How Does the Skin Work?

[RoyParker]

The skin is one of our body's heaviest and largest organs. Depending on body size and mass, it weighs between 3.5 and 10 kilos (7.5 and 22 pounds) and is 1.5 to 2 m2 in size.

The skin protects the body from harmful environmental factors such as dampness, cold and sunlight, but also from germs and harmful substances. It plays an important role in regulating body temperature. It is through our skin that we pick up sensory information: this is how we feel heat, cold, pressure, itchiness or pain. Some of this information triggers a reflex. For example, we automatically pull our hand back if we accidentally touch a hot burner on the stove.

(Source: NCBI)

[Hidden]

????

[lovesradio]

I found a really good TED talk on the different skin layers and how different skin conditions impact on the effectiveness of the barrier role of the skin.

[RoyParker in reply to lovesradio]

Hey, I would like to watch that