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The three layers of skin

Tier 1: The Epidermis

This is the skin that you can ‘see’ and is subdivided into five layers.  

First, we have the base layer (Stratum basale). This is the layer closest to the dermis and makes new cells called keratinocytes.

These base cells replace the ones constantly being shed from the top layer. This process is called skin cell renewal.

As we age this cycle slows down and can lead to a dull, textured appearance. The base layer also has cells which are responsible for pigmentation and discolouration. They produce colour in response to trauma to protect the DNA within the cells.

Once made, the pigment is transferred into the keratinocytes and carried to the surface layer – this is what you then see as discolouration.

The 5^th layer (top layer) is called the stratum corneum. These are ‘dead cells’ called corneocytes and work as the body’s main external protectant.

Alongside these cells are a fat rich matrix to help reduce water loss, manage the loss of skin cells and protect against allergens/toxins/bacteria. Think of this like a wall of bricks and cement.

This 5^th layer is continuously shed and replaced by newer cells. If the integrity of this wall is compromised, this creates holes and the skin will become vulnerable to dryness, itching, roughness, redness, stinging and flaking.

Tier 2: The Dermis

This is the middle layer you look to for plumpness. The dermis contains two extremely important proteins called Elastin and Collagen.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the skin, making up around 75-80% of your skin. Think of collagen as your skins scaffolding. There are sugar molecules around the collagen fibres which help it to retain water and provide hydration to the epidermis. This helps your skin to look bouncy, glowy and healthy.

Elastin – think ‘elastic’ – is another protein which is responsible for giving structure to your skin and organs. When there are higher levels of this, the skin has a ‘snap back’.

The junction between the two layers looks like a wave, to provide a larger area to feed the epidermis any nourishments. As we age this wave pattern starts to flatten through the loss of collagen and elastin. This is seen as wrinkles and sagging.

Tier 3: The Hypodermis

So, where does Franz come into this?

According to Franz, their Tissue X™ Technology is a one-of-a-kind skin absorption enhancement technology that delivers the benefits of iontophoresis treatments to your skin in the comfort of your own home. You’re probably thinking what on earth is that? Let’s simplify things:

The mask has two layers, the first is a superfine-fibre mask, where the active ingredients are found.

Thee ingredients include:

• Retinyl Palmitate (a Vitamin A derivative) to boost collagen production and aid in cell turnover. This also helps reduce pigmentation, signs of ageing and sun damage
• Hyaluronic Acid to enhance hydration and help reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles
• Oligopeptide-68 to brighten and smooth the skin
• Ceramides to help strengthen the skin barrier which helps to lock moisture and ensure that the skin retains the ingredients
• Hydrolized Collagen which has been shown to promote cell growth and increase in collagen

The second layer is the dry therapy mask – this is where the magic of Iontophoresis comes in.

Iontophoresis treatments are a way in which skin care ingredients are carried deep into the skins surface to produce visible results.

Rather than just sitting on the top ‘dead’ layer the ingredients can penetrate deeper for a clearer, smoother, hydrated skin and long-lasting benefits that minimise the signs of aging.

Iontophoresis is a method commonly used in dermatology, where microcurrents are used to create waves in the skin and allow the active ingredients of a treatment to penetrate through these gaps.

The simplest way to understand this is to think about magnets. When you put two magnets together of the same charge what happens? They push apart right? And if there are two opposite ones? They’re attracted and pull together.

Here the ingredients are first being charged through a microcurrent and then pushed into the skin to the where its attracting them.

Think of nicotine patches or contraception patches. The drugs are pushed into your skin topically rather than taking a tablet. Different systems are used but the end goal is the same. To place the product into the skin at a deeper level.

Did you know, the dry sheet mask was invented whilst seeking for a method to help with the management of rheumatism.

Have a look at the 3 diagrams underneath. Can you see how the passage is being opened in the skin to allow the ingredients to pass through?

Here the gates are closed

Microcurrents push the gates open

Ingredients can pass through

So, what can we use the mask for?

The mask has multiple benefits for skin. As it encourages collagen production, you’re likely to see a reduction in wrinkles. It also tackles sun damage by speeding up the process of cell renewal. As collagen is the scaffolding for pores so it can help with pore size and appearance as well as improving skin tone and texture.

It can also impact acne scarring. There is loss of collagen and elastin in scarring, so by increasing the amount of collagen in the skin, we can try and ‘lift’ these areas to reduce the acne scarring depressions.

Any FAQs?

Wondering if this mask is right for you? I’ve answered three common questions and concerns.