
When You Go Near Heat
By Nat Habit
It feels warm. Comforting. But beneath the surface, your skin starts to stir.
Keratinocyte (skin cell, uneasy):
“Temperature rising… slight flush... okay, we’re heating up fast.” “I'm losing water. The surface is evaporating faster than I can rehydrate.” “Is this going to be daily? I can’t keep up.”
NMF (Natural Moisturising Factor, dissolving):
“Wait! The heat is stripping me—my urea, lactates, amino acids… all leaking out.” “I’m here to keep skin moist. But I can't hold on in this kind of dry heat.”
Sebocyte (oil gland, reacting):
“Heat? I’ll respond with more oil to protect! But if this continues… I’ll either go overboard or burn out. Cue: greasy forehead or dry, inflamed patches.”
Langerhans Cell (immune lookout, alert):
“I’m sensing heat stress. Capillaries dilating. Should I launch inflammation? No barrier damage yet, but prolonged exposure will invite redness, irritation… maybe sensitivity.”
Melanocyte (melanin-maker, on standby):
“If this keeps up, I’ll have to defend the skin with pigment. That’s how I shield against heat + UV combo. Hyperpigmentation isn’t just sun—it’s also heat.”
Fibroblast (deep skin cell, bracing):
“Blood vessels constrict and expand erratically with heat. That weakens collagen, breaks down elastin. If it becomes routine? Wrinkles. Loss of firmness. Early aging.”
Microbiome (wilting):
“We don’t thrive in hot, dry surfaces. Excessive heat dries oils and shifts pH—our safe zone starts collapsing.”
Skin’s Faint Whisper:
“Heat isn’t always fire—but it still burns.”
“Pull me back. Cool me down. Wrap me in hydration, herbs, and oils…
Before this warmth becomes damage.”
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