OVERVIEW

Skin Physiology is an optional course which examines the basic elements of physiology of skin tissues, epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. Some techniques are also examined and substances commonly used for the maintenance of homeostasis, the correction of dysfunctions, and the problems related to aging of the skin tissue.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide knowledge regarding the physiology of the skin and techniques for the maintenance of homeostasis, correction of dysfunctions, and problems related to skin tissue aging.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides foundational knowledge in skin physiology and addresses the maintenance of skin homeostasis, correction of dysfunctions, and problems related to aging. Topics include the epidermis, dermis, skin appendages, hair and baldness, skin glands, melanogenesis, the cutaneous nervous system, various types of alterations, and wound healing.

See also the sections Learning Outcomes and Teaching Methods.

PREREQUISITES

Basic elements of Anatomy, General Physiology, Biochemistry, and Organic Chemistry.

TEACHING METHODS

Class lessons and teaching materials on the Aulaweb platform.

In the first lesson, the teacher explains in detail the teaching method adopted. This method starts from the problem that students generally do not enjoy studying, finding it instinctively burdensome and uninteresting. This happens because they are human beings, and it is nothing to be ashamed of or feel guilty about—however, it must be managed, as studying is essential for the educational path they have chosen. Aiming at this goal, the didactic method of this course pushes students to make the most of the study time during the actual lessons, i.e., in time slots specifically allocated to Skin Physiology, which do not interfere with the rest of their lives.

The topics presented in each lesson reappear in different ways in subsequent lessons, creating a strong reinforcement of learning, which occurs not by memorizing lists of items but through understanding processes and relationships between elements, in a way that is much more aligned with human cognitive processes. Moreover, students are constantly engaged during the lessons—they are invited to answer questions about the current or previous lessons, sometimes even anticipating concepts not yet explained but deducible from what has already been covered. Student participation is strongly encouraged, and all contributions are praised regardless of the quality of the answer. Even a simple “I don’t know” is viewed positively because engagement activates psychological mechanisms that reinforce learning processes. Additionally, the questions are posed in the same format as the exam questions, so this exercise also prepares students for the final exam.

By the end of the course, students who have faithfully followed the instructor’s method are practically ready to take the exam, requiring only a brief review of the material. Exam dates are arranged in agreement with the teacher, and students are encouraged to register for the first available session to make the most of their efforts.

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department ( Prof. Luca Raiteri, Luca.Raiteri@unige.it ) before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific learning methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes. VERY IMPORTANT: any request for compensatory tools and adaptations in the exam MUST be done within 10 working days before the date of the exam according to the instructions that can be found at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Topics: epidermis and keratinocytes, dermis, fibroblasts and skin appendages, hair and baldness, skin glands, melanogenesis, skin functions, the cutaneous nervous system, dermatitis, physiological mechanisms of wound healing.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bovero A. 2011. Dermocosmetologia. Tecniche Nuove, Milan.

Burlando B. et al. 2010. Herbal Principles in Cosmetics. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL.

Teaching materials available on AulaWeb. Ask the teacher for the access key either in class or by emailing from your university address, clearly stating your first name, last name, and student ID number.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Optional courses for the first semester generally start after the official beginning of the semester, following the approval of the students' study plans. Students are advised to check the Degree Course website or email the teacher for information.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Exam: Oral exam with “problem-solving” style questions requiring multi-modal responses constructed by the student.

For example, there will be no questions like: “Tell me about the dermis.”

Instead, questions might be: “If I expose my skin to the sun, it becomes darker; how is that possible?”

The best answers will describe a cause-effect mechanism which, in this case, might involve the melanocyte/keratinocyte melanization process, or UV-induced genomic mechanisms controlling melanization, etc.

The exam is conducted in an interactive way to make emotional factors (e.g., amnesia, anxiety) irrelevant to the student’s performance. The aim is to objectively assess the student’s actual preparation, regardless of any emotional disturbances during the exam.

Exam methods are explained in class.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

See the section “Exam Description”.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For any information, contact the teacher via email: