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0 Did you know that skin is our largest organ? We tend to think of our organs as inside the body, but the skin is one organ that adults carry 8 pounds of while it would stretch for 22 square feet. Skin is a beautiful thing, and we owe it a great deal which is why we should look after it to the best of our ability. It acts as our waterproof shield, guarding and insulating us from temperatures, sunlight, and chemicals.
What else can it do? Cleverly, it can produce antibacterial substances to help prevent infection. It also has Vitamin D to convert into calcium for maintaining healthy bones. The skin lets us know what is happening outside by sending messages to our brains via nerve impulses. Without this, we would not know when we were in danger.
The outer layer of skin is called the epidermis, which contains the same material found in nails and hair called keratin. This protein forms several layers constantly growing outwards as the exterior cells die and fall away. There is a five-week cycle while new cells get to the surface. The epidermis is where the functional Langerhans cells live, which are the ones that alert the body’s immune system to viruses and other nasty things.
The deeper layer is known as the dermis, where collagen and elastin are situated. Blood vessels help regulate body temperature, and a network of nerves detects things like touch, temperature, and pain – sending these messages to the brain. This is also where the hair follicles and the sweat glands can be found. For those who have trouble with hair loss, consider a solution like Scalp Micropigmentation Worcester that gives the scalp the appearance of fuller hair. Visit His Hair Clinic for details on Scalp Micropigmentation Worcester.
The subcutis is the name given to the deepest base layer of skin and includes a layer of fat held in reserve in case of a food shortage. It works well as an insulator and helps prevent us from injury when we have a bump or fall.
Here are some other interesting things about skin:
- Skin amounts to 15% of your total body weight
- Every minute your skin sheds 30,000 dead cells
- On average, over 14 species of fungi live between your toes
- It takes up to 6 months for a baby to develop its permanent skin tone
- The thickest skin is found on your feet at 1.4mm deep
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