Dehydration And Your Skin

   Fluid balance plays a very important role in nearly all of our body functions. Even the smallest change in fluid balance can create all sorts of affects, from our physical performance, and how we feel, right down to how we look. From inside the body, dehydration can manifest itself in symptoms of headaches, fatigue, memory loss and then on to nearly every form of degenerative disease known.

   Skin problems go hand in hand with dehydration. Considering that our body is made up of 3/4 water then it is no wonder that we need to replenish and maintain the optimum fluid levels. Water is the skin's moisturizer, and dehydration will starve the skin of essential nutrients. When our skin begins to suffer the affects of dehydration, all sorts of skin problems will occur. Premature aging of the skin is the most common sign of dehydration. There are some that believe that skin cancers are not caused by the sun but primarily by dehydration, and a lack of Vitamin D. Cracked skin on the heels of the feet are a sure sign of dehydration, and with a little attention and a concentrated effort on re-hydrating the body properly, then the skin will heal itself.

   When the body is suffering from dehydration, the skin offers the first site for establishing water conservation. And if this water lost is not replaced, the skin will lose its moisture and become dry and lusterless. Once the skin loses moisture to dehydration there is less capillary circulation to the skin area to give it the healthy color it should have. It is important to remember that the skin houses the working of the body, and consequently its cells need water constantly. Because the skin is exposed to the environment, dehydration is exacerbated by surface evaporation, perspiration and sweating. If dehydration continues in the body, the skin's natural ability to repair itself will decrease, and dehydrated cells will cover the entire body.

   If you ever wondered why it seems that women age quicker than men, it is because men's skin does not show the damage from dehydration as quickly as women's skin. Their skin is coarser, and they also have more circulation to the skin on the face due to the male hormones. Nonetheless, continued dehydration will produce rough and furrowed skin on men's faces as well.

   Most people have heard that water is essential to life as it flushes out toxins from within the body. Most people have not associated it with being necessary in attaining a beautiful skin that is soft, supple and healthy. Dehydration is insidious, its effects often manifest quietly for years unnoticed. We may think our skin looks tired and we are aging a little too quickly, but we can attribute that to our busy hectic lifestyles. It is not until we are struck down with something more serious such as a degenerative disease, that we realize just how important an issue dehydration is.