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The skin is the largest and heaviest organ of the body. It has a total surface area of about 1.5-2 square meters and in weight we are talking about 3-5 kg of weight depending on the body volume.

The skin has 3 layers:

• The epidermis is a cellular layer, which will have a barrier function.
• The dermis is made up of fibers (collagen and elastic, hyaluronic acid) that will have a supporting and elasticity function.
• The hypodermis, which is made up of fat and blood vessels of larger caliber

The epidermis is the most superficial layer of the skin and consists of 5 layers. The cells that make up the epidermis are called keratinocytes. From the deepest layer of the epidermis, which is the basal layer, the youngest keratinocytes differentiate until they reach the most superficial layer, the corneal layer, where the oldest cells die and release a substance called keratin. Keratin will provide waterproofing as it repels water.

The skin will therefore have 4 basic functions:

• Barrier function that insulates the body from external agents thanks to this hydrolipidic hand that we have just mentioned and thanks to which it will also prevent water loss.
• It allows the organism to communicate with the outside world, since it will have pain, heat, cold, pressure receptors…
• It has a sun protection function since melanocytes, which are the cells that give color to the skin, will produce melanin when stimulated by UVB and UVA radiation, which in turn protects the skin from these radiations.
• It plays a very important role in maintaining body temperaturethrough vasodilation and vasoconstriction and sweat production.

Now that you know more about your skin and its functions, take care of it and see a dermatologist for any abnormalities.