Have you ever wondered why you have oily skin but the skin around your lips is always dry? Or why is the skin on the lips a different color than other skin areas on the face? To answer these questions, let's explore the structure of lip skin with Dermalogica!
6 “Facts” about the structure of lip skin
Below are facts you may not know about this skin area, let's explore now!
Fact 1: Lip skin is much thinner than the rest of the skin
Compared to other skin areas on the body, the structure of lip skin has its own differences. Lip skin also has a structure of 3 layers: epidermis (epidermis), dermis and hypodermis. However, the structure of this skin area is different for each layer. For other skin areas, each skin layer will have up to 16 cell layers, but for lip skin this number is from 3-5 cell layers. Therefore, the skin on the lips is much thinner and more vulnerable.
The structure of lip skin and the functions of each main layer are shown as follows:
- Epidermis (epidermis): is the outermost area of skin. This is the area of skin we can touch that contains old cells (dead cells). The main function of the epidermis is to protect the skin from harmful agents such as bacteria, dust, etc. At the same time, prevent dehydration of the lips.
- Dermis: This is considered the true skin layer. The lip dermis is composed of collagen fibers, elastin and connective tissue. These ingredients determine the firmness and elasticity of the lip skin.
- The dermis is the innermost layer of skin, which acts as an insulating cushion and generates energy for the body.
Fact 2: Lip skin does not contain many Melanocytes
Melanocytes are cells that help create melanin - dark pigment. Melanin is the ingredient that determines the color of the skin. At the same time, Melanin is the mechanism to protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays in the sun. Studies have shown: Lip skin contains very few Melanocyte cells.
Furthermore, the lip skin surface is very thin. This is the reason we can see reddish pink color on the lips. This reddish pink color is the color of the capillaries under the skin. Because of these things, lip skin is often more susceptible to damage than other skin areas.
Fact 3: Lip skin structure does not have sebaceous glands
The epidermis is the part that determines the thickness of the skin. However, the epidermis on the lips is very thin. Therefore, lip skin is much softer and thinner than the rest of the skin. Furthermore, lip skin has a special structure, without pores and sebaceous glands, so the lip skin's ability to self-hydrate is very limited. Lip skin is susceptible to dryness and peeling, especially when the body is dehydrated or the weather is dry. This is also the reason why lip skin needs to be properly cared for and protected.
Fact 4: The lip area is one of the most sensitive skin areas on the body
Just like the fingertip area, the lip skin area, although it only accounts for a small proportion of the body's area, is where a large number of nerves are concentrated. In addition, the lip skin epidermis is thin, so the lip skin has a strong ability to receive touch.
Just like the tips of the fingers, the lips also have more nerves than other areas of the body. In addition to possessing a fragile epidermis, the effects on human lips will easily bring us strong emotions. Therefore, when expressing love to someone, people often use their lips to kiss, which is also a way for the other person to feel their feelings more clearly. When you receive someone else's kiss on your lips, it is the fragility of your lip skin and the dense nerves that make you have sweet, sublimated emotions.
Fact 5: Lip shape changes over time
The shape of the lips and their plumpness and firmness are determined by the amount of Protein - Collagen in the body. Before the age of 25, most of our lip skin is very plump. However, from the age of 25 onwards, the skin loses 1.5% of collagen every year. And by the age of 60, the skin has lost more than 60% of its collagen. Collagen depletion leads to a change in the shape of the lips. Lips will become thinner and less firm.
Fact 6: The color and appearance of lip skin can help detect disease early.
According to doctors, observing the color and expression of the lip skin area, you can also self-check for some health problems. Below are some signs of health expressed through the skin of the lips that you can refer to:
- Signs of dry, chapped lips: This is a sign that your body is lacking water. You can improve by adding more water to your body. Or use lip care products to help prevent water loss on the surface of the lip skin.
- Signs of rough lips: rough spots are signs that the body is experiencing abnormalities such as allergies, side effects or viral attacks (such as the herpes virus that causes cold sores on the lips).
- Pale lips, lack of pink color: The condition of lips losing their original pink color and turning pale blue can be a sign of poor oxygen circulation in the blood. In this case, you may have similar symptoms in your fingers and toes. Pale lip color can also be caused by anemia, a disease that requires early examination.
Conclusion
Dermalogica hopes you have gained more useful knowledge about the structure of lip skin. In the next article, we will answer the reasons why lip skin is dark and how to care for it to help make lip skin pink. Let's read it in Dermalogica's next article!