Calvert Creak
Skin Care Information
Skin Functions
Although we often only think of our skin as our beauty organ, conveying valuable information to the outside world about who we are, it may pay to remember that our skin is a fully operational organ of our body with a multitude of functions apart from providing “eye candy” to other humans. In fact, your skin is your largest bodily organ.
Your skin functions as a protective barrier, helping to defend your body from outside environmental influences.
Your skin helps to maintain your ideal body temperature of 37 degrees celsius, and protects your body from extremes of temperature. It functions similarly to a thermostat, either keeping heat in or cooling you down through sweating.
Your skin is one of the many components of your immune system. The epidermis layer of the skin contains specialised cells named Langerhans cells that help to prevent toxic microorganisms from entering your body. These cells engulf and devour bacteria, viruses and fungi before they can cause further damage within your body.
Your skin protects your internal organs from the damage that would otherwise be inflicted by the ultra-violet radiation in sunshine.
Your skin is entirely responsible for your sense of touch, helping you to communicate with the outside world.
Your skin is responsible for your sense of pain, helping you to avoid dangers before they damage you. If your skin did not sense pain, you could severely burn your hand if you touched a hotplate without even knowing it.
Your skin is your primary organ of sexual attraction. Perspiration contains compounds named pheromones that are subtly detected by the opposite sex. When a male subconsciously detects certain female pheromones he becomes sexually excited. Men also emit pheromones subconsciously detectable by women.
Your skin helps to maintain your body’s water balance. It helps to prevent dehydration by preventing excessive loss of water.
Your skin is responsible for some of the waste disposal functions of the body. This excretion process occurs 24 hours a day. Skin pores transport various toxins including carbon dioxide and excess water out of your body via perspiration.
Your skin has connections with your nervous system. Think of embarassing moments that cause you to blush, or the cold sweat that occurs when you are frightened or startled. This occurs because your sweat glands have been stimulated by your parasympathetic nervous system.
