You may not realize it, but your skin is one of the most important organs in your body. The skin helps protect you from the environment, allows you to feel, and regulates body temperature, among many other things. Comprised of three layers- epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis- the skin is more than what you see on the outside. Check out these seven cool facts about the skin below and learn more about your body.
7. Skin contains 11 miles of blood vessels
Seventh on our list of cool facts about the skin concerns blood vessels. These allow for healthy skin because the vessels bring oxygen and nutrients to your cells, removing taste and regulating temperature. With around eleven miles of blood vessels underneath your skin, it’s easy for them to dilate to let out heat and constrict to keep you warm.
6. Skin has a microbiome
Next up on our list of cool facts about the skin is its ability to be a microbiome. While most people think of the gut when referring to a microbiome, the skin also has a microbiome. It is made up of trillions of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These help with fighting infection, controlling inflammation, and helping the immune system recognize possible threats.
5. Going to bed with makeup on can age skin faster
Coming in fifth on our cool facts about the skin list is the negative effects of sleeping with makeup on. Sleeping with makeup on your face can age your skin up to seven times faster than normal. This is because it prevents the skin from properly repairing itself overnight, leading to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Wearing makeup can also cause clogged pores, dehydration, and irritation.
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4. Skin is an “emotional” organ
Fourth on our list of cool facts about skin is the emotional capabilities of skin. While most may think the brain holds this title, the skin is the most sensory of all the organs. It reacts to temperature, pressure, vibration, pain, and pleasure but is also highly reactive to emotional stress. Research has shown a correlation between stress and skin, which can exacerbate skin issues or trigger sweating, itching, and hives.
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3. The skin on your mouth is 200 times more responsive than fingerprints
Getting into the top three cool facts about the skin is the sensitivity of your mouth. The mouth’s skin is 200 times more responsive than your fingerprints. This puts the lips high on the scale of most sensitive to body parts, containing a large amount of nerve endings. The nerve endings respond quickly to touch, temperature, and pressure. This helps with functions like eating, drinking, and expressions.
2. Skin sheds 30,000 skin cells a minute
Ranking second on our cool facts about the skin list is the amount of skin cells shedding off your body every minute. While you may not see the old, dead skin flake off the face or body, it happens constantly. It takes around a month for new skin cells to make their way to the surface. However, this process is longer in older individuals. This shedding allows your skin to stay fresh and bright and can be helped along with products that contain retinoids or alpha hydroxy acids.
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1. One square inch of skin is made up of 19 million skin cells
Last but not least on our list of cool facts about the skin is just how many skin cells you have. Within one square inch, 19 million skin cells are present. Many of these skin cells have its own specific job, such as melanocytes, which produce melanin pigment or the skin’s color. The majority of skin cells are keratinocytes, which include basal and squamous cells. In addition to skin cells, a square inch of skin also contains 300 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, and 1,000 nerve endings.
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