What Is The Function Of The Skin?

The major function of skin is to provide a barrier between you and the outside environment. Without this protective covering, your life on earth would be impossible. The outermost layer of the epidermis is made up of sheets of dead cells that serve as the major waterproof barrier to the environment. In addition, special cells called melanocytes inside the epidermis produce brown pigment which helps protect you from ultraviolet light.

The middle layer, the dermis, provides a tough, flexible foundation for the epidermis. In the dermis, sweat glands and blood vessels help to regulate body temperature, and nerve endings send the sensations of pain, itching, touch, and temperature to the brain. Oil glands produce a substance called sebum which help to moisturize the skin. Hair is primarily decorative in humans. The fat under the dermis provides insulation and helps to store calories.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body (app. total surface area 1.8 sq m and wt 11 kg) that performs a number of functions mainly related to the protective aspect. The skin comprising of the epidermis, the outermost layer, the dermis, the intermediate layer and the innermost subcutaneous layer encases the body in a semi porous protective covering forming a barrier against the entry of bacteria and other pathogens, chemicals and as a shock absorber shielding the inner organs and helping in preserving the harmony of internal body processes.

It also protects the body from harmful radiations like from the sun's ultraviolet rays to a certain degree by way of melanin (pigment) production. It regulates the body's temperature and the moisture levels by way of perspiration and constriction or expansion of the underlying blood vessels; various oils secreted by the sebaceous glands keep the skin firm and supple and prevent drying.

The subcutaneous fatty layer provides insulation in cold weather and also as a reserve for storing of excess calories. The skin also helps in the metabolism process by eliminating toxins like urea by way of sweat, synthesis of Vitamin D in the presence of sunlight and also aids in the healing process of external wounds.

The skin including the nails provides support to the body muscles in various mechanical activities; the hair and nails which originate within the layers of the skin protect vulnerable body parts from damage. Lastly, the skin is also a sensory organ comprising of nerve receptors with the sense of touch playing a vital role in comprehending the external world.

The human skin has a multitude of functions to perform; in fact, experts say that unless one's skin performs its designated functions well, one may die!
First, the skin efficiently regulates the amount of water that we lose everyday. This also means that the skin regulates the body temperature, and keeps the body either cool or warm, depending on the need of the moment. This leads to another important function of the skin: it controls infections. This is why burn victims are often unable to gain an effective control over the infections in their body, when they suffer from the complications of skin loss due to burns. Another important function that the skin performs is that it offers us protection against the harmful effects of the sun which produces great amounts of heat and light, which can well harm our body. The skin is an important part of our body; let's preserve it!