Many people don’t realize it, but your skin is your body’s largest organ, and to get a lifetime of use out of it, you’ve got to take care of it. Skin provides your main protection against our environment so it pays to take care of it.

The deepest layer of skin, the dermis, contains blood vessels, nerves, sweat and oil glands, and hair follicles. Made of collagen and elastin fibers, this layer is literally what holds us together. The outer layer, called the epidermis, is essentially a coat of armor that protects us, to a point, from injury, and is one of the few tissues capable of replenishing itself.

The epidermal cells, called keratinocyte, are in constant motion, being formed in the lower epidermal layer and moving up to the surface as the cells mature. From there, the cells die off and are shed from the body, constantly being replenished from the layer below. At the surface is a thin, slightly acidic layer of liquid formed by the oil and sweat glands, called the acid mantle. This layer helps moisturize and protect the skin, and also acts in concert with normal bacteria and yeast at the surface to keep aggressive bacteria, fungus, and viruses from getting inside our bodies.

The secret to maintaining beautiful, healthy skin is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and to develop a skin care regimen utilizing quality products. Here at The Plastic Surgery Institute, P.A., we carry a full line of premium skin care products, and our team will work with you to select the right products, and will guide you in their effective use.

For damage that has already been done, we offer a number of skin care procedures to help you regain your youthful appearance and to regain the protection your skin is supposed to provide.