Functions of the skin
The largest organ of the human body is the skin, which performs many functions in the body.
Key functions of the skin
- protects the body from external environmental influences and water loss
- makes contact with the environment, thus enabling the perception of the environment (e.g. touch, heat, pain)
- important metabolic processes (e.g. vitamin D production)
- cooling the body by sweating
- circulatory and thermoregulation by means of the dermal vascular system
- is involved in immune processes
The skin's defence mechanism against damaging effects
- Mechanical trauma - The stratum corneum thickens (callus formation), the dermis and subcutaneous fat tissue becomes elastic.
- Protection against alkaline environmental effects - by the buffering capacity of the hydrolipidic film layer and the protective acid mantle.
- Penetration of skin bacteria and harmful substances - Protected by the permeability barrier of the stratum corneum, the protective acid mantle.
- Dehydration - formation of hydrolipid, epidermal lipids, natural moisturising factors.
- UV radiation - Increased melanin synthesis and light-induced thickening of the skin.
- Heat - Bleeding, the blood vessels in the skin dilate.
- Cold - The blood vessels in the skin constrict.
We need to protect and care for our skin to help these defence mechanisms.
