The skin, as the largest organ of the body, is designed to maintain body temperature and enable the sense of touch. It is also a protection against microbes. Because the skin is the boundary between the external environment and the body, it has the property of self-healing and renewal. It is also a defense barrier against external microbes and has features that protect the body against physical, chemical, thermal and light damage. When we are talking about facial anatomy and anatomy related to aesthetic medicine, attention is drawn to muscles or vessels and nerves. But one of the most important parts of the anatomy of aesthetic medicine and the cadaver course is the anatomy of the facial skin layers. In this article we will talk about facial skin layers and things you can learn from a cadaver course.
What are the layers of the skin?
The skin has three basic layers: epidermis, dermis and hypodermis, each of which plays a specific role in the skin.
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skin epidermis
Epidermis is the outermost layer. This layer is the waterproof barrier that gives color to the skin. Its main roles are:
- Making new skin cells
- Skin coloring
- Protecting the body from the external environment
Human sheds about 500 million skin cells daily. In fact, the outermost parts of the epidermis consist of 20 to 30 layers of dead cells. This layer of skin structure is constantly making new cells in its underlying layers. Within 4 weeks, these cells reach the surface, harden and replace the dead cells.
Keratinocytes are the most common cell type in the epidermis. Their job is to act as a barrier against bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses, heat, UV rays, and water loss. The epidermis has no blood vessels. Skin color comes from a pigment called melanin, which is produced by melanocytes. Cosmetic products such as cleansers, exfoliators, restorers or moisturizers affect this layer. During microneedling and PRP trewatments we work with this layer a lot.
Why is the epidermis important?
With age, this layer thins and makes it difficult for the skin to retain moisture. Ceramides play a vital role in the skin’s ability to maintain moisture, which can protect the skin in old age and against direct sunlight.
In the epidermis layer, there is a natural moisturizing factor called NMF. Long-term contact with strong cleaning agents and changing weather conditions can lead to a decrease in NMF and make the skin vulnerable and dry. For aged and damaged skin, substances such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) can give the skin a healthier and fresher appearance.
Dermis
The second layer or dermis is 5 to 7 times thicker than the epidermis and is connected to it by the basal connective membrane. The dermis acts as connective tissue and protects the body from stress and strain. It also gives strength and elasticity to the skin. In addition, their main roles are:
- Sweat and fat production
- Create a sense of touch and blood circulation to the skin
- hair growth
The dermis can perform these tasks is because of hair follicles, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels that are located in this layer, and it is actually home to a number of glands, including sweat glands and sebaceous glands, that produce sebum. The dermis also contains receptors that detect pressure, pain, and heat.
Facial skin layers and subcutaneous structure
Why is dermis important?
- It nourishes the epidermis with the help of its wide and delicate network of blood capillaries.
- With the help of a strong network of collagen and elastin protein fibers, it strengthens the skin tissue.
- It provides elasticity and elasticity to the skin.
- It acts as a water storage source.
- It protects the skin against physical damage.
- It plays an important role as a sensory receptor and an internal regulator.
Hypoderm
Under the dermis, hypodermis or subcutaneous fat tissue is located. This layer is the deepest part of the skin structure. It’s not technically part of the skin, but it helps the skin attach to bones and muscles. The hypodermis contains mainly fat, connective tissue, and elastin, which is an elastic protein that helps tissues return to their normal shape after being stretched.
The subcutaneous tissue is the connective tissue that attaches the skin to the underlying organs and enables the skin to slide over them. The hypodermis often contains fat cells, the number of which depends on the body area and their size depends on the nutritional status, and in areas with sufficient thickness, it is called Panniculus adiposus.
Due to the abundance of fat cells, this layer is very elastic and acts as a shock absorber (like the function of springs in a car). This layer plays a very important role in maintaining blood vessels and nerve sensors.
The difference in the structure of the skin of men and women
Human bodies are generally very similar and differ only in minor cases. The skin is no exception. Gender is the most important factor in creating differences in skin. The secretions of male gonads increase the thickness of the skin and the strength of the dermis layers. Men’s skin is thicker and rougher than women’s skin, and men’s sweat glands are more than women’s. There is more melanin in men’s skin cells, which is why men’s skin is often darker than women’s skin.
Facial skin layers and subcutaneous structure
How thick is each skin layers?
After knowing the types of skin layers, it is better to know the depth of penetration of each of these layers. Keep in mind that the thickness of skin layers depends on different conditions. For example, the thickness of the neck skin layers is not the same as the abdominal skin; But in general, the following can be mentioned:
The thickness of the epidermis layer: this layer of the skin, which is the outermost layer, has a thickness of about 0.01 to 0.02 mm. All dead and live skin cells are located in this layer. The thickness of the epidermis is different in all types of skin. For example, its thickness is only 0.05 mm on the eyelids and 1.5 mm on the palms and feet.
The thickness of the dermis layer: This skin layer is the thickest of the three layers of the skin and makes up approximately 90% of the skin thickness and has a thickness between 1 and 4 mm. As we mentioned, this layer of skin contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, sebaceous glands and sweat glands. For this reason, its thickness is greater than the epidermis layer.
The thickness of the hypoderm layer: The hypoderm or subcutaneous tissue, which is the deepest layer of the skin, has a thickness of 1 to 3 cm.
You can get a good understanding of skin layers thickness during cadaver course. Cadaver training can help you improve your anatomy knowledge dramatically. It’s all about anatomy, improving your anatomy knowledge will lead to safer practive, better results and less complication.
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Aging effects on skin
Aging is always accompanied by changes in the skin. For example, in older age, the keratinocyte cell conversion process changes from two weeks to forty days, and skin becomes more sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Also, as a result of aging, the skin will become drier, thinner and more vulnerable. Due to the slower process of cell renewal, if any damage occurs, it will heal later. Thinning of the dermis layer, reduction of collagen production, reduction of skin elasticity and elasticity, easy fragility of collagen fibers, appearance of lumps and skin wrinkles are among the side effects of aging on the skin.
On the other hand, with the reduction of the sebaceous glands and as a result, the reduction of fat secretion under the skin, we see a disruption in the protective layer and a decrease in skin moisture. Therefore, the probability of dryness, irritation, burning, itching and redness increases. Reduction of sweat glands and reduction of lactate and urea also happen over time. Also, as we age, the production of vitamin D decreases and the hair follicles also decrease. Another of these changes is the change in the structure of the basal layer. Therefore, the possibility of trauma and spontaneous injuries such as skin tearing increases. This is why skin care is extremely important, especially in old age.