More than just a pretty face
The skin is one of the most important organs in the body and deserves to be treated well. Without its efficient workings, we would be unable to survive
Quick: What’s the biggest organ in your body? It may come as a surprise but it is, in fact, the skin. The skin is one of the most important organs of the body, not only because of it’s ability to hold our insides and everything else in place but also because of its many functions. It’s far more than just decoration even though we have come to treat it merely as a sign of beauty. Some functions are so important that unless most of the skin is working efficiently, we could die.
“The skin is made up of three layers and each plays a vital part in our bodies’ anatomy,” said Marinos Kyriacou, dermatologist. “Even when you look at your hands and see nothing happening (naturally), the fact is that at that very moment new cells are forming”. When the cells are ready, they start moving toward the top of your epidermis (the first layer); this process can take up to a month but we lose about 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells every minute of the day, so you can imagine the amount of work the skin goes through. These cells make up 95 per cent of the skin; the rest is melanin. The second layer is the dermis, which is under the epidermis and contains nerve endings, blood vessels, oil glands, sweat glands, collagen and elastin. The function of water conservation is dependant on both the epidermis and dermis. The third layer is subcutaneous fat and is what helps keep the body warm and absorb shocks. This is also where follicles have their roots.
But it’s not enough to know what goes on under our skin. When we come face to face with horrific accidents, we then understand.
“The reason why second or third degree burns are so serious is because when the skin is destroyed over a large area, there is no way of controlling the rate at which water is lost or of regulating the temperature of the body or of controlling infection,” said Kyriacou.
Someone who has lost over half their skin is unlikely to survive.
So what are the functions of the skin?
Protection
From the environment. The heat and light that the sun produces are partially reflected by the stratum corneum (horny layer) at the skin’s surface; the rest is absorbed by the melanin in the epidermal cells and some are scattered within the skin. All three processes contribute to the vital function of protecting the nuclei of the cells in the epidermis and the collagen of the dermis.
Watertight
The skin prevents water loss from the body. Throughout our lives, bodies naturally lose water by constant gentle evaporation through the skin although we are clearly unaware of this process. Preventing excessive water loss is exceptionally important in itself – both to the skin and to the body as a whole. In a normal epidermis, the water content gets less the closer to the surface: it makes up to 75 per cent of the weight of the basal layer and only 15 per cent of the stratum corneum, which is a particularly important barrier to the control of moisture loss.
Temperature control
The skin keeps body temperature under control. All primates have glands in the skin that produce sweat, which is used to control body temperature by evaporation. The sweat that we don’t notice is called insensible perspiration. Evaporation needs heat energy, so evaporating sweat removes heat from the body and keeps down the body temperature. Sweat production could be a response to external temperature but it could also be the answer to a highly seasoned curry and occasionally to stress, a reaction to the increased production of adrenaline.
Sensation
We wouldn’t be able to feel without our skin. Sensation is obtained through our skin, which contains a variety of nerve endings that react to heat, cold, touch, pressure, vibration and tissue injury.
Absorption
Absorption is another function. Oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide can diffuse into the epidermis in small amounts, while some animals use their skin as their sole respiratory organ. In addition, medicine can be administrated through the skin (such as Botox injections), by ointments or by means of adhesive patches, such as a nicotine patch.
Storage
Did you know that the skin also stores and synthesises? It acts as a storage center for liquids and water, as well as a means of synthesis of vitamin D and B. Through UV, the synthesis is linked to pigmentation, with darker skin producing more vitamin B than D and vice versa.
Communication
And last but by no means least, is the aesthetics and communication functions. Through paling, blushing and other expressions regulated by the autonomic nervous system, the skin serves as a communication system.
Skin myths
Fatty foods cause acne
“There’s no scientific evidence that any foods cause acne. Many factors contribute to acne, including bacteria and fluctuating hormones that may lead to an overproduction of oil. Genetics also come into play: if your mother or father had acne, the chances are you will too,” dermatologist Marinos Kyriacou said.
You can’t get skin cancer where the skin don’t shine
Malignant melanoma can occur anywhere on the body because genetics also plays a role in its development. “People also mistakenly assume that if they tan easily or they’re olive or dark-skinned, they don’t have to worry about skin cancer. While it’s true that those with darker complexions have more melanin that doesn’t mean they’re at no risk for the disease. Everyone should keep an eye out for suspicious new moles, especially in areas like ears, armpits, soles of the feet, buttocks and genitals,” Kyriacou explained.
A tan from a tanning bed is safe
Salons will tell you that it’s safe because they’re not exposing you to the UVB rays that will cause a burn. But the rays used can also cause damage that can lead to skin cancer.
Sunbathing is good for psoriasis
While it’s true that ultraviolet light improves psoriasis, a skin condition that causes red, scaly, flaky patches on the skin, experts do not recommend sunbathing. Light therapy is used but it’s done in a controlled setting.
Stress makes skin conditions worse
This one’s true. “Experts have noted a link between stress and aggravation of many skin ailments. They say that stress may exacerbate an inflammatory response, which can worsen the appearance of acne, psoriasis and eczema. Consider it a newfound reason to make time for that yoga or meditation class,” Kyriacou said.
