Structure and Function of Skin

Skin
Skin is the largest organ of the body
It is a protective covering for the skeletal
system and vital organs
It contains many special structures
including : follicles, hair, nails, sweat gland
and sebaceous gland
Skin is very elastic and at the surface is a
dead substance which is constantly being
shed and replaced by new growth
Our skin is composed of a protein known
as keratin
Hair is also composed of this substance
Skin the differences
Skin Soft Keratin
Grows in flat
sheets
Contains more
moisture - than hair
Less sulphur
than hair
Hair Hard Keratin
Groes in fibers
Contains less
moisture than
skin
More sulphur
than skin
Structure of Skin
The different layers, nerves & glands of
the skin are known as the structure of the
skin
Skin is a protein called soft keratin
There are three layers of the skin
1. Epidermis
2. Dermis
3. Subcutaneous tissue
The Epidermis
The epidermis is the outer or toplayers
and is made up of five sub layers. From
the top layers they are called
1. Stratum Corneum
2. Stratum Lucidum
3. Stratum Granulosum
4. Stratum Mucosum
5. Stratum Germinativum
Corneum layers
The corneum
layers is the top
layer of your skin.
This is the layer
you can see
here the cells are
dead and
continually flake off
the surface
Lacidum layer
The lucidum layer
is only found on
the palms of your
hand and soles of
your feet. This is
layer thickens to
fight mechanical
attack
Granulosum layer
The granulosum
layer is where the
cells are found with
small granules in
them, thought to
make the skin
tough. Your lips
and skin under
fingernails do not
have this layer in
them
Mucosum layer
The macosum
layer where tissue
fluid is stored
Germinativum layer
The germinativum layer is the bottom layer
and here the cells are constantly
reproducing. The melanocyte cells are
also located in this layer
As new cells are formed and mitosis takes
place, the old cells are pushed towards the
surface of the skin
The Dermis Layer
This layer is under the epidermis layer and
is sometimes called the true skin
This layer contains the blood vessels
These divide into a network of smaller
vesseles called capillaries
The blood sipplies essential materials for
growth, nourishment and repair of the skin
Nerves found in the dermis layer are
sensitive to pressure, pain, heat touch and
cold
The nerves of the skin act and warning
systems to the body and alert us to
temperature changes, degrees of
pressure, whether something is hard or
soft
The body will react to pain, pressure or
degrees of temperature
It is through these nerve endings that the
dermis layer is able to protect the body
parts undermeath
The dermis has two sub layer :
1. Papillary Layer
2. Reticulary Layer
Papillary Layer
This is where blood vessels called
capillaries and nerve endings are found
Melanocytes which produce pigment can
be found where the papillary layer joins
the epidermis
Reticullar Layer
This layer helps give skin its elasticity. In
this layer there are Blood and Lymph
vessels, nerve & sweat glands.
Collagen is found in this layer and is the
most abundant protein in the dermis
Subcutaneous Tissue
This is a layer of fatty tissue between the
dermis & muscles & bones
It protects you from injury & helps to keep
you warm
The Function of Skin
As a hairdresser there are six function of
skin that you need to know about :
1. Sensation
Specialised nerve endings in the skin are
able to detect, warmth, coldness, touch
and pain
2. Protection
- Protection from Physical Attack
- Protection from Chemical Attack
- Protection from Bacteria
- Protection from Ultra Violet
3. Excretion
The sweat glands in the skin excrete
sweat which is a waste product of the
body. Sweat helps to control body
temperature
4. Absorption
The skin absorbs health, giving vitamins
through the action of ultra violet rays upon
the skin.
5. Regulation
The skin helps regulate the body
temperature by means of perspiration.
6. Secretion
Sebum is an oil that is secreted from the
sebaceous gland. It helps to waterproof
the skin & stops it from drying out.