The human skin
Everything you always wanted to know!

Interesting facts about skin
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. It has a total surface area of 1.5-2 square meters and can weigh up to 10 kilograms. It acts as an external boundary between the human body and its environment and has different appearances. Almost 96 percent of the body surface is surrounded by the field skin. Fine furrows give it a polygonal, i.e. polygonal, shape. This is individual for each person. Hair roots and various types of glands emerge from the furrows. On the fingers, the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet lies the rough inguinal skin, which makes up 4 percent of the body surface. Due to its large proportion, the focus below is on the field skin.
What functions does the skin have?
The most important function of the skin is protection. As part of the immune system, it forms a barrier that makes it difficult for bacteria, viruses and other pathogens to penetrate. At the same time, it regulates the release of the body’s own substances. The skin also protects the inside of the body from mechanical impacts, such as blows or stings. It also protects against harmful UV radiation and produces vitamin D under the influence of sunlight. This supports calcium absorption in the body, which promotes the growth and maintenance of teeth and bones. Sebaceous glands are located on the majority of the skin surface. These are exocrine glands that secrete sebum, a mixture of different fats, to the outside. This secretion keeps the skin supple and prevents the body from drying out. In addition, sebum protects against skin diseases, pathogens and chemicals. Finally, it should be mentioned that the skin is the most important sensory organ in the human body. Receptors on the surface of the skin absorb stimuli in the shortest possible time and then transmit them.
How is the skin structured?
The skin is between one and three millimetres thick and consists of three layers with different functions. The uppermost layer is called the epidermis. It consists of a multi-layered, keratinized squamous epithelium. The cells of the epidermis are constantly renewed so that the loss of superficial, dead cells has no negative effects. In addition to the production of new cells, the epidermis is responsible for the exchange of nutrients and waste products. It is interesting to note that it contains no blood vessels. Below this layer is the dermis, also known as the dermis. This is connective tissue that extends to the subcutaneous fat. The main components are fibroblasts, collagen fibers and elastic fibers. They ensure that the skin is strong but also elastic. There are various types of glands in the dermis. The sebaceous glands are mainly responsible for the formation of pimples. On average, there are almost 100 of them per square centimeter of skin. They are most active on the face and chest and are usually attached to hair. There are also sweat glands and apocrine glands. The lowest layer of skin is also called the subcutis. It consists of loose connective tissue and a large proportion of fatty tissue. This layer protects the inside of the body and makes an important contribution to heat conservation.
How and why does our skin change?
Both external and internal factors put a lot of stress on the skin every day, which can upset its balance. It therefore changes throughout the entire life cycle. This constant process first becomes particularly noticeable with the onset of puberty. At the beginning of this stage of life, around 85 percent of the population suffer from acne, a skin condition characterized by blackheads and pimples. This disease is promoted by hormonal changes, sugar and UV radiation, among other things. As a rule, it declines from the age of 20, although the disease can also occur in a milder form at an older age. The trigger for the development of spots and blackheads is an overproduction of the sebaceous glands. The increased sebum in combination with dead skin cells leads to blockage of the corresponding glands. This causes the affected area to become inflamed, creating an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. This results in red patches with a purulent center.
However, constant stress can also lead to other changes in the skin, such as physical skin damage, intolerances or autoimmune diseases.
The number of collagen and elastic fibers decreases with age. This is accompanied by a loss of moisture and elasticity, which leads to the formation of wrinkles.
Skin changes often occur due to a combination of different factors. In the following, we will take a closer look at the influence of the external factor stress on the development of spots.
How can stress change our skin?
As already mentioned, mild forms of acne can still occur at a later age. Stress can be a favorable external factor for pimples and blackheads. In stressful situations, the hormones cortisol and adrenaline are increasingly released, which increase the production of sebum by the glands. At the same time, their production lowers the skin’s protective barrier, which favors the colonization of bacteria. This creates an environment that promotes inflammation and can lead to the formation of pimples. This process occurs particularly during prolonged periods of stress. In addition, chronic stress reduces the ability to heal wounds, which is associated with longer periods of inflammation. In addition to stress, poor nutrition and fluctuating hormone levels often play a major role.
What can help against stress pimples?
First of all, it is important that the pimples are not squeezed out. Contaminated fingernails can spread the bacteria further and make the inflammation worse. Home remedies, such as creams with tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar, are recommended for immediate symptom relief. In order to eliminate unpleasant skin changes in the long term, you should first think about possible causes. If the main cause could be stress, it is best to reduce it immediately. Of course, this is difficult to do in many cases, which is why it is advisable to contact a specialist as a second step. Dermatologists deal with various skin changes on a daily basis and can certainly help you with your problem. If you have any questions about acne or would like treatment, please contact me.