15 Interesting Things About Skin That You Didn't Know

Anatomy of Human Skin

Humans have been created in the best of form and shape. There are so many systems running simultaneously in our body that we are seldom aware of all of them. Some of them are under our conscious control while most are working on their own based on the requirements of the body. Beautiful skin is one of such organs of the body that seems simple but actually performs a lot of functions. Some of them are:

1. Skin is a unique organ of the body that covers all other organs. It is the largest of all the other sense organs and is not as simple as it looks. There are numerous systems attached to this organ and these all work in a coordinated fashion to aid the body in performing its functions smoothly. 
2. As mentioned, it is the largest sense organ of human body and measures up to two square kilometers when stretched. By weight, it comprises about 15% of the body weight.
3. Skin is the first defense line of the body against any foreign objects including virus and bacteria. It performs different important functions for the body that makes us to live easier and healthier. Skin always plays its role in keeping you healthy. You might not be noticing it but your skin is working all the time for that.
4. Based on the climate, the skin helps to regulate body heat. In case of severe heat, perspiration helps to cool down body temperature while in extreme cold the shivering action of the body produces heat to cover the lack of heat in the body.
5. Human skin consists of three layers. The out one is epidermis, which is composed of dead cells and is waterproof. The middle layer is dermis that contains sweat glands and hair. The lower most layer is sub-cutis having fats and larger blood vessels attached to it.
6. Not all skin in every part of the body is same. It depends on the location. The thinnest skin is on the eyelids (about 0.02 mm) while the thickest skin is under the feet (1.4 mm)
7. Dead out layer of the skin and fingernails is formed by keratin, which is a kind of protein.
8. This organ of the body works continuously and renews itself in the cycle of 28 days.
9. Sweat produced through the skin is actually odorless. It is the bacteria present in the skin that contribute to the bad smell of the sweat.
10. The glands producing wax in the ear sweat glands specialized for this purpose.
11. Hollow parts of skin like the space between the toes are house for different types of bacteria and skin fungus. About 14 types of fungi are found among the toes of human foot.
12. Color of human skin is variable in different parts of the world, mainly depending on the climate and life style. Newborn babies take about six months to develop a permanent skin color.
13. Acne on the skin is caused by the over production of the cells lining sweat glands.
14. Vitamins are helpful for the skin in different ways. Vitamin A treats sun damage and cellulite of the skin. Vitamin D reduces spots on the skin and helps to avoid red skin. Vitamin C works as antioxidant and provides protection against sun. Vitamin E also acts as antioxidant and helps to cure sun damage and aging.
15. It recovers from any skin lesions by making a scar tissue on the wound. Scar tissue is of dark color and is often without any sweat glands and hair.