The skin accounts for 16 per cent of total body weight and is therefore the largest organ in the body. Stretched out, it would cover 2.0-2.6 m2 (15-20 ft2). Skin is lost and renewed at the rate of 30 g (1 oz) a month, which adds up to about 18 kg (40 lb) in an average lifetime. The outer layer, the epidermis, is effectively lifeless; it consists of flattish cells which are dying or already dead. These cells waterproof the skin and protect it from infection, and are continuously manufactured in the underlying layer of skin, the dermis. In this deeper, living layer lie blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerve endings sensitive to heat, cold, pain, and pressure, glands which manufacture sebum to keep the skin supple and waterproof, follicles which manufacture hair and nails, glands which eliminate toxins and wastes as perspiration, cells which synthesise Vitamin D if the skin is exposed to sunlight, and cells which contain the dark pigment melanin which protects the skin from harmful wavelengths in sunlight. Binding them all together, and giving the skin its softness and resilience, are two more kinds of tissues, fatty (adipose) tissue and elastic connective tissue. Wrinkles represent a loss of fat and elasticity. Beneath the dermis and attached to it by flexible fibres lie muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.
In homeopathic medicine skin conditions, which include conditions affecting hair and nails, are viewed as manifestations of general imbalance, of poor metabolic function. Rather than treating the obvious and visible symptoms - itchiness, blisters, scaliness, etc. - the whole constitution is treated. Suppressing symptoms at skin level may cause the underlying imbalance to express itself in an internal, and often more important, organ. Skin tone and colour tells a trained homeopath a great deal about a person.
In general, skin problems are not helped by sugar, refined carbohydrates, chocolate, tea, coffee, alcohol, spices, or perfumed cosmetics, or by constipation and lack of exercise, both of which slow down the elimination of toxins.
To moisturize dry skin, use pure olive oil, E45, Vaseline-based ointments, or Calendula cream; if using these on the face, apply them very sparingly. Excessive washing tends to dry the skin, but skin brushing - with a dry loofah or soft bristle brush - is very beneficial; it removes dead cells from the epidermis and because it gently massages the blood and lymph vessels in the dermis it speeds up the elimination of toxins. Always brush towards the heart, with a brisk, flicking motion. Avoiding brushing the face. Facial gymnastics systematically exercising the main muscle groups in the face - also help to keep the skin youthful and supple. For further details on skincare see The Woman's Guide to Homeopathy (see Bibliography). |
Back to Ailments & Diseases
