TOC
Functions of the Skin
Some Facts About Skin
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays several crucial roles in maintaining overall health. Here's an overview of how the skin works:
-
Layers of the Skin:
-
Epidermis:
- This is the outermost layer of the skin. It serves as a protective Skin Barrier against environmental factors, pathogens, and UV radiation.
- The epidermis contains specialized cells called keratinocytes, which produce the protein keratin, giving the skin its strength and flexibility. In between the keratinocyte cells are a few melanocytes which produce melanin or the pigment of our skin
- Epidermis consists of 5 layers, and the bottom most layer called Stratus Basale produces new skin cells. These cells travel upwards till they reach the outermost layer which consists of dead skin cells called Stratus Corneum
-
Dermis:
- The dermis is the factory of the skin which provides structural support and nourishment to the skin.
- It contains large number of fibroblast cells which produces collagen and elastin fibers which contribute to the skin's elasticity and strength.
- Hypodermis (Subcutaneous Tissue):
- This is the deepest layer of the skin, consisting of fat cells, connective tissue, and larger blood vessels. The hypodermis acts as an insulator, regulating body temperature, and also provides cushioning
-
Epidermis:
- Other Skin Elements
- Sweat Pores:
- The sweat glands appear all over the surface of the skin for the purpose of thermoregulation of the body. The sweat pores may occur independently on the skin or maybe combined with the hair follicle. Most anti-perspirants work by physically blocking the pore of the sweat gland so the sweat cant come out.
- Sebum Pores:
- Sebum pores combines with the hair follicle and help lubricate the skin surface and make it waterproof. The oil from the sebum gland prevents the skin from drying out and keeps our skin a little shiny and soft.