Overview
The skin, considered to be the body’s largest organ, has a very complex composition. Its purpose is indispensable to life, according to doctors at Health Communities. The skin acts as an interface between the body and the environment. There are a number of ways in which the skin serves as a defense against disease, a barrier to outside forces, a communicator of the body’s internal workings and a conduit for temperature control.
Function
There are two layers to skin: the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the outside of the skin and includes melanin that produces skin pigmentation. The epidermis also retains fluid and acts as the final outpost for skin generation and cell turnover. Cells move through the body and are sloughed off in the epidermis in about six to 10 weeks. The dermis holds the blood and circulates fluid through the body.
Effects
A healthy dermis constricts and expands in response to heat and cold. It supplies nutrients to the outer layer of skin and produces collagen that gives skin its elasticity and support. It also holds the hair follicles and sweat glands. While sweat is a way for the body to cool itself off, it also serves as a way to rid the body of toxins and other waste that can cause disease.
Benefits
The epidermis keeps out bacteria and viruses that bombard the body like a protective shield. It holds the nerve fibers that tell the body when it is in danger, such as when it comes too close to a flame or a sharp object. The two layers of skin regulate temperature so the heart, lungs and other organs can respond accordingly. The skin serves as a conduit for vitamin D that comes from sunlight. Vitamin D is important for bone health and for the immune system.
Warning
According to Dr. Rachel Wenner at CentraCare Dermatology, of all the organs in the body, the skin is the most common organ to get cancer, with approximately 3.5 million cases diagnosed each year. Melanoma also is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. While sun exposure is vital for vitamin D metabolism, the skin must be protected from the sun’s burning rays with sunscreen and avoidance. The ultraviolet rays of the sun are cumulative, which increase the risk of cancer with age.
Considerations
In addition to wearing sunscreen and staying out of direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., there are other measures you must take to maintain skin health so that it will continue to serve as a barrier to disease. Wash skin gently to remove dead skin cells and allow fresh skin to flourish. Use soap only on areas that tend to give off body odor and that collect dirt so as not to destroy valuable skin oils. Moisturize the whole body to seal in fluids and oil. Drink water to replenish fluid stores.
