Why is it necessary to be attentive to the dead skin cells?
What is the connection between foot odor and dead skin cells?
Why is it necessary to be attentive to the dead skin cells?
The human skin consists of three layers - the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue. Within the epidermal layer there are desmosomes which are composed of different kinds of fat or protein and act by pushing up the old epidermis. The old layer usually decomposes naturally so that the old epidermis peels off as scurf. This system is called turnover (metabolism) and takes about 28 days to occur. This peeled epidermis is known as the dead skin cell layer.
Dead skin cells are composed of keratin which is a kind of protein. This keratinous skin acts as a barrier to protect the epidermis from external stimuli and also to defend the body from moisture. It has an important function as part of the skin.
The dead skin cells maintain a role of protecting the epidermis from the external stimuli. If a load such as friction or pressure is imposed on the foot and is heavier than average or applied for long time the skin of the sole accumulates old corneocytes to protect the epidermis from the stimuli. The storage of the dead skin cells is a defensive reaction to protect the skin. Examples of situations which result in an increased load may include standing up at work for long periods of time, hard sports and walking with tight shoes.
Corneocytes are attached to the desmosomes which consist of fat or protein. If the turnover of cells is normal and smooth, desmosomes are decomposed by the enzymes in the skin such as trypsin, and the dead skin peels off gradually. If the sole is under pressure by external stimuli, the dead skin cells build up more and therefore are unable to be metabolized. The old corneocytes start to pile up and as a result the layer of old dead skin cells develops and it causes skin troubles of the sole such as hardening, dry and rough skin or cracked, scaly and powdery skin.
For preventing a superfluous layer of dead skin cells, there are some tactics such as wearing well-fitted shoes or inserting an insole to protect against friction or pressure, however the dead skin cells develop gradually because the foot may be overworked every day.
As piling of dead skin cells occurs, the skin is unable to turn itself over and more and more dead skin cells build up. The layering of dead skin cells causes a stinky smell on the foot and bad blood circulation which may also cause a cold constitution. It is important to remove the dead skin cells to keep the foot healthy.
How can we remove the excess layred dead skin cells?
A common way to remove the dead skin cells is to scratch the foot with a file or pumice. This may enable the removal of dead skin cells immediately and allow care for the affected area, thus it is popular. This method however takes considerable ongoing time and effort and as such is disadvantageous. If you have scratched the dead skin cells at home or at a foot-care salon, you may experience the following.
The dead skin cells cover the whole sole with a number of layers, so if part of the dead skin is forced to be removed, the surface of the sole is injured and as a result this causes dryness and cracking. In addition, the friction caused by scratching the dead skin cells creates a vicious spiral of gathering more and more dead skin.
Baby Foot includes plentiful acids as the main components, pyroligneous acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid and so on. These acids act by decomposing kinds of albumin called desmosomes which attach between the layers of the skin. Acids also help to peel off the old cornified layer. In addition, the turnover of the skin and the friction which occurs in everyday life also assist with this peeling and therefore it is very easy and very gentle for the skin without resultant scratching.
The overall process is very easy with only 3 steps - wearing, soaking and washing. After five to seven days, the dead skin cells will have astonishingly peeled off.
What is the connection between foot odor and dead skin cells?_
