Skin Structure

Your Skin consists of three layers:

• Epidermis
• Dermis
• Subcutaneous Tissue

The Epidermis
Epidermis is further subdivided into 5 Layers (from deepest to most superficial layer):

• Stratum basale
• Stratum spinosum
• Stratum granulosum
• Stratum lucidum
• Stratum corneum

The epidermis is a fairly thin layer. Its thickness varies around the body, depending on the special needs of that area.

The epidermis is itself made up of several layers. On the surface is the horny layer - the stratum corneum. This layer is made up of dead cells, which are continuously being shed. The cells are shed off as small aggregates which are normally too small to be seen; sometimes, however, these aggregates become larger and are then visible as scales. This is exactly what happens in dandruff and when our skin is deprived of moisture.

Below the layer of dead cells are stacks of living cells comprising the stratum malpighi. The stratum malpighi can be divided into three differentiated sublayers. These are the stratum granulosum (the granular cell layer), the stratum spinosum (the prickle or spiny cell layer), and the stratum basale (the basal cell layer). This layer produces the main skin protein known as epidermis. The innermost layer of the epidermis or the basal layer is where new cells are produced. These new cells take about a month to travel to the surface. In some diseases, however, the movement of the cells to the surface is speeded up and this also results in scaling.

The Dermis
Dermis consists of two sub-layers:

• The Papillary dermis and
• The Reticular dermis

The dermis is a much thicker layer than the epidermis. It is made up of a connective tissue framework in which are embedded blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, several types of glands, hair and a whole variety of cells. The connective tissue of the dermis is made up predominantly of a protein called collagen. Presently, this protein is being popularly used for the treatment of a variety of skin problems like wrinkles and scars. Elastin or elastic fibres are the other type of protein fibres in the dermis.

The dermis also contains a complex system of bleed and lymph vessels and a highly complicated nervous system. The nerves receive and pass on an endless stream of valuable information to the body. Any type of skin massage is thought to facilitate the drainage of lymph glands and also to enhance the circulation of blood.

The middle layer, the dermis, provides a tough, flexible foundation for the epidermis. In the dermis, sweat glands and blood vessels help to regulate body temperature, and nerve endings send the sensations of pain, itching, touch, and temperature to the brain. Oil glands produce a substance called sebum which help to moisturize the skin. Hair is primarily decorative in humans. The fat under the dermis provides insulation and helps to store calories.

The dermis has three types of glands: the apocrine glands, the eccrine glands and the sebaceous glands.

The Subcutaneous Tissue

Below the dermis is the fat storage bank of the skin. The amount of the fat stored varies in different parts of the body. In some parts of the body it has been given fancy names like' cellulite'.

The reticular region is attached to underlying organs, such as bone and muscle, by the subcutaneous layer, also called the hypodermis or superficial fascia. The subcutaneous layer also contains nerve endings called lamellated or Pacinian corpuscles that are sensitive to pressure. Nerve endings sensitive to cold are found in and just below the dermis, while those sensitive to heat are located in the middle and outer dermis.