What is skin dehydration?

A dehydrated skin lacks water content in the intercelluar structure of the skin, the fluid between cells. This skin type often appears dry and dull with a rough, crepe like texture. Dehydration can affect all skin types in any age group although it is most commonly seen in dry skin types. If the moisture content is not replenished in the epidermis (upper skin layer) and dermis (middle layer of the skin), dehydration occurs. Dehydrated skin is dependent on the epidermis and dermis as the smallest change in the skin’s water content can cause the skin to become dry and cracked. This can often cause thinning of the skin which can eventually lead to the loss in the skin’s elasticity and radiance. The skin can become taut and itchy with the development of fine lines and wrinkles appearing around the eye and cheek areas.

Stretch marks are common condition affecting both men and women and commonly appear on the thigh, upper arms, stomach, breast, and buttock areas. It is usually seen in conditions such as pregnancy or obesity, although stretch marks may occur in certain medical conditions like Cushing’s Syndrome, which is an adrenal gland disorder, where high levels of cortisone are present in the blood. Cortisone ‘weakens’ the elastin fibers in the skin thereby contributing to stretch mark development, even when there is no obvious or significant stretching of the skin. Stretch marks can be treated to reduced the severity but cannot be removed completely or ‘cured’.

Nails are made up of keratin plates and are designed to protect the tips of fingers although they function as useful tools as well. The main area of a nail is called the nail plate which contains no blood vessels or nerves. The nail root lies under the cuticle at the base of the nail and the hard translucent nail plate is made up of a compact form of protein known as keratin.

Pubic lice are a parasite known as phthirus or pediculosis pubis but is commonly referred to as crabs. These small, wingless ‘insects’ are found mainly on the genital area although they can be present on coarse hair like the eyebrows, beard and eyelash areas. Pubic lice are blood sucking insects that are transmitted either through direct contact or through contact from infested towels, linen or clothing. Due to the consumption of blood, the lice may appear reddish-brown (rust) in color. This condition of pubic lice affects individuals of both genders.

Picture of Severe Spider Veins & Varicose Veins

Telangiectasia is a condition commonly referred to as spider veins, where thin dilated blood vessels connected to larger blood vessels are visible at the skin’s surface. These veins appear in clusters of bluish-purple or red zones and are often shaped in a ’spider’s web’, hence the name spider veins. Although this condition can affect a small percentage of males it is mostly common in females. Unlike varicose veins, spider veins do not bulge or extend above the surface of the skin.