Healthy Skin, Hair, and Nails Your skin serves as a physical barrier between the outside world and your internal organs. You must protect your skin by washing it and keeping it free of dirt, bacteria, and perspiration.

Lesson Objectives In this lesson, you’ll learn to: Examine the structure of the skin. Identify the functions of the skin. Examine the effects of health behaviors on skin, hair, and nails. Relate the importance of recognizing warning signs that lead to the early detection of skin diseases and prompt individuals of all ages to seek health care.

Structure and Function of the Skin Structure of the Skin

Structure and Function of the Skin Layers of the Skin The two main layers of the skin: Epidermis: Its top layer consists of dead cells and deeper layers contain living cells that are continually dividing. Dermis: It is a single, thick layer composed of connective tissue, which gives the skin elasticity. The epidermis and the dermis are attached to bones and muscles by the subcutaneous layer.

Structure and Function of the Skin Epidermis Certain cells in the epidermis make a substance called keratin, a protein that toughens nails. These cells also produce lipids, which make your skin waterproof. Other cells produce melanin. The more the melanin, the darker the skin.

Structure and Function of the Skin Dermis Sebaceous glands are found in the dermis. Blood vessels in the dermis supply cells with oxygenated blood and nutrients and facilitate the removal of cellular wastes. Sweat glands produce perspiration on the surface of the skin.

Healthy Skin Ways to Keep Your Skin Healthy Wash your face every morning and evening with mild soap and water. Avoid touching your face with your hands. Follow a well-balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Carefully choose personal skin care products to help keep your skin from becoming irritated.

Healthy Skin Skin and the Sun When skin is exposed to UV rays, whether from the sun, a tanning booth, or another source, melanin production is increased. Prolonged exposure to UV rays damages the genetic material in skin cells and causes it to undergo changes. Exposure to UV radiation is the leading cause of certain types of skin cancer.

Healthy Skin Protecting Your Skin from UV Rays Use an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Wear hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants to prevent sun exposure. Don’t forget your sunglasses. Avoid outdoor activities when sunlight is most intense, between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Healthy Skin Body Piercing and Tattooing Body piercing and tattooing result in the physical barrier of the skin being broken, so the possibility of bacteria or viruses entering the body increases. If nonsterile needles are used for tattooing, they can transfer bacteria and blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. A tattoo can be removed by a laser procedure. However, the procedure can cause skin discoloration and infection and can leave scars.

Healthy Skin Common Skin Problems Acne Warts Vitiligo Boils Moles

Healthy Skin Acne Acne is caused when pores in the skin get clogged and the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands cannot reach the skin’s surface. Washing your face gently twice a day, applying over-the-counter treatment creams, and avoiding the use of oily products can help control breakouts. Touching and picking at the acne only aggravates the condition and may cause scarring.

Healthy Skin Warts Warts are caused by a virus that infects the surface layers of the skin. They are usually noncancerous growths that can appear anywhere on the body. The virus that causes warts can be acquired through contact with infected skin.

Healthy Skin Vitiligo Vitiligo is a skin condition in which patches of skin have lost all pigment. With no melanin, these patches of skin are extremely susceptible to burning when exposed to UV light. Sunscreen should be applied or protective clothing should be worn to avoid severe sunburn.

Healthy Skin Boils Boils form when hair follicles become infected with bacteria that are normally found on the surface of the skin. Treatment can include draining the pus and taking a course of antibiotics. Never squeeze or burst a boil because this can spread the infection. Keeping skin clean can help prevent boils.

Healthy Skin Moles Moles are spots that contain extra melanin. Certain types of moles may develop into melanoma, which can be deadly. Early detection and treatment are critical to controlling the spread of skin cancer throughout the body.

Healthy Skin The ABCDs of Melanoma

Your Hair A Closer Look at Hair Except for the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet, you have hair on almost every skin surface. Living cells in the epidermis make new hairs and cause hair growth. Hair grows out of hair follicles. Hair helps protect the skin, especially the scalp, from exposure to UV radiation. The foundation of healthy hair is a well-balanced diet. Hair can become thin and dry without proper nutrients.

Your Hair Tips for Healthy Hair The foundation of healthy hair is a well-balanced diet. Regular shampooing is a must to keep your hair healthy. Daily brushing keeps dirt from building up and helps distribute the natural hair oils evenly. Limit the use of treatments such as permanents, dyes, or bleach.

Your Hair Hair Problems Dandruff can usually be treated by washing hair with an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo. Head lice are tiny parasitic insects that live in the scalp hair of humans. These insects can be eliminated by washing hair with a medicated shampoo that kills the organisms.

Your Nails Grooming Your Nails Nails function to protect and support the tissues of the fingers and toes. Good care includes keeping nails clean and evenly trimmed. Trim toenails straight across and just slightly above skin level to reduce the risk of infection and ingrown nails.

Quick Review Choose the appropriate option. Q. Melanin, which gives the skin, hair, and iris of the eyes their color, is located in the ______. dermis 2. epidermis sebaceous glands 4. hair follicles

Quick Review - Answer A. Melanin, which gives the skin, hair, and iris of the eyes their color, is located in the epidermis. Click Next to attempt another question.

Q. Define the terms epidermis and dermis. Quick Review Provide a short answer to the question given below. Q. Define the terms epidermis and dermis. Click Next to view the answer.

Quick Review - Answer A. The epidermis is the outer, thinner layer of the skin, composed of living and dead cells. The dermis is the thicker layer of skin beneath the epidermis, made up of connective tissue and containing blood vessels and nerves. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review Provide a short answer to the question given below. Q. Why is early detection of skin cancer important to your overall health? Click Next to view the answer.

Quick Review - Answer A. Early detection of skin cancer is critical to controlling its spread throughout the body. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review Provide suitable examples. Consider your daily activities in the sun. Compose a list of ways you can protect your skin from the sun for each activity.

Quick Review - Answer A. Correct! Melanin, which gives the skin, hair, and iris of the eyes their color, is located in the epidermis. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.

Structure and Function of the Skin Layers of the Skin The two main layers of the skin: Epidermis: Its top layer consists of dead cells and deeper layers contain living cells that are continually dividing. Dermis: It is a single, thick layer composed of connective tissue, which gives the skin elasticity. The epidermis and the dermis are attached to bones and muscles by the subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is the outer, thinner layer of the skin that is composed of living and dead cells.

Structure and Function of the Skin Layers of the Skin The two main layers of the skin: Epidermis: Its top layer consists of dead cells and deeper layers contain living cells that are continually dividing. Dermis: It is a single, thick layer composed of connective tissue, which gives the skin elasticity. The epidermis and the dermis are attached to bones and muscles by the subcutaneous layer. The dermis is the thicker layer of the skin beneath the epidermis that is made up of connective tissue and contains blood vessels and nerves.

Structure and Function of the Skin Epidermis Certain cells in the epidermis make a substance called keratin, a protein that toughens nails. These cells also produce lipids, which make your skin waterproof. Other cells produce melanin. The more the melanin, the darker the skin. Melanin is a pigment that gives the skin, hair, and iris of the eyes their color.

Structure and Function of the Skin Dermis Sebaceous glands are found in the dermis. Blood vessels in the dermis supply cells with oxygenated blood and nutrients and facilitate the removal of cellular wastes. Sweat glands produce perspiration on the surface of the skin. Sebaceous glands are structures within the skin that produce an oily secretion called sebum.

Structure and Function of the Skin Dermis Sebaceous glands are found in the dermis. Blood vessels in the dermis supply cells with oxygenated blood and nutrients and facilitate the removal of cellular wastes. Sweat glands produce perspiration on the surface of the skin. Sweat glands are structures within the dermis that secrete perspiration through ducts to pores on the skin’s surface.

Healthy Skin Moles Moles are spots that contain extra melanin. Certain types of moles may develop into melanoma, which can be deadly. Early detection and treatment are critical to controlling the spread of skin cancer throughout the body. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer.

Your Hair A Closer Look at Hair Except for the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet, you have hair on almost every skin surface. Living cells in the epidermis make new hairs and cause hair growth. Hair grows out of hair follicles. Hair helps protect the skin, especially the scalp, from exposure to UV radiation. The foundation of healthy hair is a well-balanced diet. Hair can become thin and dry without proper nutrients. A hair follicle is a structure that surrounds the root of a hair.

Your Hair Hair Problems Dandruff can usually be treated by washing hair with an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo. Head lice are tiny parasitic insects that live in the scalp hair of humans. These insects can be eliminated by washing hair with a medicated shampoo that kills the organisms. Dandruff is a condition that can occur if the scalp becomes too dry and dead skin cells are shed as sticky, white flakes.