Understanding Facial Skin Layers: Epidermis, Dermis & Hypodermis

To provide your patients with a positive experience in your clinic, you must know the basics about skin care, human anatomy, and how treatments must be crafted to meet one’s particular needs. Those are common knowledge for medical professionals; however, it’s always a good idea to refresh that knowledge and share it with customers to ensure they are more aware of the topic. This is exactly why we’ve decided to write this article and help you recollect all the essentials that may be helpful for both specialists and aesthetic medicine enthusiasts.

Continue reading to find interesting information and discuss all the vital points about skin layers. Additionally, we’d like to remind you that FillerSupplies is a reliable supplier of dermal fillers and other cosmetic injectables, so if you need high-quality products to use in your clinic, feel free to check out all the available items and add them to your cart. We’ll gladly assist in case you have any questions!

The Definition of the Skin

Many people believe that skin is just a protective top layer of the body that holds everything together and covers essential organs to keep them safe. Well, yes and no.

The skin is the largest organ of the body. It is made of water, minerals, proteins, and fats. It regulates body temperature and shields the body from harmful germs. Besides, numerous nerve endings help us feel sensations, such as reacting to cold or heat.

Your skin is a part of the body’s outer covering, just as nails, hair, oil glands and sweat glands. All of them are part of the integumentary (in-TEG-you-MEINT-a-ree) system, where integumentary literally means ‘outer’.

What Are the Different Layers of the Skin?

We have three skin layers, which are interdependent: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Each of these layers is vital and performs a certain task for us.

The base layer – hypodermis – helps insulate us. In the middle, we have the dermis, which is responsible for strength and flexibility. On the very top is the epidermis – an outermost layer that protects us from external irritants. Let’s learn more about each layer and understand their functions to comprehend the importance of each one thoroughly.

The Basal Layer: Hypodermis

The basic thermal innermost layer is also well-known as a subcutaneous tissue. It mainly consists of fat cells, which gives the skin a good volume, shape and bounce. It also acts as a cushion to the muscles, bones, and organs in case of injuries.

Another awesome thing about hypodermis? The deeper layers of the skin ensure we don’t get cold when the temperature outside drops.

As for the aging process and its signs in the hypodermis, facial fat levels typically decrease, causing a loss in skin plumpness. On top of that, redistribution of facial fat may be the reason for skin sagging, which is why most older patients in the cosmetic beauty sphere need deeper injections to get rid of age-related facial hollowness.

The Main Tasks

• Has connective tissues. Its main task is to connect skin layers to muscles and bones;
• Acts like a cushion to muscles and bones. It protects muscles and bones from injuries;
• Regulates body temperature. Hypodermis keeps us from feeling too cold or hot;
• Helps blood vessels and nerves. Nerves and blood vessels go down from the middle layer to the basic one, increasing in the hypodermis. They connect it to the rest of the body, acting similarly to the glue that holds everything together.

The Middle Layer: Dermis

This supportive tissue is responsible for skin structure, elasticity, and strength. We are sensitive to temperature and touch thanks to all the blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerve endings in this skin layer.

The dermis also contains three main elements that create the extracellular matrix: elastin fibers, collagen fibers, and proteoglycans. Thick collagen fibers are important for resistance, and elastin fibers are vital for skin elasticity. Proteoglycans are needed to keep skin hydrated and plump and prevent dryness.

However, there are a few weak spots when it comes to the dermis. Of course, we are talking about acne. Typically, pimples form in the hair follicles and oil glands, which can eventually develop into more serious problems if not taken care of on time.

As for the dermis aging process, elastin and collagen fiber in the skin cells break down with age, which decreases its firmness, thickness, and elasticity. In addition, proteoglycans decrease, and this dry out the skin significantly.

The Main Tasks

• Collagen and elastin storage. Collagen is a beneficial protein that is responsible for the skin’s strength. Elastin, on the other hand, is crucial for flexibility. Together, they maintain skin plump and smooth, helping to avoid unwanted sagging;
• Hair growth. Roots of hair follicles are attached to the middle layer of the skin;
• Produces oil. Oil glands are vital to keep skin soft and smooth;
• Responsible for senses. Nerves in the dermis send the brain a signal when something is too cold, the texture is odd, etc. It also helps people feel pain;
• Blood supplies. Blood vessels are in the dermis, and their main task is to provide nutrients to the epidermis, keeping all skin layers healthy;
• Sweat production. Sweat glands release sweat through the skin pores, which is essential for body temperature regulation.

The Top Layer: Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin acts as a protective barrier against external irritants (namely bacteria, toxins, weather conditions, etc.). It is much thinner than the other skin layers.

The epidermis mainly consists of keratinocytes, which contain a protein called keratin. They kind of resemble bricks that stick together with fatty acids and water to create the skin barrier. Keratinocytes start their life in the basal layer of the skin and then rise higher as they grow, mature, and become stronger.

On top of that, the outer layer of the skin is responsible for the skin color, its photoprotection abilities, as well as pigmentation patterns. All because it controls melanogenesis – how the skin’s surface reacts to UV light by producing melanin while enjoying the much-needed vitamin D we get from it.

As for the aging process, with time, skin renewal slows down, giving it a rougher, older appearance. Free radicals and other toxins may increase fine lines and wrinkles. The distribution of melanin also worsens, causing skin pigmentation.

The Main Tasks

• Protective barrier functions. The epidermis layer prevents germs and bacteria from entering the body and bloodstream, which may be dangerous for one’s well-being;
• Provides skin color. The epidermis contains melanin, which is responsible for giving the skin its pigment. The amount of melanin defines the color of the skin, eyes, and hair. People with more melanin tend to have darker-tone skin and tan faster (still, it is crucial to apply sunscreen to reduce the chances of skin cancer development);
• New skin cells’ creation. The body sheds dead skin cells daily, and the new ones instantly replace those. On average, a person gets an entirely new skin every 30 days.

Tips on Proper Skin Protection

Some things are inevitable when we age. Collagen and elastin production decreases later in life, which is why we notice such issues as skin sagginess, lines and wrinkles, and other aesthetic problems that may be pretty annoying.

In order to preserve skin health, follow these little tips and tricks that may be quite beneficial if incorporated into your routine:

• Apply sunscreen every day to protect the skin from harmful UV rays;
• Eliminate tanning because it negatively affects skin structure;
• Check skin and moles regularly to ensure nothing dangerous is going on;
• Use gentle cleansers to wash your face;
• Shower regularly and always apply lotion to keep the skin moisturized and smooth;
• Learn how to manage stress to make your skin look better;
• Avoid bad habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, eating junk food frequently, and so on.

The Summary

In order to keep skin healthy and glowing, it is important to understand its structure, including its layers and their peculiarities. Each one has its unique function, and if combined together, they perform an essential job of keeping us safe, protected, and healthy. The skin is our largest organ, so knowing how to take care of it is the best thing you can do for your own and your patients’ well-being. Hopefully, this article helped you refresh your knowledge. Stay safe!