Layers Of Skin
My mind doesn't immediately go to our skin when I think about the body's organs. We can see it most easily, but we often forget just how important it is and the number of roles it plays in our lives. Your skin can even reveal some deep-seated health problems. If we can understand the foundation of our skin, we can start to take better care of it and keep it healthy.
Structure
We have three layers of the skin - the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The layers are named by their location, and they all house specific functions.
Epidermis
Let's start with the epidermis layer. This layer is the outermost layer and is primarily made up of cells that produce keratin. Young epidermal cells are closer to the dermis layer. As cells mature, they are pushed up by more immature cells placing them further away from the blood supply. The dead skin cells make their way through sublayers to the surface, which helps to provide protection from outside elements.
Some of the unique functions of this epidermis layer include:
-protection from harmful UV rays
Dermis
The dermis, or the middle layer of the skin, is attached to the epidermis. This layer houses collagen and elastin. These fibers make the skin tough and stretchy. The dermis is filled with structures such as hair follicles, sweat glands, and sensory cells and is filled with many nerves, nerve endings, and blood vessels. This is where most of the skin's work is done.
Some unique functions of the dermis layer include:
-assists with controlling your body temperature
-support the epidermis and provide protection
Hypodermis
The deepest layer of skin is called the hypodermis. This layer is made predominately of fat and connective tissue. Along with the other layers of skin, the hypodermis helps to protect the skeletal system, muscles, organs, and tissue from damage. As we age, this layer of skin will begin to thin out. Skin begins to sag when the connections start to weaken.
Some unique functions of the hypodermis layer include:
Final Thoughts
Our skin is very complex and serves many functions. It is essential to understand what it is, what is inside it, and the purpose of each layer so we know how to treat it. We only consider educating ourselves once we have visible damage or have learned about an unfortunate condition or disorder. Please consider how you treat your skin. Pay closer attention to environmental threats and products that may harm your skin.
References
InformedHealth.org. (2019). How does skin work? Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279255/
