By Eliza • 10 Comments
There are so many facts about your skin, but I feel like some are more important than others. So, with that in mind, I’ve collected some that I think you should know. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and it’s something you want to understand so you can take care of it. After all, it has to last you a lifetime, right? Knowledge is the best tool you can have, so check out these facts about your skin and you’ll be ready for anything life throws your way.
One of the coolest facts about your skin is that it varies in strength and thickness depending where on your body it’s located. That means some of your skin is tougher and can withstand more, like the skin on your knees and elbows, for example. Other areas of your body, such your eyelids and your belly, are more prone to injuries or abrasions because the skin is weaker and thinner.
The average person’s weight is about 15 percent skin, according to experts. Some people have more skin than others due to their height, but skin is pretty stretchy so you don’t lose or gain any skin when you lose or gain weight. If you’ve lost or put on a significant amount of weight, you know that your skin looks different once you return to your previous size. Understanding that your skin contributes to body weight can help you as you figure out your healthy number on the scale.
Your skin has three different layers, the epidermis, dermis and subcutis. Each layer has a different job to do, but collectively, they protect your body from damage to the muscles and bones. Your skin won’t stop any injury from occurring, but it can sure make a difference in the event of an accident.
Most of your skin contains hair, though you can’t see it on every place on your body. This hair insulates your body and helps keep you warm, but also provides a first line of defense for your skin.
I know that bacteria has an ick factor, but the truth is that your body is home to more than 1,000 kinds of bacteria. Not all of it is harmful and some is even helpful. It makes its home in places that include your groin, armpits, feet, back, neck and face. It’s responsible for a variety of jobs, but taking a regular shower can keep the harmful and stinky kind at bay.
Your body depends on a variety of nutrients to keep it healthy and strong, which makes it pretty important to eat a balanced diet. You need adequate amounts of vitamins A, C, D and E to keep your skin looking and feeling radiant.
According to experts, you shed about 30,000 dead skin cells per second. They slough off naturally, but also when you brush against something or scratch an itch. Don’t worry though, because your body regenerates those cells so you’re never going to run out. You might want to run the vacuum to collect them all though.
Did any of these facts surprise you? I am in awe at how self-sufficient and amazing our bodies are. Do you have anything to add?