The skin is the largest organ of the body. Since it covers the entire body, the skin makes up at least 1/5 of the body’s total weight. It is made up of two layers- the epidermis which is the outer covering, and the dermis which is the inner layer just underneath the epidermis.
The skin is built like a fortress with a strong wall shaped around it. The skin not just protects the internal organs such as the heart and liver, but it also performs a lot of functions such as regulation of the body temperature and retention of bodily fluids.
Understanding how the skin works entails a closer look at how the skin is made up. The epidermis is composed of flat cells referred to as squamous cells. Under it are round cells referred to as basal cells. At the deepest portion of the epidermis is the melanocytes cells which produce melanin. Melanin is combination of compounds that give the skin its color.
