The Secret Behind Our Skin
- erudite .
- Apr 28, 2022
- 2 min read
By Ella Kang
Our skin protects us in various ways, and it’s not enough to describe skin as a simple barrier between our organs and the dangers of the outside world. Skin can also be an indicator of someone’s health - for instance, changes in skin color or structure can notify about a medical condition. People with not abundant amounts of red blood cells may look pale, and people with hepatitis may have yellowish skin. Moreover, in the case of injured skin, the blood supply to the skin increases to deliver necessary substances for protecting the wound and healing faster. Then, new skin cells are formed and might heal with or without a scar depending on the deepness of the wound.
What Does Skin Do?
Skin, as the largest organ, is the ultimate multi-tasker that performs several functions necessary for our well-being. It protects and keeps us healthy by:
Keeping the body’s fluid balance in check.
Regulating body temperature.
Reporting pressure and pain.
Defending the entire body from external aggressors.
Temperature and humidity changes
UV rays
Pressure
Diseases
Chemical materials
How Does Skin Work?
Skin fulfills the roles with its 3 major layers, each of which enhances the skin’s defensive properties.
Epidermis: As the outermost layer of the skin and the first protective layer for the body, the epidermis prevents external damage and provides pigments of the skin color. Epidermis also renews itself: new cells are born in the lower layers and further move to the surface in 4 weeks. The thickness of epidermis may vary according to its location on the body. There are specific types of epidermis cells:
Melanocytes produce and store melanin, which protects the skin from the harmful UV rays.
Lymphocytes and Langerhans cells fight against germs by taking them to the closest lymph node.
Merkel cells help pressure sensor.
Dermis: This layer under the epidermis contains dense, tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands. It also has a network of nerve fibres and small blood vessels names capillaries, which help the transfer of nutrients and oxygen throughout the blood and into the cells.
Subcutis (aka subcutaneous layer): This last layer comprises connective tissue and fat, cushioning the body and acting as a shock absorber with its cavities filled with tissue made of fat and water.
How Can Skin Get Damaged?
Both internal and external conditions can affect the skin barrier in various ways:
too humid or too dry environment
allergens, irritants, and pollutants
too much sun exposure
alkaline detergents and soaps
exposure to harsh chemicals
over-exfoliation or over-washing
psychological distress
genetic factors
steroids
Works Cited
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