Did you know? The skin is the largest and one of the most important organs the human body has. The skin forms a protective barrier between the external environment and the internal organs.
Skin is strong, protective, powerful and it can heal itself.
Speaking of healing itself – even if our skin is strong, our skin can still be damaged by common everyday injuries such as; grazes, cuts, burns and sunburns. Any damage leading to a break in the continuity of the skin can be called a wound. An open wound accelerates the formation of new skin, in order to close the damaged skin as quickly as possible. The faster the skin heals, the less chance there is of developing scarring.
Three important parts of our skin:
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Epidermis
The epidermis is the outermost of three layers that make up the skin. The epidermis is composed of several thin layers that consist of melanocytes and keratinocytes. Melanocytes produce melanin, a pigment that gives skin its colour and protects it from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. Keratinocytes produce keratin, a water repellent protein that gives the epidermis its tough and protective quality. Our intact skin formats a barrier against environmental damage like heat, UV radiation and water loss.
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Dermis
The Dermis is composed of a thick layer of skin that contains collagen, connective tissue, fibers, blood vessels, sweat and hair follicles.
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Subcutaneous Tissue (Hypodermis)
The deeper Hypodermis is made of fat and connective tissue.