Did you know that the skin is made up of three layers? The epidermis, dermis and hypodermis; these are the layers supported by the facial muscles. Interdependent, these muscles are attached deep down to the hypodermis. They then cover the bony structure of your face. In particular, they control facial expression by allowing the skin to wrinkle, but it's also thanks to them that we can speak, eat, drink, etc...
What are these three layers made of?
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The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. It's made up of cells called keratinocytes, which produce keratin, a protein that gives the skin strength (think of it as the skin's cement). It also contains pigment cells called melanocytes that produce melanin, which gives the skin its color.
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The dermis is the skin's intermediate layer. It's made up of fibroblasts, super cells that produce collagen and elastin fibers, giving the skin its strength and suppleness. It is these fibroblasts that are stimulated during manual massage, boosting the production of these two proteins.
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The hypodermis is the deepest layer of the skin. It is composed of fat cells and also contains collagen and elastin fibers that help maintain the skin's shape. It also contains the entire lymphatic system, which is one of the key factors in skin health, both in terms of appearance and proper functioning.
What are the functions of these layers?
- The epidermis' main function is to protect the skin, thanks to its keratinocytes and the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is made up of various lipids that protect the skin against external aggression and dehydration. The skin is also covered by a hydrolipidic film that acts as an additional protective barrier. This film is mainly composed of sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands.
- The dermis is a layer of the skin that provides structure and support thanks to the presence of collagen, elastin and muscle fibers. It also provides nutrition to the skin and helps maintain a stable body temperature thanks to its blood vessels. Sensory receptors in the dermis detect tactile sensations, pressure, heat, cold and pain. The dermis also produces proteins important to skin health, such as collagen and elastin, and is capable of regenerating in response to injury.
- The hypodermis plays an important role in several bodily functions. Firstly, it acts as a thermal insulation layer to regulate body temperature. It also protects body tissues and internal organs from shock, injury and infection. In addition, the hypodermis stores fats that can be used as a source of energy for the body. It also supports the skin by attaching it to underlying tissues, and can absorb certain medicinal substances.
