Dehydration

Dehydration - known as Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL)

is the lack of water within the skin as a result of an impaired skin barrier that is not able to retain water. Water passes from inside the skin to the surrounding atmosphere. Damage to the skin will impair the functioning of the epidermis and its ability to retain a good water balance. Causes of an impaired skin barrier can be as a result of genetics, age or lifestyle but more often than not, the leading cause is incorrect choice of harsh products or treatments which disturb the skin’s acid mantle or even injure the skin.

Causal Factors

• over exfoliation including:
  • harsh peels
  • dermablading
  • thermal damage treatments
  • microdermabrasion
• harsh treatments
• stripping the skin with harsh products
• emulsifiers, colourings, perfumes

All of the bad decisions we make when we seek the wrong advice from the marketing hype, uneducated cosmetic influencers and skin care that is not actually 'skin care' are just some of the reasons we have impaired our barrier over time.