This short course will introduce you to the world of the human microbiome and those microbes that live in our bodies, on the skin, and the role they play in being an integral part of the acid mantle; the critical first line of skin barrier defense.
The critical first line of skin barrier defense is the acid mantle, and a biological community or ecological community known as the Skin Microbiome describes the interacting organisms living together in a habitat (biotope)on the skin surface.
We know that the primary role of the skin is to serve as a physical barrier, protecting our bodies from potential assault by foreign organisms or toxic substances, but little understood is that the skin is also an interface with the outside environment and, as such, is colonized by a diverse collection of microorganisms — including bacteria, fungi and viruses — as well as mites.The human microbiome is composed of those microbes that live in our bodies, and on the skin. The microbes or microorganisms that are resident on our skin are the skin microbiome, the microbes that live in the gut are call gut microbiome. The human microbiome is a source of genetic diversity, a modifier of disease, an essential component of immunity, and a functional entity that influences metabolism and modulates drug interactions.
By understanding the importance of the Microbiome; particularly that of the skin, we can more readily appreciate that treatments and practices that continually deplete it can have consequences that lead to skin protection mechanism failures. We also can also appreciate how a corneotherapeutic approach helps maintain the homeostasis that protects the microbiome and overall skin health.
This educational activity has been approved for 1.0 CE by NCEA Commission on Accreditation.
Learning Objectives:
After completion of this online course, the skin care professional will be able to:
1. Demonstrate that the Microbiome is part of the critical first line of skin barrier defence that is the
acid mantle.
2. Identify that the skin is colonized by a diverse collection of microorganisms — including bacteria,
fungi and viruses — as well as mites.
3. Explain that the human microbiome is a source of genetic diversity, a modifier of disease, an
essential component of immunity, and a functional entity that influences metabolism and
modulates drug interactions.
4. Demonstrate competency of course material.
CURRICULUM
Units of learning – 1 Lesson
Lesson 1 – The Skin MicroBiome: Importance and Formation
