Getting to Know the Skin You're in

When we’re looking in the mirror we rarely think about the function of our skin nor do we know what is going on under its surface. Let’s take a closer look at the skin we’re in.

Our skin is divided into three layers:

1. Epidermis serves as a protective barrier consisting of five layers.
2. Dermis is the skin layer below the epidermis. It is thicker and provides the main ingredient for holding skin together.
3. Subcutaneous Layer is an important insulating layer providing cushioning and protection.

The epidermis contains 5 layers. From top to bottom, the layers are named:

Stratum corneum (top layer)
Stratum licidum
Stratum granulosum
Stratum spinosum
Stratum basale (bottom layer)

The epidermis is strong and is constantly renewing and growing from the bottom upward.
The bottom layer, the stratum basale, has cells that are shaped like columns. In this layer the cells divide and push already formed cells into higher layers. As the cells move into the higher layers, they flatten and eventually die.

The top layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, is made of dead, flat skin cells that shed about every 2 weeks. This layer provides your body with an overcoat that protects deeper cells from damage, infection, and from drying out.

The Epidermal Structure

“The most frequently occurring epidermal cell is called the keratinocyte, or cornifying cell. These cells are produced in the lower levels of the epidermis and then migrate gradually outward over a two-week period. The outermost part of the epidermis is known as the stratum corneum, or horny layer, and by the time the keratinocytes reach this part of the epidermis, they have changed from plump, round cells with nuclei to flattened cells that have started to lose their nucleus. This takes another two weeks. This process is known as cornification and is important in helping the skin to fulfill its function as a barrier,” according Dr. Nicholas Lowe author of Away with Wrinkles.

Skin Structures in the Dermis

The Dermis is the layer of skin that lies under your epidermis. The dermis is composed of three types of tissue that are present throughout but not in layers.

The types of tissue are:

• collagen
• elastic tissue
• reticular fibers

The Dermis contains sensory nerves, sweat glands, blood vessels, and hair follicles.

Subcutaneous Tissue

The subcutaneous tissue is a layer of fat and connective tissue that houses larger blood vessels and nerves. It is mostly made up of fat cells called lipocytes that are held together by collagen bands. This layer is important in the regulation of temperature of the skin itself and the body. The size of this layer varies throughout the body and from person to person.

All three main layers; the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous layer play an important part in how the outer surface of the skin appears. At the surface, skin is a tough outer layer that keeps the body waterproof and protected from invaders such as the sun, cold, burns, viruses, and other germs. But it also fights off the stress we inflict upon it with razors, bleaches, hair products, makeup, and abrasive skin-care products.