Page 28 - Waterfall Issue 9_2022
P. 28
Waterfall News
THE GOOD, THE BAD
AND THE UGLY
The skin microbiome and its dermatological and surgical role
By Dr Ashley Naidoo and Dr Lushen Pillay
The skin is our largest
organ and serves
as our external
envelope, with
the duty to form a
physical barrier to
prevent invasion
Dr Ashley Naidoo
Dr Ashley Naidoo is a specialist into our body by
orthopaedic surgeon practising foreign pathogens
at Netcare Waterfall City
Hospital and is a co-founder (organisms causing
of Gauteng Orthopaedic
Associates. Dr Lushen Pillay disease). IMAGE COURTESY: WWW.TRUTHINAGING.COM
is a specialist dermatologist
practising at Netcare Waterfall
City Hospital and is the
O trillions of microorganisms, surgery) and apply certain topical
founder of Skinderm. ur skin is teeming with wash, sanitise with alcohol (e.g. before
like bacteria, fungi,
lotions, we alter the skin’s surface
and viruses that occur
biome – the foot soldiers protecting
naturally. These invisible life forms environment. This can prevent the skin
are referred to collectively as the skin the skin’s immunity from the bad
microbiome or biome. A very similar bugs – from performing their vital
set-up is seen in our intestines. function, which is termed dysbiosis.
The skin biome – or ‘good bugs’ THE ROLE OF THE SKIN
– provide the skin with a defence BIOME IN DISEASE
against invasion by infection-causing When dysbiosis occurs, a diseased
bacteria – or ’bad bugs’ – by producing skin process can be triggered. The
antimicrobial proteins and altering the imbalance and resulting dysregulated
Dr Lushen Pillay environment on the skin. When we inflammatory process can exacerbate
26 Waterfall Issue 9 2022
