The Skin

The skin has three layers and consists of different types of cells:

• The epidermis or outer layer is very thin (about 20 cells deep or as thick as a sheet of paper). It is composed of keratinocyte cells. The top layer of the epidermis is the stratum corneum or horny layer. It is made up of dead keratinocytes that are constantly shed and replaced. Squamous cells are the living keratinocytes underneath. The lowest part of the epidermis is made up of basal cells. These are constantly reproducing to form new keratinocytes.
  
• The dermis lies below the epidermis. It ranges in thickness from one to four millimeters and contains tiny blood and lymph vessels. These increase in number deeper in the skin.
  
• Melanocyte cells are found in the transitional layer between the epidermis and dermis. These cells produce a brown-black pigment called melanin, which determines skin coloring and helps protect the skin against the damaging rays of the sun. As a person ages, melanocytes often proliferate, forming concentrated clusters that appear on the skin surface as small, dark spots, which are usually harmless moles or liver spots.

• Skin cell division slows and the dermis starts to thin. Fat cells beneath the dermis begin to diminish. The ability of the skin to repair itself diminishes, so wounds are slower to heal. Thinner skin means greater vulnerability to injuries and damage.
  
• Skin loses its elasticity when the underlying network of elastin and collagen fibers, which provides scaffolding for the surface skin layers, loosens and unravels. When skin is pressed, it sags and forms furrows instead of springing back to its original position.
  
• The sweat and oil secreting glands atrophy, depriving the skin of their protective water-lipid emulsions. The skin’s ability to retain moisture then diminishes and it becomes dry and scaly.
  
• The skin is also more fragile and may bruise and tear easily and take longer to heal.

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