THINGS TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT THEIR SKIN.
Young skin looks and functions differently from adult skin. The self-protection mechanisms present in healthy adult skin are less developed and, as a result, babies and children need special care to keep their skin healthy. Children skin has the same number of layers as adult skin but each layer is considerably thinner. Overall a child’s skin is just one-fifth of the thickness of adult skin and as a result, the barrier function is limited.
Some common traits with baby skin include:
• Baby skin is less resistant than adult skin and especially sensitive to chemical, physical and microbial influences: Substances that come in to contact with baby skin are absorbed more easily and penetrate into deeper skin layers.
• Baby skin is prone to drying out.
• Baby skin is more sensitive to UV rays than adult skin. This sensitivity to UV is further enhanced by low pigmentation in baby skin. Melanocytes (the cells responsible for melanin production) are present, but less active.
As children mature, so does their skin.
From birth to the approximate age of 6, the following things will be prominent:
• Skin is still thinner and has less pigmentation than adult skin.
• Sweat and sebaceous glands are still less active so the hydrolipid film and protective acid mantle are still relatively weak.
By the approximate age of 6, the structure of skin and its appendages is fully matured and corresponds to that of an adult.
Sebaceous gland activity does not increase until the hormonal changes of puberty, which occur at the approximate age of 12. These hormonal changes also bring about differences between the structure and behavior of boys and girls skin, which, up until then, has been the same.
As your children grow, there are some things you should always teach them, they include;
• Moisturize:
Teach your children to always remember to moisturize. Dry skin is a prevailing problem among children but any moisturizer won’t do. Pick out a moisturizer that is free from parabens , dyes
Phthalates, sulfates, etc.
• Cleansing:
Children should learn the importance of keeping their skin dirt free by cleansing and bathing twice daily.Educate them on the type of soap to use, how to effectively clean themselves, what temperature their bath water should be, etc. they will be grateful to you as they get older.
• Be wary of the sun:
It is very important to teach children about the damaging effects of the sun’s rays. You can inculcate the habit of using a sunscreen for your kids so sun damage and sunburn can be avoided.
• Avoid picking acne and scabs
It’s vital to teach children the importance of avoiding picking at acne or scabs. You should teach your children that picking at acne or scabs will lead to scarring that they could carry with them into adulthood. Children should also be taught the importance of not picking at facial blemishes because it opens them up to bacteria and leads to scarring. To help children cope with acne and stop picking, you can have them wear bandages on their faces or clothing that covers scabbing so they will not be tempted to pick at them.
Article credit : Cocci Beauty