Facts About Skin

The body’s first defence against any external factors which can be harmful to your sensitive internal systems is SKIN, being our more strange and interesting organs. Your skin medically termed the Integumentary System, isn’t just to protect or cover your muscles, organs, and bones. It helps regulate your body temperature, dispose of waste materials, and plays a vital role in your overall health. Our skin is very much surprising— and not just because it can regenerate itself or like something out of a Sci-Fi film. Below, we share 8 Facts About Skin That'll Knock Your Socks Off.

• Your Skin is Your Largest Organ

When most people hear the word “organ” they think of internal organs like the heart, liver, kidneys, etc., but your skin is also an organ! Actually, your skin is the largest organ of the body! Any part of the body that is self-contained and has a specific vital function is an organ. The primary function of the skin is to protect against external factors that could damage your internal organs.

• Skin is 15% of Your Body Weight

• Your Skin Sheds

Your skin constantly sheds dead cells, about 30,000 to 40,000 cells every minute as it likes to continually update itself!  That’s nearly 9 lbs. of skin cell shedding every year! This shedding allows your skin to renew itself every 28 days. Thickness can also be affected by gender, age,  and habits like smoking which can change the elasticity of the cells and other traits. And to keep this process going, you must protect your skin and follow some good skincare habits.

• Dust is Comprised Mostly of Dead Skin

About 50% of the dust in your home is dead skin so you can blame that on your skin too! In fact, dead skin is responsible for over 1 billion tons of dust in the atmosphere. 

• Your Skin Contains over 1000 Species of Bacteria

Your skin can contain more than 1000 different types of bacteria along with other microbes, viruses, and pathogens, most of which are considered completely friendly. These bacteria can provide many benefits to the skin, like helping in healing injuries, fighting infection,  reducing inflammation.

• Dancing Makes your Skin Glow

Dancing or any form of exercise that makes you sweat also makes you glow. This workout or any kind of exercise improves your blood circulation as well as detoxifies the skin cells.

• Dry Skin with Excessive Caffeine

Excessive caffeine can lead to premature wrinkles. Also, caffeine increases stress hormones that increase the amount of oil secreted by the sebaceous glands, leading to acne. The skin needs to be a healthier barrier to prevent any infections to the internal organs and can cause skin rash, skin allergy, or any kind of skin disease. Dry skin is a cracked and broken barrier. Therefore, you must cut back on caffeine to prevent any long-term skin damage. 

• Sleeping Position Impact the Skin

Sleep is good for you as it helps your body repair and rebuild. Your skin needs to breathe while sleeping, so sleeping on your side or on your stomach pushes your face into the pillow, hampering the skin’s follicles and causing clogged pores, acne, and fine lines. So the ideal position to sleep would be on your back or at some angle with the pillow.

How It Protects The Body

Skin is made up of three layers. Every layer plays a special role. The outermost layer is the epidermis which mainly consists of cells called keratinocytes, made from the tough protein keratin (also the material in hair and nails). 

It takes approximately five weeks for newly created cells to work on their way to the surface. The covering of dead skin is known as the stratum corneum, or horny layer, and its thickness varies considerably, like more than ten times thicker on the soles of the feet than around the eyes. The epidermis nurtures defensive Langerhans cells, which alert the body's immune system to viruses and other infectious agents. 

The middle layer, the dermis, makes oil and sweat, contains nerve endings, directs blood to your skin, and fosters hair growth.

The bottom layer is called the hypodermis or subcutaneous fat layer, which connects your skin to your muscles and bones, serving as padding to protect them. It also helps in regulating the temperature of your entire body.

Take Away

Your skin is truly amazing when you think about it. So how well are you caring for your skin? This largest organ in your body demands proper attention just like your heart, teeth, and stomach. There’s no better way to love your skin than to keep it healthy and protect it. Beyond protecting your skin from the sun and washing your skin with a good face wash for oily skin every day. The best way to know your skin is to make regular dermatology appointments for routine skin checks.