DEFINITION

It is important to know that the environment plays a big part in the condition of human skin. There are several factors to consider, including the sun, cold or dry weather, the wind, air-conditioning and central heating, pollution and contaminated sea water.

DESCRIPTION

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
SUN'S ULTRA VIOLET RAYS, FLUORESCENT LIGHTS, ULTRA VIOLET RAYS
Effects on the skin:
The skin begins to lose its tone and elasticity.
The skin becomes leathery with evident lines and wrinkles
Premature ageing of the skin occurs.
In extreme cases over-exposure to the sun's rays can lead to skin cancer.
COLD WEATHER
Effects on the skin:
The skin becomes drier.
Fine lines and wrinkles begin to develop.
The skin may become rough and scaly.
DRY WEATHER
Effects on the skin:
The skin becomes dehydrated.
It begins to lose its lustre and radiance.
Fine leathery lines begin to develop.
The skin may become flaky.
WIND
Effects on the skin:
This may cause the skin to lose its natural protection as it is stripped by the wind.
The skin may become sensitive, taut and easily irritated.
AIR-CONDITIONING AND CENTRAL HEATING
Effects on the skin:
The skin may become dehydrated
It may lose its lustre and radiance.
Fine leathery lines begin to develop.
The skin becomes flaky.
POLLUTION (e.g., dust, fuel emission, dirt and debris)
Effects on the skin:
These may cause the skin to be congested with impurities.
The skin may suffer from blemishes.
CONTAMINATED SEA WATER
Effects on the skin:
This may cause skin infections.
NOTE
In a perfect world, we would breathe fresh unpolluted air; the weather, temperature and humidity would remain constant; our lives would be stress free. The reality is that we live in a less than perfect environment and our skin as a result fights a daily battle with natural and not so natural elements that would rob it of its youth and resilience.

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