Your skin is really the key to your youth, vitality, and wellness. This section provides some interesting facts about what makes up your skin and how it functions.

The Skin’s Layers

• Your skin has basic three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous fat layer.
• The epidermis is the first layer of skin that you can actually see and touch. It is comprised of translucent cells that produce keratin; a protein that protects you from potentially detrimental factors in the environment.
• The epidermis hosts cells that produce melanin; the substance that gives your skin its color.
• Your epidermis controls the outside appearance of your skin and helps to you to retain moisture.
• The dermis is the second layer of your skin, it contains the proteins elastin and collagen; this is where damage occurs and also thins with age.
• The dermis contains nerves, blood vessels, hair follicles and sweat glands.
• The nerves and receptors in the dermis send you pain signals when you cut yourself.
• The subcutaneous is the deepest layer of your skin. It is made up of fat and collagen.
• The subcutaneous layer helps you keep heat in your system and protects your internal organs from injury and shock.

The Skin’s Functions

• Maintains your proper body temperature
• Gathers sensory information from your environment
• Protects you from disease and infections
• Enables your immune system to function correctly
• Shields you from sun’s ultraviolet rays and dangerous chemicals
• Helps you retain water
• Helps produce essential minerals, vitamins and proteins