Deficient Skin may feel as if their skin aged dramatically overnight, with a sudden increase in signs of aging.
Acne
While the occasional blemish is not unheard of, persistent acne is an inflammatory disorder of the skin that happens when hair follicles under the skin become clogged. When someone experiences acne, natural oil combines with dead skin and hair follicles to clog pores. These plugs then feed bacteria, leading to redness, swelling and pain.
Acne is a medical condition. Consult with your dermatologist before using any new skincare products.
Skin Health Is Health
Caring for your skin can be about self care, confidence or indulgence, but it can also be about health. Whether you’re taking proper protection against UV damage, whisking away dirt and grime, be sure to take the time to notice what your skin is telling you.
Shop Biopelle’s products to maintain and support healthy skin and defend against future damage.