Did you know that our skin is our largest organ?
Our skin is amazing in more ways that one. While we only see the outside, there’s so much happening on the inside to keep our body safe and functioning. The truth is, there’s so much more to our skin that we might think.
In order to protect our skin in the best way possible, it’s important to understand how it works and what it needs. From understanding the aging process to being aware of the options available to better our skin, there are simple ways to ensure that we are taking care of our skin.
If you’d like to get more acquainted with your dermis, check out these ten fun facts about skin. Trust us, you’ll no longer take your skin for granted after acquainting yourself with these facts!
1. Skin in Our Largest Organ
While many assume that our heart or our lungs are the body’s largest organ, it’s actually our skin that takes the number one place.
In being the largest organ, it’s also worth noting that our skin has more than 11 miles of blood vessels. Let’s consider that four laps around a football field make one mile!
2. Lots of Skin
Our skin covers an incredible 18 square feet of our body. Of course, this varies based on height but the average human body has roughly this amount of skin. For the taller folk, this can even reach as much as 25 square feet.
Can you believe that our skin accounts for about 16 percent of our total body weight? With how much skin humans have, it’s no surprise that our skin is actually very heavy.
3. Sweat Release
Come the hot weather, our skin is known to release up to three gallons of sweat each and every day!
To counteract this sweat, of course, we use body deodorants to control the sweating or disguise the odor. However, there are certain areas of our bodies that simply do not sweat. This would be our eardrums, nailbeds and the margins of our lips.
4. Varying Levels of Thickness
Throughout our bodies, there are different levels of thickness for our skin.
Your skin is the mock thick on your feet and the least thick on your eyelids. In fact, the skin on our eyelids is as thin as 0.2mm.
5. Skin is Multilayered
Did you know that your skin consists of three different layers?
The “subcutis” is the innermost part and consists of fat and collagen. The “dermis” is the middle layer is accounts for 90% of the thickness of our skin. Lastly, the epidermis is the outer layer which is that part that we see.
This last layer is the barrier between our body and the environment that surrounds us.
6. Skin Shedding
As humans, we continue to shed an incredible amount of skin cells each day.
To put this into perspective, consider that over a 24 hour period, we shed over 1 million skin cells. And, in one year, humans average shedding about 8 pounds of skin.
Where do all these skin cells end up? Take a look around the room and see all of the dust settling on the television screen, the picture frames and the coffee table.
7. Acne Most Common Skin Problem
Did you know that acne is the most common skin problem amongst humans?
Over 60 million Americans are suffering from active acne. And, for those between the ages of 12 and 24, over 85% will experience some form of acne.
When you consider these statistics, it’s clear that acne is a problem that affects millions of people. However, it’s not a threatening issue and can often be controlled with product and medication.
8. Skin Begins Aging at 20
Once we turn 20, our collagen levels begin to decrease. When this happens, our skin is more prone to wrinkles and sagging skin.
While this is a slow process, there are certain steps that we can to increase our chances of aging gracefully. For example, Vitamin C helps delay aging by slowing the rate at which collagen depletes.
For those concerned about the condition of their skin, there are more significant steps that you can take to improve the look of your skin. If you’re looking to address any skin-related concerns, be sure to contact the American Skin Institute. Here, a number of skin issues can be corrected in a safe and efficient way.
9. Scars
Our skin has the ability to scar when there is damage to the dermis -this is our second layer of skin.
Consider that the collagen in a scar is different from the collagen in the non-damaged skin. Scar collagen does not have the ability to shed or replace itself. As a result, scarred skin is unable to grow any hair.
10. Nutrition is Important for Our Skin
To really love the skin you’re in, you’re going to want to ensure that you are fueling your body with a healthy diet.
If you’re only ingesting your body with junk, this is going to be very apparent on your skin. On the other hand, if you’re ingesting your body with fruits, vegetables and the proper hydration, the appearance of your skin will improve drastically.
To improve your skin, be sure that you are providing your body with plenty of vitamins, minerals and water. It’s also important to note that skipping meals can leave skin looking dull and discolored.
Fun Facts About Skin
Upon first glance, our skin seems relatively straightforward.
But, once we get to know the multiple functions of our skin and what it does for our bodies, it’s clear that our skin is pretty incredible. These fun facts about skin are sure to provide you facts that reveal just how amazing our skin is.
After all, let’s account for the fact that our skin is 16% of our total body weight. And, while our skin is capable of renewing itself, it’s important to understand how to best take care of our skin.
Remember, our skin is our largest organ and it’s important to keep this organ functioning correctly. To do so, it’s best to understand how our skin works and what it needs to flourish.
If you’re interested in reading more about healthcare and the human body, be sure to visit our blog!
