When the skin looks good on the outside; soft, supple, moist, free of blemishes, it is a good indicator that the tissues inside the body are also healthy. But when the skin is dry, wrinkled, broken capillaries or ulcerated, it is a reflection that those same conditions exist within the body.
Not only is the skin the largest organ of the human body, it is also the largest
detoxification organ. It continually requires a supply of water as evaporation and perspiration continually pull moisture through the skin to eliminate wastes and cleanse the tissues. Without adequate hydration, wastes build up, causing problems for the skin as well as for the rest of the body.
As a reflection of the inner body, the skin is often the most obvious indicator of dehydration. dry, flaky skin is a sure sign that the water level in the body is inadequate. Further symptoms, such as acne, Rosacea, and other skin disorders are signs that the body is rationing water. When adequate water is provided, these conditions will improve. Don't wait to be thirsty!!! When you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
Because aging is also correlated with loss of water, the skin is a good indicator of age. Aging and dehydration result in thin, wrinkled skin which has lost its resiliency. Try this simple test:
Gently pinch the skin on the back of your hand between your thumb and forefinger for 5 seconds. Then count how many seconds it takes for it to return to normal and flatten out. The length of time it takes can be correlated with age, dehydration, and skin health.
Generally those between the ages of 45 to 50 have a return-response under 5 seconds, but by the age 60, the amount of time it takes for the skin to return to its original position is double or triple (10-15 seconds), and by the age 70, the response time is typically 35-50 seconds.
The lack of resiliency in older skin is due to a loss of water. as we age, the thirst mechanism declines and water is lost from many areas of the body. The structure of the water within our bodies also deteriorates with age, making it less efficient and less mobile.
Dehydration requires water rationing. During dehydration, the only areas of the body that receive allotments are those where water is absolutely necessary. Blood, brain,kidneys, liver, digestive tract all take priority over the skin and connective tissue. Without water they begin to dry up. What we notice in the skin is the reduction of collagen and cross-linking among the existing fibers- no surprise, since collagen is mainly water. Without a continual supply of water between each strand, collagen dries, cracks and bonds to itself. This causes the skin to thin, develop wrinkles and it no longer has the ability to hold moisture. I cant tell you how many times my clients say " what moisturizer can I use on my hands,,,,they are so dry, no matter what I put on them".
So before you pick up that expensive moisturizer from the drug store, look at your water intake. I would recommend installing a water purifier in your home. I have an alkaline/ acidic water machine which I love and we offer these for sale at Metamorphosis. I personally drink water in the pH range of 9.5 and find that this water machine creates more hydrating water with a smaller molecule. You can also install a reverse osmosis machine which can be purchased at Home Depot. I personally think that we have over inadated the landfills with plastic bottles and who knows how much plastic is being leached into the water in the plastic bottles. So drink your water from a good source and watch your skin improve!
