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Keratosis of the skin is a natural process during which the epidermal cells die and are replaced by a younger epidermis. Due to many internal and external factors, keratinization may be disturbed, which causes hyperkeratosis. How to take care of dry skin to avoid itching, burning and unsightly peeling of the epidermis?
What is keratinization of the skin?
The skin is the largest human organ. It is the body’s first line of defense, responsible for thermoregulation, as well as receiving stimuli from the environment. It is made up of many layers made of closely adjacent cells. The outermost of these is the stratum corneum, which is constantly changing. Old cells are replaced with new ones in a cycle lasting about 26-28 days.
Keratosis (peeling of the epidermis) can be a consequence of certain diseases, such as metabolic or autoimmune diseases, improper care, exposure to low or high temperatures (air that is too dry), or taking certain medications. As a result of impaired exfoliation, keratinized cells become thicker, which gives a very unsightly effect and may cause superinfections.
What are the causes of epidermal keratosis?
Keratosis of the skin can affect both adults and children. The causes are generally:
- improper skin care, including insufficient skin hydration,
- the use of preparations causing excessive drying of the epidermis,
- frequent contact with detergents,
- endocrine disruption (menopause, postmenopause),
- chronic diseases, including diabetes, atopic dermatitis, rheumatism or kidney and liver diseases,
- overweight,
- friction and pressure,
- long and hot baths.
What are the symptoms of epidermal keratosis?
The callous epidermis is dry and thickened, which is visible mainly on the heels, elbows and knees. Occasionally, keratosis may affect larger parts of the body, which requires consultation with a dermatologist. In advanced cases, severe keratosis can lead to the formation of wounds, which are open spots for pathogens.
Dry and calloused skin care – how to choose cosmetics?
In order to effectively prevent and alleviate the symptoms of epidermal keratosis, appropriate and effective care should be selected. It is necessary to restore the water-lipid balance of the epidermis, which will prevent the loss of excess moisture from the skin. A good solution is to reach for emollients that reduce the discomfort associated with calloused skin, making it deeply moisturized, elastic and soft to the touch.
One of the most valuable ingredients that is successfully used in the case of dry as well as sensitive skin is urea. Urea is a non-toxic and non-allergenic humectant, i.e. a compound with the ability to retain large amounts of water. It occurs naturally in human skin, but its amount decreases significantly with age. Urea level disturbances are observed in the group of patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (atopic dermatitis), ichthyosis, diabetes mellitus and in the case of avitaminosis.
The action of urea depends on its concentration. The care of atopic, dry and calloused skin requires the use of this compound in lower concentrations, up to 5%. High concentrations are recommended for, inter alia, skin care in people with psoriasis. Here, the concentrations, depending on the observed changes, may be in the range of 10-40%. Lower concentrations of 10-15% are recommended for the whole body in the form of lotions, e.g. after PUVA therapy. Emollients with a urea content of 30-40% in the form of an emulsion are much more often chosen. Only such a high concentration of humectant effectively and safely softens the skin and facilitates the penetration of moisturizing substances. A good example is the Cerko line of urea preparations.
Keratolytic cream, eg CERKODERM 30% with AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), apart from the high concentration of urea, has been enriched with glycolic acid. This active keratolytic and moisturizing complex smoothes, softens and intensively moisturizes dry epidermis. Such preparations can be used on the whole body, with particular emphasis on the elbows and heels. The higher concentration of urea contained in CERKODERM 40 cream is especially recommended for people with hyperkeratosis, as well as lesions of fissure and nail plate hyperplasia.
Keratosis can also appear on the scalp. Dryness and excessive flaking of the epidermis can be visibly eliminated with a 30% urea gel, eg CERKOGEL 30. The urea complex with L-Arginine and AHA proves the high effectiveness of the dermocosmetic. People experiencing significant keratinization, also within the nail plate, should try a higher concentration of urea in CERKOGEL 40 with vitamin PP, which eliminates the cosmetic defect and improves the condition of the hydro-lipid layer of the epidermis.