Overview Of The Skin

Last Updated on November 6, 2022.

Healthy Skin

• The epidermis and dermis are the two primary mammalian skin layers.
• The epidermis is the topmost layer of the selectively permeable skin barrier.
• It is called the dead skin layer, which provides waterproofing and serves as a barrier to damage.
• The dermis serves as the location for appendages of the skin including hair follicles and quills.
• Healthy skin is important to maintaining a formidable barrier to external stimuli including protecting against dehydration,  environmental changes, and diseases such as bacterial infection.
• Any modifications to the skin’s barrier equilibrium may trigger skin conditions such as dryness, itchiness, or dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)
  • Healthy skin can be hard to maintain due to numerous environmental factors
  • Temperature
  • Sun
  • Pollution
  • Water itself can cause dry skin if one showers in excess or in hot water because it removes the oils the skin naturally secretes for moisture.

Additional Articles

• Problems Associated With Dry Skin
• Causes of Dry Skin
• Diagnosis of Dry Skin
• Treatment of Dry Skin
• Other Skin Conditions

Contributor:  Gail Smith