How Skin Works

Skin cells are manufactured in the lower section of the epidermis and move upward. When they near the surface, the cells die and flatten out to become part of the top layer of skin(the stratum corneum), which is the skin you see.

These dead cells are constantly being shed- when you wash or when your skin rubs against clothing, for example- and you lose millions of them every day. They are replaced by new cells traveling up from the bottom of the epidermis. Normally the conversion of living cells into dead skin flakes takes about 21 to 40 days, but it slows as we get older.

What does Skin Do ? - What is the basic Work of Skin?

• It protects the body against organisms and substances that cannot penetrate the outer layer, such as bacteria and harmful chemicals. If a potentially damaging material does enter the skin, the dermis has a healthy blood supply that enables white blood cells to deal with the invader.

• It helps regulate body temperature. During cool conditions, the blood vessels in the skin constrict, and contraction of the tiny muscles causes the hairs on the skin to stand up, trapping a layer of warm air. In warm conditions, the blood vessels dilate, and the sweat glands produce perspiration which evaporates to cool the body.

• Keratin, the protein that forms the main component of the dead surface cells, makes the skin waterproof and tough.

• Sweat also contains substances known as pheromones that are said to enhance sexual attraction. Small amounts of waste products are also excreted in sweat.

• Receptors in the skin that respond to pain, touch, and temperature constantly send messages to the brain.