Homoeopathic Perspectives on the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Skin Aging

Abstract

The skin is one of the largest and most important  organs in the body and comprises approximately  16% of the human body weight. It has a number  of physiological functions that are essential to  maintaining homeostasis, protection and social  interaction. Protection, thermoregulation, sensation,  water storage, absorption, expression, synthesis of  vitamin D. The skin is the main interface between the individual  and the environment. It therefore has essential  physiological functions which allow the individual to  live safely, even under changing external conditions  which might pose potential threats.  The skin has 3 layers—the epidermis, dermis,  and hypodermis, which have different anatomical  structures and functions. The epidermis is  derived from ectodermal tissue. The dermis and  hypodermis are derived from mesodermal tissue. Nerves of the skin include both somatic  and autonomic nerves. The somatic sensory  system transmits pain (nociception), temperature,  light touch, discriminative touch, vibration, pressure,  and proprioception sensations to the central nervous  system. Autonomic innervation controls vasculature  tone, hair root pilomotor stimulation, and sweating.  The free nerve endings extend into the epidermis and  are responsible for sensing pain, heat, and cold.