The Skins FunctionsThe skins functions are many and varied. There at least 9 maybe more functions of the skin. The saying 'that beauty comes from the inside out and outside in', is true of the skin. Skin is not just there for decorative purposes, it plays a vital role in keeping us healthy. Skin does the following things: 1. Protection It acts as a defense system protecting us from harmful agents like bacteria, virus or other infections that are trying to get into our body. 2. Sensation Our skin contains a variety of nerve endings that react to heat and cold, touch, pressure, vibration, and tissue injury. 3. Heat regulation The skin contains more blood than what it needs. This allows the skin to keep the body from over-heating or suffering from being too cold. 4. Control of evaporation The skin provides a relatively dry and semi-impermeable barrier to fluid loss. When skin is lost because of burns it is no longer able to stop massive fluid loss. 5. Aesthetics and communication Others see our skin and can assess our mood, physical state and attractiveness. Practitioners of Chinese medicine use the condition of the skin to diagnosis ailments. 6. Storage and synthesis The skin acts as a storage center for lipids and water. It also acts as a means of synthesis of vitamin D by action of
ultraviolet rays. Sweat contains urea. The urea's concentration is 1/130th that of urine. 8. Absorption Oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide can be absorbed into the epidermis in small amounts. In addition, medicine can be administered through the skin. This can be done by using ointments or by means of adhesive patch, such as the nicotine patch. 9. Water resistance The skin acts as a water resistant barrier so essential nutrients aren't washed out of the body. When we review the 9 functions of the skin it helps us appreciate the importance of the skins functions
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