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The Strength Of Skin

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As the first line of defense against the external environment, the epidermis is continuously replenishing and shedding tens of thousands of dead cells every minute to protect the body from:
Mechanical impact: Skin acts as the first physical barrier to withstand any pressure, stress or trauma. When this mechanical impact is stronger than the skin, a wound will occur, as a breakage through skin with loss of one or more of the skin functions.
Fluids: Due to the tight packing of cells in the outermost layer of the epidermis (the stratum corneum layer), our skin helps us retain necessary body fluids and moisture, and protects us from the absorption of external fluids or liquids. We can bathe, swim and walk in the rain without concern.
Our skin prevents …show more content…

This protection is provided by the melanin pigmentation in the epidermis. The skin and its pigmentation helps protect us from many medical illnesses like skin cancers, but because it doesn’t offer complete protection, we should avoid excessive exposure …show more content…

Vasodilation (relaxing of small blood vessels) in the dermis makes it easier for the body to release some heat and lower the body temperature through skin. In vasoconstriction
(contracting small blood vessels), the dermis retains some of the internal body temperature. The fatty subcutaneous layer of the skin also acts as an insulation barrier, helping to prevent the loss of heat from the body and decreasing the effect of cold temperatures.
Sensation: An important function of the skin dermis is to detect the different sensations of heat, cold, pressure, contact and pain. Sensation is detected through the nerve endings in the dermis which are easily affected by wounds. This sensation in the skin plays a role in helping to protect us from burn wounds. The skin's sensation can protect us from first and second degree burns, but in cases of third degree burns it is less effective, as we don’t feel any pain due to the fact that the nerve endings in the skin are destroyed (which indicates a more severe injury).
Endocrine function: Skin is one of our main sources of vitamin D, through the production of
Cholecalciferol (D3) in the two lowermost layers of the epidermis (the stratum basale and

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