What does your skin do?

The skin provides several important functions.

• Immune function - the skin cells present in the epidermis protect the body against external agents.
  
  
• Barrier function - the skin protects the internal structures of our body against injuries, and yet allows exchange of fluids and gases between the body and the environment.
  
  
• Sensory organ - through the specialized nerve endings in the skin, the body is able to perceive various sensations evoked by external agents.
  
  
• Temperature regulation - alteration of the rates of skin blood flow and sweating helps maintain our skin and body temperature.
  
  
• Helps protect against harmful effects of ultraviolet light through our pigment cells.
  
  
• Metabolism - Vitamin D is produced through the interaction of ultraviolet light on precursors of vitamin D present in our skin.